ACTION ITEM
SPONSOR: Teniade Broughton, Chairperson
SUBJECT:
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APPROVAL OF THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM POLICY
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RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
That the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) approve the Commercial Property Improvement Program Policy.
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SUMMARY:
On December 11, 2017, the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) approved the Commercial Façade Improvement Program to be administered targeted areas of the City of Pensacola’s designated community redevelopment areas. Implementation of the of a commercial façade improvement program is identified as a key redevelopment strategy within the City of Pensacola’s Urban Core and Westside adopted community redevelopment plans. Since the program was first approved in 2017, staff has been monitoring implementation and is recommending several revisions.
To further encourage the program’s utilization and impact, staff is recommending several revisions. These revisions include:
• Expanding eligible improvements to include both façade improvements and other improvements necessary to enable reuse.
• Expanding types of allowable match to include volunteer professional services and retail price of contributed materials.
• Reducing matching requirements by 50% for properties that serve a public purpose and are permitted a tax exemption according to the Department of Revenue.
• Adding historic cemeteries outlined in the redevelopment plans as eligible properties and establishing terms of participation for cemeteries.
• Increasing funding limits based on the age, size, and cultural and/or historical significance. Defining lien duration based on amount of funding provided.
• Authorizing transfer of the property during the lien period with program compliance. Compliance is achieved if occupancy or reuse of the building is actively sought or achieved in accordance with an approved occupancy and operating plan, the building is not used for an ineligible purpose defined by the program policy, the property is maintained in good and faithful compliance with the program and the site is not intentionally demolished and/or rebuilt (except in instances of force majeure). In the event of a transfer, the forgivable loan and all program requirements transfer to the new owner.
• Adding large-scale heavy industrial and warehousing, schools and hospitals as ineligible uses. Adding an exemption for ineligible uses if the use is otherwise approved by the CRA due to the building’s historic, cultural or architectural significance or similar factor.
• Adding provisions for emergency response and recovery situations.
• Permitting expansion of target area boundaries. Expansion areas to include properties along Cervantes from Pace Boulevard to A Street, the Belmont and DeVilliers neighborhood (areas not previously included) and the Tanyard neighborhood within the Urban Core district (east of A Street). (See maps attached).
• Refining program procedures and terms.
• Renaming the program to “Commercial Property Improvement Program” to reflect its comprehensive extent and inclusion of historic cemetery property.
PRIOR ACTION:
December 11, 2017 - The CRA approved the Commercial Façade Improvement Program to be administered within target districts of the City of Pensacola’s designated community redevelopment areas.
February 5, 2018 - The CRA approved the Westside Redevelopment Board recommendation to amend the Westside Commercial Façade Improvement Target Area Boundaries to include the west side of Pace Boulevard from Cervantes Street to Main Street.
December 10, 2018 - The CRA approved amendments to the Commercial Façade Improvement Program.
FUNDING:
N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None.
LEGAL REVIEW ONLY BY CITY ATTORNEY: Yes
10/28/2022
STAFF CONTACT:
David Forte, Deputy City Administrator - Community Development
Sherry Morris, Development Services Director
Victoria D’Angelo, CRA Assistant Manager
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ATTACHMENTS:
1) Commercial Property Improvement Program Policy
2) Commercial Property Improvement Program Guidelines
3) Urban Core Target Area Map
4) Westside Target Area Map
PRESENTATION: No end