Subject:
Payment request for a Lealman Community Redevelopment Area Commercial Grant Contract.
Recommended Action:
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of a payment request for a Lealman Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) Commercial Grant Program work contract. This grant program is included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Lealman Work Plan, which was approved by the Board of County Commissioners sitting as the Community Redevelopment Agency (Agency) during their regular meeting on September 19, 2024.
The Commercial Improvement Grant Program aims to provide matching grants that will accelerate and leverage private investment to improve the appearance, condition, and functionality of existing non-residential buildings in the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area. Matching grant awards of up to $40,000.00 are available for commercial interior and exterior improvements.
The business name and address of the property in question is A-1 Key & Safe, Inc., 3601 54th Ave. N. Lealman, FL 33714, respectively.
• Property owner paid for replacement of two sign faces. The total project cost was $4,857.00
• Per the Commercial Grant guidelines, “Reimbursement for signage expenses are limited to 25% of the grant award”. The requested reimbursement is for $1,214.25
• The requested funds are included in the FY25 Adopted Budget within the Lealman CRA Trust Fund, a Countywide portion of the Tax Incremental Financing (TIF).
• Funding for this agreement is included in the current year, FY25 Operating Budget, for Lealman CRA in the Lealman Community Redevelopment Agency Trust Fund. A total of $240,000 was confirmed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in the FY25 Budget for this Program in the fund. Approval of this grant is not anticipated to require additional budgetary or spending adjustments.
Strategic Priorities:
Prosperity and Opportunity, 3.3 Increase workforce opportunities, 3.5 Foster business growth
Summary:
The Commercial Improvement Grant Program provides matching grants to commercial property owners and businesses for site improvements and interior and exterior upgrades with a focus on projects that remedy degraded building systems and extend the economic viability of the building.
Background/Explanation:
This grant program is included on the FY25 Lealman Work Plan, approved by the Board of County Commissioners sitting as the Community Redevelopment Agency during their regular meeting on September 19, 2024.
The purpose of the Commercial Improvement Grant Program is to provide matching grants that will accelerate and leverage private investment to improve the appearance, condition, and functionality of existing non-residential buildings in the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area. Properties must be located within the boundary of the Lealman CRA to be eligible for grant funds. The property must have an existing non-residential use, be structurally sound, and meet Florida building codes. Matching grant awards of up to $40,000.00 are available for commercial interior and exterior improvements.
Fiscal Impact:
Execution of the Grant Agreements appropriated $40,000.00 from the Countywide portion of the Tax Incremental Financing revenues for the Lealman Redevelopment Trust Fund. Funding for this payment request is included in the current year budget of the Lealman CRA in the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area Trust Fund.
Funding for this agreement is included in the current year, FY25 Operating Budget, for Lealman CRA in the Lealman Community Redevelopment Agency Trust Fund. A total of $240,000 was confirmed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in the FY25 Budget for this Program in the fund. Approval of this grant is not anticipated to require additional budgetary or spending adjustments.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to approve this payment request is granted via the Agency’s approval of the FY25 Lealman Work Plan.
Staff Member Responsible:
Cameron Ehmig, CRA Specialist, Lealman Community
Felix D Nunez, CRA Coordinator, Lealman Community
Partners:
-Lealman CRA Advisory Committee
-Lealman residents, businesses, stakeholders and community partners