The CRA agreed at their meeting to contract with Halff, a nationwide firm specializing in designing infrastructure projects. They will be responsible for providing the city with professional design services to permit the Peterson Myers Redevelopment Site project for a fee of $448,679.24.
The project includes the area around the three-story Peterson Myers office building, which the city purchased in May to address the challenge of finding additional parking to accommodate the Walesbilt Hotel redevelopment, expected to become a Marriott Tribute Collection hotel.
The plan for the latest project will include upgrades as needed to utilities, landscaping sidewalks, lighting, and irrigation, as well as the creation of a large new parking area on West Stuart Avenue, which may contain 165 vehicles. Funding for the project comes from the budget of the CRA, which has collected a tax increment for decades, and has seen a sharp rise in property values within its boundaries. The district captures a portion of the ad valorum taxes that would otherwise flow into city and county coffers. Those funds must be reinvested within the boundaries of the district.