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 North Magnolia Community Redevelopment Agency Commercial Building Improvement Grant for property located at 1735 NE Jacksonville Road, in an amount not to exceed $5,787
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OCALA'S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Economic Hub, Quality of Place
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
NA
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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 #: CRA25-0022
Applicant: Hershberger Holdings, LLC/BJ Trophies
Address: 1735 NE Jacksonville Road
Parcel ID: 2614-000-00
Project Description: Replacing the existing lighting on the front porch with LED lights and changing the sheet rock on the ceiling to vinyl.
Low Quote: $7,716
Recommended Grant Amount: $5,787
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: City staff processed the application following the established grant program guidelines. The key findings are outlined below.
* BJ Trophies is a retail store located in the North Magnolia CRA, specializing in custom trophies, awards, and gi...
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