110 SE Watula Avenue  
Ocala, FL 34471  
Ocala  
www.ocalafl.gov  
West Ocala Redevelopment Advisory  
Committee  
Minutes  
3:00 PM  
Thursday, May 15, 2025  
1.  
Call To Order  
Present  
Vice Chairman Ruth Etta Reed  
Brady Fritz  
Antoinette Hunt  
Dennis McFatten  
Dwan Thomas  
Chairman Barbara Brooks  
a.  
Roll Call  
Present  
Vice Chairman Ruth Etta Reed  
Dwan Thomas  
Antoinette Hunt  
Brady Fritz  
Barbara Brooks  
Dennis McFatten  
Carolyn Adams  
Absent  
2.  
3.  
Public Notice  
The public notice information for the West Ocala CRA Advisory Committee was posted on  
May 9, 2025.  
Approval of Minutes  
a.  
1.23.25 Draft Minutes.pdf  
APPROVED  
Attachments:  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
Brady Fritz  
SECONDER: Dwan Thomas  
AYE:  
Vice Chairman Reed, Fritz, Hunt, McFatten, Thomas, and Chairman  
Brooks  
4.  
Grants/Applications  
a.  
CRA25-0017 -1338 NW 14th Ave.pdf  
Attachments:  
Economic Development Specialist Marie Mesadieu provided a brief overview of  
CRA25-0017 a request to replace the windows for the property at 1338 NW 14th  
Avenue. The maximum CRA grant that can be allowed to be awarded is $20,000.00  
based on a 75% match.  
Ms. Brooks asked if it was a secondary or rental home. Ms. Mesadieu replied that the  
applicant lives in Fort Lauderdale, but this is their secondary vacation home in Ocala.  
Planning Director Aubrey Hale said staff can reach out to the applicant to ask more  
questions about how the home will be used. The request can be tabled for the next  
meeting to get clarification for the use of the property.  
Ms. Hunt said applicants applied based on the requirements for the grant.  
Mr. Thomas asked if it was an issue being a secondary home. Economic Development  
Manager Roberto Ellis replied the guidelines of the grant does not explicitly say that they  
are not allowed to apply, but it is a decision of the committee.  
Mr. McFatten asked if the request was denied, would it cause more damage to the home  
if there was a storm. Mr. Ellis replied the windows are in good condition if the request  
was tabled.  
Ms Reed said the request should move forward because it will have a good affect to the  
community.  
Motion to approve CRA25-0017 for the property at 1338 NW 14th Avenue  
Ms. Brooks requested clarification for secondary homes for future applicants.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
APPROVED  
Ruth Etta Reed  
SECONDER: Dwan Thomas  
AYE:  
NAY:  
Vice Chairman Reed, Fritz, Hunt, McFatten, and Thomas  
Chairman Brooks  
b.  
CRA25-0018 - 2405 NW 2nd St.pdf  
Attachments:  
Mr. Ellis provided a brief overview of CRA25-0018 a request to replace the roof for the  
property at 2405 NW 2nd Street. The maximum CRA grant that can be allowed to be  
awarded is $10,781.00 based on a 75% match.  
Motion to approve CRA25-0018 for the property at 2405 NW 2nd Street.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
APPROVED  
Brady Fritz  
SECONDER: Dwan Thomas  
AYE: Vice Chairman Reed, Fritz, Hunt, McFatten, Thomas, and Chairman  
Brooks  
c.  
CRA25-0019 -1117 NW 11th Ave.pdf  
Attachments:  
Ms. Mesadieu provided a brief overview of CRA25-0019 a request to replace windows  
for the property at 1117 NW 11th Avenue. The maximum CRA grant allowed that can be  
awarded is $5,821.00 based on a 75% match.  
Motion to approve CRA25-0019 for the property at 1117 NW 11th Avenue.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
APPROVED  
Dwan Thomas  
SECONDER: Antoinette Hunt  
AYE:  
Vice Chairman Reed, Fritz, Hunt, McFatten, Thomas, and Chairman  
Brooks  
5.  
Project Updates  
a.  
Tucker Hill  
Mr. Ellis provided a brief update of Tucker Hill. The plat finalization will be July 2025  
and the invitation to negotiate will be the first week of June. The construction will have  
up to 13 single family homes.  
b.  
Heritage Trail  
Mr. Ellis provided a brief update of Heritage Trail, Trees and lights will be added in the  
next phase.  
The Board discussed advertisement for the grant programs that are available in West  
Ocala.  
c.  
Reed Place  
Mr. Ellis provided a brief update of Reed Place conceptual plan that will include  
multi-use Pedestrian access/trails, neighborhood business, open space and neighborhood  
safety and site connectivity.  
Mr. Ellis said the Culvers on 3637 W. Silver Springs Boulevard is almost completed.  
d.  
CRA Grants - Completed Projects  
Mr. Ellis provided a brief update of the six completed projects since January.  
6.  
Other Business  
a. Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget and Planning  
Mr. Ellis gave an overview of the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget Requests for land  
acquisitions, gateways, streetscapes, Reed Place redevelopment and wayfinding. The  
special request is for grants and additional staff.  
b.  
Election of Officers  
Motion to keep officers the same. Dr. Barbara Brooks, Chair and Ruth Reed, Vice Chair.  
For the grant review committee it is Antoinette Hunt, Chair, and Ruth Reed, Vice Chair.  
There being no further discussion the motion carried by roll call vote.  
RESULT:  
APPROVED  
MOVER:  
Dwan Thomas  
SECONDER: Antoinette Hunt  
AYE:  
Vice Chairman Reed, Fritz, Hunt, McFatten, Thomas, and  
Chairman Brooks  
7.  
8.  
Public Comments  
None.  
Staff Comments  
a.  
Annual Report - Fiscal Year 2023-24 (PDF).pdf  
Attachments:  
.
b.  
CRA Training - May 22, 2025  
Mr. Ellis said there is a vacant position for the Board. He welcomed Dennis McFatten to  
the Board. Mr. Ellis said the Mandatory CRA Board Training is May 22, 2025 at 2:00  
pm.  
Mr. Ellis said the CRA Board approved the Commercial Grant revisions, it will cover  
new construction and increased from $15,000 to $50,000. The Residential Grant now  
covers termite tenting.  
c.  
CDS Affordable Housing Event  
Mr. Ellis said the CDS 2025 Affordable Housing Event will be May 15, 2025, 5:30 -  
7:00 pm at the Mary Sue Rich Center.  
9.  
Board Comments  
None.  
10.  
11.  
Next Meeting Date: July 17, 2025  
Adjournment  
The meeting adjourned at 3:55 pm.