CRAs drive investment, improving lives and creating jobs right in the neighborhood.
Carol Westmoreland, Florida League of Cities
cwestmoreland@flcities.com
Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAS) are incredibly successful tools for breathing new life into areas that have been forgotten- the “ghost towns” in the centers of our cities. They uniquely gather all the participants in the urban revitalization “room” to provide a sustainable and comprehensive plan to make it happen. They are doing what no one else will do, which is to focus on – and give to – areas where but for the CRA, no one will invest. How is this done? Funding is key – the money used by CRAs are current (not additional) tax dollars, and must be spent in the local area being revitalized.
All over the state, intergovernmental conflicts between cities and counties, over revenues, are popping up. In the quest to provide the best services for the smallest dollar, unfortunately, governments get frustrated and argue over who gets to control, and spend, which revenues. Not a new story, but when it involves tax dollars from city residents for revitalization within their neighborhoods, there is “the REST of the story”. Here are a few facts to consider when control over Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs) is debated.
- City CRAs know best how to spend local monies on local projects within the city boundaries
- Under Florida law, the CRA mission is to partner with civic advocates and investors to turn aging neighborhoods into vibrant economic centers.
- CRAs help identify available land or provide financial incentives for projects that benefit the area and its residents.
- The Pompano Beach CRA has aggressively invested CRA dollars in its infrastructure and public areas, in order to lay the groundwork for private redevelopment of blighted areas.
- CRA-backed redevelopment transforms spaces, revitalizes places, and creates millions of dollars in new investment.
- Private sector investment helps to preserve community identity, history and uniqueness.
- A study of just seven CRAs in South Florida during 2008-2013 (a significant recession) revealed that $371.9 million in private sector investment was generated or created because of $19.5 million in public dollars spent – and 2,147 jobs were created.
Just imagine what could happen with an upswing in the economy! History has shown that when nothing happens in blighted communities throughout the state, there are few arguments over how to revitalize, or who is responsible for doing it. Once success with private sector investments occurs, understandably that success is coveted, and hopefully modeled.
Counties: Please let CRAs created by cities accomplish their mission before pulling the rug out from under them. They have carried the burden of creation, administration, planning for projects and financing for many years. They are reaching their goals, by Florida law generally, and specifically by locally adopted city revitalization plans. Let them keep their promise to residents to turn things around, and to make the quality of life for all residents better.