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 addresses of the property in question is Friends of Strays, located at 3015 46th Avenue North, Lealman, FL 33714.
• The property owner received an exterior grant that paid for the exterior buildout of a cat-shaped awning and a roof project that was to replace loose polyurethane foam at the roof edge to prevent water intrusion and remediate deteriorated membrane at the edge of the roof. The total project cost was $28,850.00. The approved projects covered under our grant programs are as follows:
o Per the grant guidelines, applicants are entitled to up to a 50% reimbursement of their total eligible project costs, up to a maximum of $40,000.00 in total. They were awarded the full grant amount for their projects, 50% of $28.850.00 for a total award of $14,425.00.
• The total for this funding request is $14,425.00. It is included in the FY25 Operating Budget for the Countywide portion of the Tax Incremental Financing revenues for the Lealman Redevelopment Community Redevelopment Agency Trust Fund.
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 improve the appearance and functionality that 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 $14,425.00 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.
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:
Felix D Nunez, CRA Coordinator, Lealman Community
Partners:
-Lealman CRA Advisory Committee
-Lealman residents, businesses, stakeholders, and community partners