|
For more than three decades , the Fort Lauderdale Community Redevelopment Agency ( CRA ) has helped transform the city ’ s underserved and under-resourced areas into economic enclaves poised for growth and prosperity . The Fort Lauderdale City Commission-governed agency is charged to positively impact the quality of life of the residents in the three distinct , designated CRA areas : Central Beach , Northwest-Progresso-Flagler Heights and Central City .
“ Economic development is making sure that you create the environment for local and outside investors to come in , invest , and develop ,” said Glendon Hall ,
|
the agency ’ s housing and economic development manager . “ We advocate on their behalf . The department helps developers with access to capital and end-users . That doesn ’ t happen in a haphazard way . It is a systematic and deliberate process to bring development into the area . We don ’ t completely fund projects . Development has to bring something to the table .”
Hall shares four ways the agency is revitalizing those areas : The CRA is the area ’ s cheerleader “ We promote the CRA area to local and regional investors . Our biggest selling points are location because we are close to Downtown Fort Lauderdale . And , the Brightline high-speed train . With Brightline , residents can get to downtown Miami in 30 minutes , Palm Beach County in 20 minutes and Orlando in 120 minutes . It puts the area
|
on the radar for many developers .” The CRA facilitates development “ The CRA acts in advisory role to help developers get through the process of the different requirements of municipal government . Sometimes we help them with incentives , funding , permitting , and other advisory support .” The CRA increases affordable , workforce housing
“ The SIX13 project is a $ 42 million project with 142 apartments and retail space . It is already approved and going to be located on s613 Northwest Third Avenue . The project is going to be a catalyst to bring development projects across the tracks from Flagler Village . It is the first large scale project of its kind on Sistrunk .”
The CRA invests in local residents and businesses “ When it comes to development , we
|
make sure that local residents know and understand the opportunities and resources available to them . We host summits like the Access to Capital Financial Summit to inform residents . We also offer residential infill lots , the Commercial Facade Improvement Program , the Property and Business Improvement Program and business support through the Midtown Commerce Center .”
The overall goal of the CRA is to eliminate slum and blight in targeted redevelopment areas through the implementation of each area ' s community redevelopment plan to foster dynamic and vibrant commercial and residential environments and expand economic opportunities in our community . Log on to www . fortlauderdalecra . com , to explore the plan .
|