Title
Proposed Expansion of Eastside Community Redevelopment Agency District (B)
This item involves the initial steps necessary to expand the Eastside Community Redevelopment Agency District.
Explanation
There is significant potential for redevelopment in Southeast Gainesville. An area with particular need and potential is just south of, and adjacent to, the current southern boundary of the Community Redevelopment Agency's (CRA) Eastside District. Expanding the District to include this area may encourage redevelopment to occur at a faster pace and a higher level. The CRA can address blighted conditions by, among other steps, providing infrastructure, consolidating land, and marketing the area.
Working with a consultant to prepare Findings of Necessities (Blight Findings) would enable staff to determine the feasibility of such an expansion. The area proposed for study is approximately 405 acres in size and is shown on the attached map.
Fiscal Note
Approximately $131,000 is available in the City Commission contingency fund, Account No. 001-990-9989-9110. The Findings of Necessity (Blight Findings) are not likely to exceed $15,000. If the Findings of Necessity report indicates that the subject area meets state criteria for inclusion in the Eastside CRA District, staff estimates that the cost of updating the Eastside Redevelopment Plan would be approximately $20,000, which the CRA could fund. The CRA could include the plan update in its February Amendatory Budget.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) authorize staff to disseminate a Request for Qualifications to hire a consultant to study the feasibility of expanding the Eastside CRA District, prepare a Finding of Necessity report for a southern expansion of the Eastside CRA District, and, if supported by the Finding of Necessity report, update the Eastside CRA District Redevelopment Plan to include the expansion area; and 2) provide an amount not to exceed $15,000 from the City Commission contingency fund for the Findings of Necessity (Blight Findings).
Alternative Recommendation: The City Commission deny the request to study the expansion of the Eastside CRA District. There is no fiscal impact.