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Stuart CRA approves five business-improvement reimbursements totaling $42,830 in grant matches
Summary
The Stuart Community Redevelopment Agency unanimously approved five business improvement reimbursement awards for downtown properties, committing $42,830 in qualifying grant-match funding to leverage approximately $115,000 in private investment across the projects.
The Stuart Community Redevelopment Agency unanimously approved five business improvement reimbursement awards on June 22, authorizing staff to award matching grants to downtown commercial properties.
Jordan Pinkston, CRA program manager, told the board the program provides "a reimbursement grant of up to $10,000 in public funds per property to match private funds" and described the program's history and application criteria. Pinkston said the CRA has awarded 61 businesses to date, with a CRA investment of $444,000 that "leveraged approximately 2,000,000 in private investment," generating a total project value of about $2,440,000.
The five eligible applications approved were: - Avonlea Commerce Center (429 NE Baker Road): painting and wayfinding signs. Total estimated cost ~$31,000; requested match $10,000. The applicant previously received CRA funding in 2023 and 2025 and plans to reuse scaffolding to reduce costs. - Geary Law Building (27 SE Ocean Boulevard): milling, new asphalt, restriping and bumpers to address cracking and standing-water hazards. Total estimated cost $24,500; requested match $10,000. - Geiger Downtown LLC (multiple downtown businesses including Riverwalk Cafe, Spritz, Black Marlin and others): exterior painting and awning replacements. Total estimated cost ~$44,000; requested match $10,000. The property is in the newly designated historic downtown district. - Kaiser Dermatology (301 SW Osceola Street): landscaping and parking-lot upgrades to improve ADA compliance. Total estimated cost ~$5,660; requested match $2,830. - Owl House Properties (historic Owl House and Napoli Orthodontics): 21 impact windows and 2 doors at the Owl House and parking repairs at Napoli Orthodontics. Total estimated cost ~$51,925; requested match $10,000.
Pinkston said one application (the Espionage Building) was found ineligible because the property was not in compliance with its PUD. He reported that the total qualifying grant-match amount across the five eligible applications is $42,830 and recommended approval.
Board members discussed program design options for future cycles, including a possible smaller non-reimbursement grant for very small businesses, splitting the annual CRA allocation between matching and non-matching funds, and limiting repeat applicants. Board member Clark praised the program's local impact, saying the small grants are "transformative" for downtown character and private investment.
Board member Dee Berard moved to approve Resolution 03-2026 CRA to authorize the award amounts for the five applications; board member Gioby seconded. Clerk Mary conducted a roll-call vote; all present members voted yes and the motion passed unanimously.
Next steps: staff will finalize grant agreements with recipients; agreements include a requirement to maintain funded improvements for up to three years, and staff will oversee reimbursement following completion and documentation of eligible work.
