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Auburndale CRA reviews 5-year capital plan, flags CSX right-of-way and parks funding
Summary
The Community Redevelopment Agency reviewed a proposed five-year Capital Improvement Plan on May 19, 2025, focusing on potential costs to work in CSX railroad right-of-way, annual incentive loan funding levels and park projects including pickleball courts and a promised splash pad. Final approval is scheduled for Aug. 17, 2025.
The Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Auburndale reviewed a proposed five-year Capital Improvement Plan at a May 19, 2025 meeting, with Assistant City Manager Amy Palmer outlining the adoption schedule and staff answering board questions about project costs and funding.
The presentation explained how projects from the suggested project list were incorporated into the draft plan and noted the board will consider final approval at its Aug. 17, 2025 meeting; the city will present the budget next month, Palmer said. The plan as presented is informational at this meeting and will return with budget details for formal action.
Board members pressed staff on several practical issues. Board member Bill Sterling asked how much of the CSX railroad right-of-way the city could use and whether the city would need to pay CSX for use or crossings. Assistant City Manager Amy Palmer said, "CSX is possessive of their right-of-way," and cautioned that previous projects required land purchase or permitting when work is within or near CSX property.
Board member Dr. Dorothea Taylor Bogert questioned whether allocating $150,000 per year for the CRA's incentive loan program would be sufficient given several pending projects. Palmer said the city currently had "about $400,000" in that line item, that one pending project would reduce it to about $200,000, and that another potential project could require up to $300,000. Palmer said she believes a $150,000 annual allocation is sufficient given remaining funds but noted pending projects will affect balances.
Dr. Taylor Bogert also flagged a discrepancy between the packet copy and the on-screen presentation regarding a tennis court expansion and pickleball courts; Palmer acknowledged an error and confirmed the packet copy was correct. Board members debated park priorities, with Bill Sterling noting that "with the pickleball courts and the splash pad, one is for the older folks and the other is for the younger folks," and Dr. Taylor Bogert saying the board has "been promising a splash pad" and expressing concern about delaying it at Lake Ariana Park.
No members of the public offered comment on the CIP at the meeting. Earlier in the session the board approved the April 21, 2025 minutes on a motion by Dr. Dorothea Taylor Bogert, seconded by Keith Cowie; the vote was recorded as all ayes. The board also honored the late Cindy Price, an original CRA board member who died May 10.
Next steps: staff will present the municipal budget next month and the CRA is scheduled to consider final adoption of the five-year Capital Improvement Plan at its Aug. 17, 2025 meeting.
