Potential Central Tarpon Springs Community Redevelopment Area

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This project will be heard at the Tuesday, June 18, 2024 Board of Commissioners' Regular Session Meeting at 6:30 PM at the City Hall Auditorium (324 E. Pine Street).

The City broadcasts Commission Meetings live on YouTube, Facebook and local cable affiliates and provides an archive of past meetings on YouTube.

Viewing Options:

Cable Television: (Spectrum Channel 641; WOW Channel 15; or Frontier Channel 21)

YouTube: Watch on the Tarpon Springs YouTube Channel

Facebook: Watch on the Tarpon Springs Facebook Page

Zoom: See instructions at the City's website.

Public Comments: Citizens may submit public comments remotely as follows:

Comments not read into the record may be any length. Submit via email to boc@ctsfl.us

Comments to be read into the record are limited in length and may be submitted through the City’s website at: https://www.ctsfl.us/comment/. Comments to be read into the record must be received no later than 4 pm on the day of the meeting.

BACKGROUNDImage of proposed CRA boundary and proximity to existing CRA boundary.

The City is considering the establishment of a new Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) in Central Tarpon Springs! Tarpon Springs currently has a CRA in Downtown, which was originally established in 2001. The potential new Central Tarpon Springs CRA will be adjacent to the existing CRA boundary.

CRAs are a commonly used economic development tool used to breathe new life in established communities and neighborhoods. By establishing a CRA, local governments receive planning and financial mechanisms to help redevelop areas where private market forces are not working. There are currently over 220 CRAs in the State of Florida.

CRA PROCESS

Several steps must be accomplished before a CRA can be established, which are outlined below:

  1. Adopt a Finding of Necessity. This will formerly identify the conditions and establish the boundary for the CRA.
  2. Develop and Adopt the Community Redevelopment Plan. The plan will address the unique needs of the CRA and include overall goals for redevelopment revitalization in the area, as well as, identify potential projects, incentives, and programs.
  3. Create a Redevelopment Trust Fund. Establishment of the trust fund enables the CRA to direct tax revenues back into the CRA.


HOW TO GET INVOLVED!

  1. Workshops
    Thank you to everyone who participated in the December 2, 2023 open house. The presentation is in the     documents folder. Stay tuned for more opportunities for involvement.
  2. Online Engagement Activities
    Online engagement activities will be available soon. Make sure to register on Connect Tarpon Springs to receive notices of new activities!

COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREA - COMMON FAQs

How are CRAs Created?

Under Florida law (Chapter 163, Part III), local governments are able to designate areas as Community Redevelopment Areas when certain conditions exist. Examples include: vacant property, a shortage of affordable housing, and inadequate infrastructure.

What is a Community Redevelopment Agency?

The activities and programs offered within a Community Redevelopment Area are administered by the Community Redevelopment Agency. A five- to seven-member CRA "Board" is created by the local government, which directs the Agency. The Board can be comprised of local government officials and or other individuals appointed by the local government.

What is a Community Redevelopment Plan?

The Community Redevelopment Agency is responsible for developing and implementing a Community Redevelopment Plan that addresses the unique needs of the CRA. The plan includes the overall goals for redevelopment in the area, as well as identifying programs and projects planned for the area. The CRA plan would be developed with residents of the CRA area.

What is Tax Increment Financing?

After approval of a community redevelopment plan, a redevelopment trust fund is established for the CRA. Revenue deposited to this fund results from the incremental growth in taxable value within the area after the establishment of the CRA. All funds received from a tax increment financing area must be used for specific redevelopment purposes within that area defined in the CRA plan.

What is a Community Redevelopment Citizens Advisory Committee?

The purpose of a CRA Advisory Committee is to advise the Community Redevelopment Agency on the Community Redevelopment Plan, changes to the plan, issues, and policies within the CRA.

What are some examples of projects that tax increment financing can be used for?

Grant programs, infrastructure projects (water lines, roads, sidewalks, street lights etc.), business development programs, housing programs and much more!

