Submitted By: Roberto Ellis
presenter
Presentation By: Roberto Ellis
end
Department: Growth Management
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
title
Approve a Commercial Building Improvement Grant for property located at 903 NE Osceola Avenue, in an amount not to exceed $19,125
end
OCALA'S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Economic Hub, Quality of Place
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
NA
body
BACKGROUND: The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) North Magnolia Ocala subarea Commercial Building Improvement Grant encourages business owners to make exterior facade improvements. This initiative addresses deterioration trends, adding value to the CRA. Priority 2 of the North Magnolia Community Redevelopment Plan (CRA Plan) encourages the identification of potential areas of commercial and residential development and provides funds for fa?ade enhancements to make them aesthetically pleasing.
The attached grant framework outlines the elements of eligible work. The program framework was revised by City staff and was approved by the CRA Board on April 15, 2025, to increase the maximum grant from $10,000 to $20,000. Each property owner can submit one application per fiscal year. The maximum amount that can be awarded is now $20,000, covering up to 75 percent of the project costs.
Below is a summary of the application.
Grant Application ID #: CRA25-0025
Applicant: Eddie Lewis/ EBL Osceola Ave, LLC
Address: 903 NE Osceola Avenue
Parcel ID: 26100-001-01
Project Description: Exterior repainting of the 21,000-square-foot building.
High Quote: $27,900
Low Quote: $25,500
Recommended Grant Amount: $19,125
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: City staff processed the application following the established grant program guidelines. The key findings are outlined below.
* The property is currently occupied by two businesses: N & N Office Furniture and the offices of American Fire & Safety Supply Contractors.
* In 2019, the applicant was awarded a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) grant to sup...
Click here for full text