TO: CRA Board of Commissioners
FROM: Joan K. Goodrich, Economic Development Director
Elizabeth Burrows, Economic Development Manager
THROUGH: Jeff Costello, CRA Executive Director
DATE: May 14, 2019
Title
NEW TOOLS: PROJECT CONSULTANCY + DESIGN SERVICES PROGRAM
Body
Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Approve the Project Consultancy + Design Services Program Guidelines modifications.
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Background:
At the CRA Board workshop held on February 12, 2019, the Office of Economic Development staff made a presentation to the CRA Board with recommendations for new ways to accelerate and support business activity and private investment in key priority areas of the CRA District. At that time, the Board indicated their support of updates to the Site Development Assistance Program to offer higher levels of funding to projects located within the West Atlantic (Sub-Area #3), Northwest (Sub-Area #4), Southwest (Sub-Area #8) and Osceola Park (Sub-Area #7) areas, and the creation of new tools designed to assist businesses and property owners more directly during the planning and design phase of a project.
On April 9, 2019, the CRA Board approved modifications to the Site Development Assistance Program guidelines, increasing the maximum award amount for projects in key priority areas to $75,000, with eligible costs up to $10,000 fully funded, and additional eligible costs covered at a rate of 75%. Changes to payment procedures were also approved, allowing approved applicants to request CRA payments made either directly to vendors or by reimbursement, to be processed as often as once a month.
Proposed New Tool:
As an additional follow-up to the February 2019 workshop discussion, staff has prepared guidelines for the proposed Project Consultancy + Design Services Program. This new tool would be available for a three-year period, restricted only to CRA Sub-Areas #3, #4, #7 and #8. The guidelines outline two levels of assistance-Consul...
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