Community Redevelopment Agency

Background

In 1992, the City of Safety Harbor established a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) to address deteriorating conditions in the downtown area in accordance with state statutes. The CRA established a Redevelopment Trust Fund and approved a Redevelopment Plan for the Community Redevelopment District (CRD). Pinellas County, a charter county, delegated the powers and authority to the City by County Resolution 92-152. The original CRD boundary included a total of 108 acres. The Tax Increment Finance District covers property inside the original CRA boundary was approved through October of 2022. In 2009, the City Commission approved a 48-acre expansion area to the Community Redevelopment District. In 2012, the Downtown Master Plan was updated. A link to the master plan is provided in the links section below. The Community Redevelopment District contains a hierarchy of character districts based on existing and intended use, character and function.

Downtown Master Plan Update

In 2021, the City of Safety Harbor submitted a request to Pinellas County to extend the sunset date of the CRA. On August 16, 2022, the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners approved PC Ordinance 22-28 to extend the Community Redevelopment District for one year to prevent expiration of the CRD and allow the City of Safety Harbor to update the Downtown Master Plan. A link to the adopted Downtown Master Plan is provided in the link section below. After the Downtown Master Plan is updated, the city will submit a request to Pinellas County for ten years.

A community meeting was held on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at the Safety Harbor Library.

A link to the meeting summary is below:

City of Safety Harbor Real Time Record

The Community Redevelopment Agency is scheduled to review a resolution to update the Downtown Master Plan on June 5, 2023.

The City Commission is scheduled to review an ordinance to update the Downtown Master Plan on June 5, 2023 (first reading) and June 19, 2023 (second reading).

Oversight

City Resolution 92-26 created the CRA and declared that the five (5) members of the City Commission constituted the CRA. The City Manager acts as the Executive Director and the City Attorney provides the CRA with legal counsel.

Regulatory Framework

The City’s Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Element and Article VI of the Comprehensive Zoning and Land Development Code establish the regulatory framework for development within the Community Redevelopment District.

Activities

The CRA files an annual report summarizing ongoing activities and financial information, in accordance with state statutes. A link to the most recent CRA Annual Report is provided below. The CRA has completed numerous Capital Improvement Program projects and programs, including the Downtown Partnership matching grant program which began in 2009. A list of some of the projects and activities completed by the CRA is provided below:

9^th Avenue corridor improvements
Baranoff Oak tree preservation and pocket park
Bayshore Trail construction
Brick street restoration
Downtown Partnership Grant program
Historical marker program
Mullet Creek park improvements
On street parking development
Public art installation
Safety Harbor museum façade renovation
Sidewalk construction
Main Street streetscaping, landscaping, and irrigation improvements
Undergrounding of utilities
Waterfront Park purchase and improvements
Wayfinding signage program

Downtown Partnership Grants

The City of Safety Harbor CRA has a Downtown Partnership matching grant reimbursement program. Grant categories include façade, front porch, fencing, signage, public art, landscaping, dumpster enclosure, interior renovation, new non-residential building, market/hardware store use, and artistic bicycle rack. Both residential and non-residential properties within the Community Redevelopment District are eligible for several grant types.

Main Street Design Study

In 2023, a Main Street Design Study was conducted to explore ideas to address downtown parking demand, business wayfinding signage and a-frame signage, wider sidewalks, and locations for additional shade trees.

A community meeting took place on August 15th, 2023. A meeting with the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown business community took place on August 15, 2023. A community survey and downtown business survey were conducted. Results are summarized below:

Community Engagement and Survey Draft Summary

Community Survey Results

Business Survey Results

Final Main Street Design Study 2023