Community Redevelopment Areas and Public Infrastructure

APWA Florida Chapter2014 Public Works Expo

Land Use

Economy

Infrastructure

Quick Background

Authorization for CRA’s was passed in the Redevelopment Act of 1969 - Chapter 163 Part III of the Florida Statutes

State is not involved in the creation of CRA’s

CRA’s are one of the tools local governments use for Economic Development & Infrastructure

Almost 200 CRA’s across the State

If within a Home-Rule Chartered County, power is conferred on the County but may be delegated to a municipality. Sarasota County is a charter county.

Many cities began with community vision and economic development strategy, and engage county in process.

Lesson: Cooperation/partnership with County is important.

Authority to Create a CRA

CRA Steps

• CRA FINDING OF

NECESSITY

City Review

• CRA AUTHORITY DELEGATION*

County Review *

• CRA BOARD CREATION

City

• CRA PLAN PREPARATION

City CRA

• TAX INCREMENT FUND CREATION

City

6 – 12 months

* = If within Charter County

Some Things To Remember

Setting Clear Priorities TIF Funding (its not a new tax) Additional Funds are Locally

Reinvested Time Limited Funds can only be spent within

the CRA; ONLY on Projects in the Plan

Possible Plan and Program Components

Catalyst Projects Varies (Public-Private Partnership,

site improvements, building conversions)

Sidewalk & Mobility Projects Sidewalk construction &

improvements Transit facilities

Streetscape Improvements Roadways Pedestrian Features Lighting

Parking Facilities and Structures

Possible Plan and Program Components

Wayfinding Signage

Marketing & Special Events Branding and Marketing of CRA

Stormwater Management Drainage facilities, Community facilities Low Impact Development

Historic Restoration and Preservation

FundingHow do we pay for these improvements? Ad Valorem Taxes Community Redevelopment Area

• Statutory Process• Community Redevelopment Plan• Community Redevelopment Agency

Special Tax Districts• Tax Increment Districts• Municipal Service Districts

Leverage Municipal Revenues• Enterprise Zone• Brownfield Redevelopment Area• Ad Valorem Tax Incentives• Public Private Partnerships

Why Use This Tool?

Key Elements to Consider: • Economic Development, • Land Use/ Recreation/ Open Space• Quality of Life/Housing, • Infrastructure, • Realistic Goals,• Understanding of Community Resources,• Understanding of the Community’s Position Relative to Other Places.

Economic Analysis

• Increased range of Land Use• Increased density and/or intensity (increased user

base)• General per acre property value increases• Regional Stormwater Options• Improved Parking Standards/Options • Master Planning done by the Community in

advance– Reduces planning and development review timeframes

• Employment Opportunities• Intangible benefits

Benefits to Property Owners (and the Community)

Economic Analysis1. To provide information to assist in establishing

priorities for infrastructure improvements to the Lehigh Area Community.

2. To provide information to describe the financial benefits to the property (value) of opting to develop consistent with the Regulating Plan.

3. Compare Revenue to Cost4. Look at Intangible Benefits

Economic Analysis Objectives

Investments (Costs)

Benefits (Revenues)

Benefits

• To develop/redevelop places that will serve area residents.

• Can create urban development pattern • Satisfy Economic Objectives • Create a walkable connected

environment• Create streetscape to beautify• Spur economic development• Engage the community.

Questions Asked• What components of the

redevelopment area does the community most like?

• What areas would benefit from cost-effective improvements?

• What are some of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats facing the City?

• Is the community supportive of a comprehensive approach to plan the future development and form of the redevelopment area or is a sub-area approach preferred?

In General

• Recommend you begin with a Community Vision or EAR Based Amendments to the Comprehensive Plan

• Define expectations and goals based on community priorities for Economic Development

• For a CRA - must adopt a Finding of Necessity• Basis for creating a CRA is broader than common expectation; slum/blight are legal terms. • It all starts with a PLAN!

Ask Yourself…

• Where are we now?• Where are we going?• Where do we want to be?• How do we get there?

• Remove Slum & Blight• Create Clean and Safe Places• Prevent Crime• Encourage Economic Development Activities• Build or Enhance Affordable Housing• Fund Streetscape and other Capital

Improvements• Preserve Historic Buildings/Resources• Retain and Recruit Business• Enhance Parks and Recreation • Increase the Tax Base of the CRA District

Courtesy: Florida Redevelopment Association

Redevelopment as an Economic Development Tool

Case Study

City of WauchulaEstablished a CRA in 1997First update to the Master Plan – 2010

Developed a CIP with short-, mid-, long range projects

TIF Revenues: $440,000 (FY 12/13); $487,000 (FY 11/12)Adopted Ten Key Strategies for Implementation

Key Strategies: • Catalyst Site Projects• Parking Lot Rehabilitation• Targeted sidewalk enhancements

Parking Lots/Pedestrian Connections:

Case Study

The project categories are defined as follows:

Short-term: projects that are understood and/or anticipated to be undertaken and completed within 1-5 years and those that funds are available or committed;Mid-term: projects that are expected to be completed in years 5-10 with funding sources identified and all or portions of the funds are available or will be available within the time frame;Long-range: projects that may be completed in years 10-15, will require additional, long-term funding solutions.

