The Apopka Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board adopted its reallocated budget of an estimated $1.9 million, prioritizing projects that must start by Oct. 1 in case state legislation affecting CRAs is enacted.
The Apopka CRA Board meeting on April 23 was organized to get more community input on the CRA projects. The board previously met on April 16 and reviewed almost a dozen projects that could potentially be impacted by the bills, if they become law.
House Bill 991 and Senate Bill 1242 would limit CRA powers after Oct. 1 and potentially phase out CRAs completely by 2045, but key differences remain in the bills. Apopka city attorney Cliff Shepard told the board that that the Senate bill is less restrictive and seeks to preserve CRAs, while the House bill is “more draconian.”
“Our hope is that the Senate will stand fast,” Shepard said.
According to information in the CRA Board meeting packet, the following projects would need to be updated before Oct. 1:
- The Central Avenue portion of the Downtown Apopka Trail
- Construction of the City Hall Park
- Upgrades of Apopka Action Sports Park, Alonzo Williams Park amenities and Edwards Field amenities
- Signal and pedestrian upgrades to Fifth and Central Avenue
- Property acquisitions for the expansion of Alonzo Williams Park and Kit Land Nelson Park
- Fifth Street gas lamps
- The Eighth Street and Highland Avenue homes and neighborhood park
Located downtown, the Apopka Community Redevelopment Area is comprised of 633 acres and has a mix of residences, businesses and historic properties. The area is bound on the south by 10th and 11th Streets, Hawthorne Avenue to the west, Oak Street to the north, and sections of multiple streets to the east, including Highland Avenue, Monroe Avenue and Alabama Avenue.
The state Legislature created CRAs in 1969 to help local governments revitalize areas that become blighted. They use revenue from property tax increases to fund improvements.
Supporters of the reform bills, including sponsor Rep. Mike Giallombardo, R-Cape Coral, say local governments have abused the original purpose of CRAs.
“CRAs are initially designed to help slum and blight areas, but again, what’s happening is they’re continuously moving the charter date, or the end date, of them and just paying for a bunch of other stuff,” Giallombardo said, according to a WUFT report.
The City Council created the Apopka CRA Board to direct the agency. This board comprises Apopka City Council members, an Orange County Board of County Commissioners representative, and other individuals appointed by the local government.
The next CRA Board meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. on May 7 at Apopka City Hall, followed by the City Council meeting, which starts at 1:30 p.m.
The Apopka Chief is an award-winning weekly newspaper serving the greater Apopka area in Central Florida since 1923.
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