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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:
- 9th 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
Final Main Street Design Study 2023
Documents
For more information on the Community Redevelopment Agency, check out the following:
- Downtown Master Plan Main Document (PDF)
- Downtown Master Plan Brochure (PDF)
- Downtown Master Plan Boundary Map
- Downtown Partnership Program Grant Brochure
- Downtown Partnership Program Grant Application Form (PDF)
- Designated Parking Map (PDF)
- FY 21-22 CRA Annual Report
- Visioning Process Summary
- Issues and Priorities Survey Summary
- City Commission Ordinance 92-24
- CRA Fiscal Year 23-24 Budget Summary
- CRA Annual Budget Adoption Resolution 2023-02 CRA
- Comprehensive Annual Financial Report FY 21-22
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Marcie Stenmark
Community Development Director
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Matt Spoor
City Manager