Check out these links to see what other communities are doing with CRAs:

This project will be heard at the Tuesday, June 18, 2024 Board of Commissioners' Regular Session Meeting at 6:30 PM at the City Hall Auditorium (324 E. Pine Street).

The City broadcasts Commission Meetings live on YouTube, Facebook and local cable affiliates and provides an archive of past meetings on YouTube.

Viewing Options:

Cable Television: (Spectrum Channel 641; WOW Channel 15; or Frontier Channel 21)

YouTube: Watch on the Tarpon Springs YouTube Channel

Facebook: Watch on the Tarpon Springs Facebook Page

Zoom: See instructions at the City's website.

Public Comments: Citizens may submit public comments remotely as follows:

Comments not read into the record may be any length. Submit via email to boc@ctsfl.us

Comments to be read into the record are limited in length and may be submitted through the City’s website at: https://www.ctsfl.us/comment/. Comments to be read into the record must be received no later than 4 pm on the day of the meeting.

BACKGROUNDImage of proposed CRA boundary and proximity to existing CRA boundary.

The City is considering the establishment of a new Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) in Central Tarpon Springs! Tarpon Springs currently has a CRA in Downtown, which was originally established in 2001. The potential new Central Tarpon Springs CRA will be adjacent to the existing CRA boundary.

CRAs are a commonly used economic development tool used to breathe new life in established communities and neighborhoods. By establishing a CRA, local governments receive planning and financial mechanisms to help redevelop areas where private market forces are not working. There are currently over 220 CRAs in the State of Florida.

CRA PROCESS

Several steps must be accomplished before a CRA can be established, which are outlined below:

  1. Adopt a Finding of Necessity. This will formerly identify the conditions and establish the boundary for the CRA.
  2. Develop and Adopt the Community Redevelopment Plan. The plan will address the unique needs of the CRA and include overall goals for redevelopment revitalization in the area, as well as, identify potential projects, incentives, and programs.
  3. Create a Redevelopment Trust Fund. Establishment of the trust fund enables the CRA to direct tax revenues back into the CRA.


HOW TO GET INVOLVED!

  1. Workshops
    Thank you to everyone who participated in the December 2, 2023 open house. The presentation is in the     documents folder. Stay tuned for more opportunities for involvement.
  2. Online Engagement Activities
    Online engagement activities will be available soon. Make sure to register on Connect Tarpon Springs to receive notices of new activities!

COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREA - COMMON FAQs

How are CRAs Created?

Under Florida law (Chapter 163, Part III), local governments are able to designate areas as Community Redevelopment Areas when certain conditions exist. Examples include: vacant property, a shortage of affordable housing, and inadequate infrastructure.

What is a Community Redevelopment Agency?

The activities and programs offered within a Community Redevelopment Area are administered by the Community Redevelopment Agency. A five- to seven-member CRA "Board" is created by the local government, which directs the Agency. The Board can be comprised of local government officials and or other individuals appointed by the local government.

What is a Community Redevelopment Plan?

The Community Redevelopment Agency is responsible for developing and implementing a Community Redevelopment Plan that addresses the unique needs of the CRA. The plan includes the overall goals for redevelopment in the area, as well as identifying programs and projects planned for the area. The CRA plan would be developed with residents of the CRA area.

What is Tax Increment Financing?

After approval of a community redevelopment plan, a redevelopment trust fund is established for the CRA. Revenue deposited to this fund results from the incremental growth in taxable value within the area after the establishment of the CRA. All funds received from a tax increment financing area must be used for specific redevelopment purposes within that area defined in the CRA plan.

What is a Community Redevelopment Citizens Advisory Committee?

The purpose of a CRA Advisory Committee is to advise the Community Redevelopment Agency on the Community Redevelopment Plan, changes to the plan, issues, and policies within the CRA.

What are some examples of projects that tax increment financing can be used for?

Grant programs, infrastructure projects (water lines, roads, sidewalks, street lights etc.), business development programs, housing programs and much more!

Check out these links to see what other communities are doing with CRAs:

Page last updated: 17 Jun 2024, 03:49 PM