City of Wauchula

Capital Improvements Plan (per 2010 Master Plan Update)

Case Study

Short-Term:

• Coker Fuel Building Rear Building Demolition & Interior renovation - $355,000• Coker Fuel Building/Heritage Park Parking Lot - $205,000• Farmer’s Market/ Civic/Event Space & Parking Lot Construction - $126,000• Streetscape Design (Professional Services) 4th Avenue/7th Avenue/8th Avenue - $100,000• Gateway Enhancements (CRA & City) - $10,000 per entry feature (1a), $15,000 per entry

feature (1), $5,000 per entry sign (CRA and City)• Grants/Property Assistance (Residential and Commercial Grants Program) - Annual $75,000

Developer Incentives - $30,000 Annual• Proactive and increased Code Enforcement/Property Maintenance Code - $0• Wayfinding Signage Program - $20,000/$70,000 (Construction)• Civic Auditorium Renovation (Multi-Media Improvements)

• $N/A; subject to negotiations with a private vendor through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process.

• Vacant Storefront Advertising, Banners, Advertising - $26,000• Festivals/Community-wide events, Sponsorships - $25,000 (A)• Various Sidewalk Improvements - $100,000• Various Street Light Improvements - $100,000

City of Wauchula

Capital Improvements Plan (per 2012/13 – 16/17 CIP)

Case Study

Short-Term:

• Town Center Parking - $428,808• Highway 17 & Main Street Parking - $154,280• Wayfinding Signs - $90,000• Sidewalks and Streets Lights - $40,000• City Parking S 7-8th Avenue – $244,404• Gateway Enhancements - $40,000 (per FY)• Main Street Paving Project - $130,000

City of Wauchula

Case Study

Town Center & Depot

Case Study

Town Center & Depot

Case Study

Engineering & Construction Information:• Total Costs: $486,000• Time Frame: 7 months• Improved/Provided 78 Parking Spaces• Improved Stormwater/Drainage• Palmetto Street Improvements

U.S. 17 & Main Street

Case Study

U.S. 17 & Main Street

Case Study

Engineering & Construction Information:• Total Costs: $155,000• Time Frame: 1.5 months• Improved/Provided 27 Parking Spaces

Wayfinding

Case Study

Concerns Raised:• Lack of Parking Infrastructure

and Lack of SignagePlanning & Design:• Total Costs: $20,000

Wayfinding

Case Study

Case StudyCity of New Smyrna Beach

City of New Smyrna Beach

Case Study

Location and Size: approximately 2,170 properties totaling 2,002 acres, or approximately 3.13 square miles (excluding rights-of-way) or approximately 3.8 square miles (including rights-of-way).

All properties are located within the City of New Smyrna Beach

Percentage of City: 8 percent +Current Land Use: Commercial, Industrial, Office, residential, civic/parks (public/semi-public), vacantFuture land use: Commercial, Industrial, Office, residential, civic/parks (public/semi-public), vacantTaxing authorities: City of New Smyrna Beach, Volusia CountyDuration: 40 years

City of New Smyrna Beach

Case Study

Projected Contributions (based on 40-year projections): City = $27.8 mil; County $23.2 mil

Capital Projects:Pedestrian safety improvements, including sidewalks, bike lanesOpportunity sites – economic incubatorsStreetscapeRoadway improvements/ intersectionUtility improvementsHistoric PreservationWayfinding signageNeighborhood/ Parks and recreation facility improvementsTransit/ multi-modal facility

City of New Smyrna Beach

Case Study

• Balance Redevelopment and General Fund Impacts to the City and/or County

• Focus and Define Local Priorities• Understand Local Resources• Identify Community Champions• It Can Be a Marathon, Not a Sprint• Understand Impacts to Adjacent Areas• Build in Flexibility

• Lessons Learned: – CRAs are a Tool but not the only Tool. Identify other tools

available (Brownfield, Land Development Codes, Comprehensive Plan, etc.)

– Combine and Leverage Available Resources where possible– Identify Key Components in Your Local Plans

(Comprehensive Plan, CRA Master Plan, Visioning)

Final Thoughts…

“Plan The Work – Work The Plan!”

Gail Hamilton

Final Thoughts…

Kelley Klepper, AICP Kimley-Horn

Robert “Bo” Conerly, P.E. Kimley-Horn

Jessica Newman, City of Wauchula CRA

Director/Main Street Coordinator

QUESTIONS?