Submitted By: Roberto Ellis
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Presentation By: Roberto Ellis
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Department: Growth Management
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Approve revisions to the East Ocala Community Redevelopment Agency subarea commercial property improvement grant program
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Quality of Place, Economic Hub
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND:
One of the statutory functions of a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is to undertake activities that facilitate the redevelopment and improvement of properties. The intent of CRA commercial grant programs is to encourage business owners to make improvements that add value to the CRA, increase business activity, and reverse deteriorating trends along key corridors and target areas. Please refer to the attached document, titled Map - East Ocala CRA Boundary, for an aerial image of the subarea.
Staff proposes increasing the maximum grant from $20,000 to $50,000 and adding murals as work eligible for coverage under the grant. The revised framework reflects the expanded scope of work and the maximum grant that will be available, pending approval. Businesses that incorporate murals often experience an increase in foot traffic while also enhancing the visual appeal of the community. Please refer to the attached document titled Guidelines for Murals. These changes will enable the CRA to utilize its funding to attract additional investment from property owners or applicants for individual projects.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
• This commercial grant was approved by the CRA Board in October 2018, to encourage business owners to make improvements to building facades and sites. In February 2023, the CRA Board increased the maximum grant amount from $10,000 to $20,000 and the city grant match from 50 to 60 percent.
• The proposed amendment to the grant program is a necessary component of the comprehensive revitalization strategy for the subarea. A red line of the framework is attached.
• Since the creation of the CRA subarea in 2016, tax increment revenues have steadily increased year over year. Tax increment revenues for the East Ocala CRA subarea increased from $1,096,346 in Fiscal Year 2023-24 to $1,353,705 in Fiscal Year 2024-25. Fund reserves are currently $880,280.
• The Commercial Building Improvement Grant was established two years after the creation of the CRA subarea, once sufficient funds became available to support a grant program. Since then, the CRA has awarded approximately $122,680 in commercial grants, attracting approximately $756,662 in private capital investment. A total of 20 projects have been completed since 2018.
• After reviewing program demand and the available financial resources, staff, with the support of the East Ocala CRA Advisory Committee, determined that it would be prudent to increase funding for the grant programs to encourage investment in property improvements further and increase the positive impact of the programs.
• On April 2, 2025, staff presented the proposed mural guidelines to the Ocala Municipal Arts Commission (OMAC). The guidelines also outline the role of OMAC in the application review process. OMAC will review the artistic elements of proposed projects and will make a recommendation to the Advisory Committee.
• The East Ocala CRA Advisory Committee met on June 25, 2025, and recommended approval of the revised framework.
• If approved, staff will make the revised grant application available to the community via the City’s website and online application platform CivicServe.
Please refer to the attached documents for a red line of the existing framework, as well as the revised and reformatted version incorporating the changes. The revised framework has been reformatted to enhance readability. Staff recommends approval.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is sufficient funding in the East Ocala CRA grant account 620-016-559-559-55-82010. Grants are paid as a reimbursement when projects are completed, and the applicant’s investment is verified.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
N/A
LEGAL REVIEW:
N/A
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with Changes
• Table
• Deny