Submitted By: Charlita Whitehead
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Presentation By: Charlita Whitehead
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Department: Growth Management
FORMAL TITLE:
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East Ocala Community Redevelopment Area Residential Property Improvement Grant for parcel 2820-046-006 in an amount not to exceed $17,550.
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BACKGROUND:
Program Objective:
The East Ocala Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) Residential Property Improvement Grant is designed to incentivize reinvestment in aging structures, address blight conditions, and enhance livability and taxable value. Funding is provided through the CRA trust fund consistent with the adopted CRA Plan and Florida Statutes (Chapter 163, Part III).
Project Summary:
Grant ID: CRA26-0014
Applicant: Winterhurst Properties, LLC / Jonathan Tomhave
Address: 103, 107, 111, 113, 115, and 117 NE Sanchez Avenue, Ocala, FL 34470
Parcel ID: 2820-046-006
Scope of Work: The proposed project includes surface preparation and repainting of multiple residential structures.
Quote(s): Low Quote(s): $23,400, High Quote(s): $33,900
Recommended Grant Amount: $17,550
Property Information:
The subject property, Parcel ID 2820-046-006, is a 0.77-acre multi-structure residential site consisting of six detached residential buildings located at 103, 107, 111, 113, 115, and 117 NE Sanchez Avenue. The site includes two primary frontage structures at 103 and 107 NE Sanchez Avenue, with four additional residential structures located to the rear of the parcel. The parcel has a total taxable value of $795,588.
Maximum Grant Amount:
The maximum grant amount is $20,000, covering up to 75 percent of project costs. The attached grant framework outlines the elements of eligible work.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
Eligibility Review:
Staff verified property location within the CRA, compliance with program guide, and confirmed that work will begin after approval. The scope addresses conditions of slum and blight in an area with a high share of aging housing stock and substandard structures, improving livability, visual quality and economic development prosperity.
The property is located within the Tuscawilla Historic District and is eligible for the Historic Building Improvement Grant; however, the applicant has elected to apply to the Residential Property Improvement Grant program.
Bid Review:
Staff reviewed the submitted contractor estimates, which ranged from $23,400 to $33,900. Both contractors include exterior surface preparation, repainting, and restoration of existing architectural features across all six residential structures. Staff discussed the cost difference with the applicant, who indicated that the difference is attributable to each contractor's pricing methodology, overhead, and approach to project execution rather than significant differences in the overall scope of work. Staff's review found that both estimates address the same observed site conditions and proposed improvements.
Site Visit Review:
Staff completed a site visit on April 15, 2026, and confirmed that the property exhibits widespread exterior deterioration across multiple structures, including peeling, fading, and failure of existing paint systems. Conditions are most visible on the frontage structures at 103 and 107 NE Sanchez Avenue, which directly face the public right-of-way and impact the corridor appearance along NE Sanchez Avenue.
Bid submissions from multiple contractors confirm the need for comprehensive exterior rehabilitation, including surface preparation, spot priming, and multi-coat exterior painting systems. Bids also include restoration/minor cosmetic repairs of existing exterior components such as shutters, trim, soffits, gables. The submitted scopes are consistent with observed site conditions and reflect full exterior repainting and preparation across multiple structures.
CRA Plan Compliance:
The proposed project aligns with the East Ocala CRA Redevelopment Plan by advancing goals to revitalize key corridors, stabilize residential neighborhoods, and preserve historic character. In accordance with Goal 3 - Improving vacant, dilapidated, and nuisance properties that are barriers to corridor and neighborhood redevelopment, and Objective 4 - Establishing programs to remediate these conditions for property reuse, this property presents an opportunity for targeted reinvestment to restore functionality and support neighborhood revitalization. Funding will be provided through the CRA Trust Fund, consistent with the adopted CRA Plan and the requirements of Florida Statutes, Chapter 163, Part III.
Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval. Refer to the attached Case Map and Aerial Map - CRA26-0014, Staff Supporting Documents - CRA26-0014, the Grant Framework, and Application Packet - CRA26-0014.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding:
Adequate funding is available in the East Ocala CRA Grants account 620-016-559-559-55-82010.
Disbursement:
Occurs as reimbursement after completion and verification of the approved scope of work. The payment will be made in the fiscal year when the project is completed and verified.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
N/A
LEGAL REVIEW:
N/A
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve
• Approve with Changes
• Table
• Deny