Submitted By: Marie Mesadieu
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Presentation By: Roberto Ellis
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Department: Growth Management
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Approve a West Ocala Community Redevelopment Agency residential property improvement grant for property located at 650 NW 5th Street, in an amount not to exceed $20,000
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Economic Hub, Quality of Place
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
NA
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BACKGROUND: One of the Statutory functions of the Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) is to undertake activities that facilitate the redevelopment and improvement of properties. The Residential Property Improvement Grant encourages homeowners to make exterior facade improvements, addressing neighborhood deterioration trends while adding value to the CRA.
The attached grant framework outlines the elements of eligible work. Each property owner can submit one application per fiscal year. The maximum amount to be awarded is $20,000.00, covering up to 75 percent of the project costs.
Below is a summary of the application.
Grant Application ID #: CRA24-45841
Applicant: Antoinette Hunt/ACG3, LLC
Address: 620 NW 5th Street.
Project Description: The project is to construct a new three (3) bedrooms and two (2) baths split-plan stucco block single-family home.
Low Quote: $159,900
Recommended Grant Amount: Not to exceed $20,000.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: City staff reviewed and processed the application following the grant program guidelines and evaluation criteria. The key findings are outline below:
• This project fits within the goals and objectives of the West Ocala CRA plan. The plan calls for expanding the housing stock and housing variety to further boost economic activity in the area. This new construction home project will allow a low-income family to become a homeowner.
• Priority #5 of the CRA Plan states, “Create means for residential growth to include more owner-occupied Residents”.
• The home will be approximately 1,311 square feet in size.
• The roof will be shingled with aluminum soffits. The home will have a luxury vinyl plank floor in the main areas and carpeted bedrooms.
• The home will be connected to City utilities.
• The Grant Review Committee (GRC) visited the property on September 9, 2024, to inspect and review the project.
• The West Ocala CRA Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee) met on January 23, 2025, and recommended grant approval.
The attached packet includes the application, cost estimates, and photographs of existing conditions. Staff recommends approval of the grant in the amount not to exceed $20,000.
FISCAL IMPACT: The grant being considered has adequate funding. Currently, the West Ocala CRA grants account (623-016-560-559-55-82010) has a balance of $696,508. The payment will be made in the fiscal year when the project is completed.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW: NA
LEGAL REVIEW: NA
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with changes.
• Table
• Deny