Commissioner Phillip Walker. âThanks to the Lakeland CRA we were able to get into our dream home. We are now closer to
@lakelandcra
@lkldcra
@LakelandCRA
ANNUAL REPORT
10 years? HOW MUCH CAN BE DONE IN
F O R TH E PA ST D E C A D E, the Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency has
championed redevelopment in blighted areas within Lakeland by helping residents become homeowners, attracting new businesses to areas with disinvestment and working with a wide range of partners to ensure an equitable transformation of our three redevelopment districts.
FUNDING SOURCES We are able to do this through a portion
of property taxes that are set aside for direct reinvestment into the three redevelopment districts: Dixieland, Downtown, and Midtown. This process is commonly known as Tax Increment Financing (TIF). This is NOT an additional tax
PROPERTY VALUES RISE
TIF
CRA REDEVELOPMENT
Dixieland
REDEVELOPMENT PLAN
Downtown REDEVELOPMENT PLAN
REDEVELOPMENT PLAN
economic development land use historic preservation
infrastructure pedestrian connectivity/safety district design and marketing
Preserve and enhance neighborhoods corridor enhancements open space, infrastructure facilities and services
CRA Advisory Board
City Commission
1st Thursday at 3:00 pm City Commission Conference Room
1st and 3rd Mondays at 9:00 am City Commission Chambers
MEETING TIMES AND LOCATIONS
Midtown
our CRA districts
The Florida Community Redevelopment Act of 1969 provides for local governments to establish redevelopment agencies within their communities in order to help stimulate development and to address deteriorating conditions and disinvestment. Interventions that are typically used include: planning, regulatory changes, capital improvements, land assembly, and program developmentALL INTERVENTIONS ARE INTENDED TO STIMULATE PRIVATE INVESTMENT. Lakeland has three districts, Dixieland, Downtown and Midtown. Each district is overseen by the Board, which comprises of the seven-member City Commission, as well as its own eleven-member Advisory Board that includes business and property owners from each district. Each district has unique challenges and opportunities, so each have a variety of redevelopment goals as set forth in the Redevelopment Plans:
LAKELAND CRA 10-YEAR SNAPSHOT 2007-2017
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
TRANSPORTATION/ CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENTS
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
$7,581,944
$10,132,529
$9,337,801
$6,968,611
$2,291,530
TOTAL DIRECT REINVESTMENT
$36,312,415
CHANGE IN PROPERTY VALUE BY DISTRICT 2007-2017
+ 3.42% DIXIELAND +12.66% DOWNTOWN +10.51% MIDTOWN
DESPITE THE
GREAT RECESSION, the CRA continued to invest, moving the needle on property values in the three districts.
GRIFFIN ROAD
C E NT
D
LAKELANDHILLS BLVD.
N. FLORIDA AVE.
l DIXIELAND l DOWNTOWN l MIDTOWN l CORE IMPROVEMENT AREA
R.
DISTRICT KEY
URIO N
GRANADA ST.
DR.
KE P A RKE R
E. L A
W. MEMORIAL BLVD.
E. MEMORIAL BLVD.
GARY ROAD
LAKE BONNET
LAKE WIRE LAKE MIRROR
W. MAIN ST.
D. JENKINS BLV
E. LEMON ST.
LAKE HOLLINGSWORTH
B LVD. ES
SI K
LAKE BONNY
OW BLVD. LL
INGRAHAM AVE.
ARIANA ST.
LAKE MORTON SUCCESS AVE.
LAKE HUNTER
E. ORANGE STREET
E. MAIN ST.
FE NG LO
ST. W. LIME
HOLLINGSWORTH ROAD
GEORGE
. PARKER DR KE LA
S. FLORIDA AVE.
WABASH AVE.
LINCOLN AVE.
AD RO
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. AVE.
EN LE
PROVIDENCE ROAD
TH KA 10TH ST.
LAKE PARKER
BELLA VISTA ST.
CRYSTAL LAKE
GRANT AND MARISSA “Thanks to the Lakeland CRA we were able to get into our dream home. We are now closer to Downtown, and closer to the future Bonnet Springs Park! We are also able to welcome guests proudly. I was blown away when someone from the CRA office showed up with our 20% down payment check! Thanks so much, Lakeland CRA team!”
GROWING BUSINESSES & REBUILDING NEIGHBORHOODS 2017 was a year of ribbon cuttings, ground breakings and significant change for the Lakeland CRA, following years of planning and design efforts. In the annual Advisory Board retreat, we identified the need for ambassadors of the CRA; people that would advocate for change in our blighted communities. We quickly realized the Advisory Board members and the citizens of Lakeland were our ambassadors. This, and impending legislation against CRAs, presented a unique opportunity to engage and communicate with the public through the use of social media. While most people only see the outward physical construction of major projects, transformation of blight needs to encompass a steady and sustainable route from idea to reality in order to truly be effective. This report unwraps the many layers of that process for the Lakeland CRA; cultivation of relationships, the plans and projects needed to achieve social equity and private investment in the 3 districts. Once you have turned the final page of this report, we invite you to connect with us on social media and stop by our office (we are the blue wall) and let us know how you can be an ambassador of the Lakeland CRA! We look forward to working with you.
LAKELAND COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ADVISORY BOARD Chairman Cory Petcoff, Dixieland Co-Chairman Ben Mundy, Dixieland Brian Goding, Dixieland Zelda Abram, Downtown Todd Baylis, Downtown Cliff Wiley, Downtown Dean Boring, Midtown Frank Lunsford, Midtown Pastor Eddie Lake, At-Large Commissioner Jim Malless, Mayoral Appointment
LAKELAND COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY Mayor Howard Wiggs Commissioner Don Selvage Commissioner Edie Yates Commissioner Jim Malless Commissioner Bill Reed Commissioner Justin Troller Commissioner Phillip Walker
Nicole Travis, CRA Manager 5
Signature P R OJ E C T S MASS MARKET EAST MAIN
•
LINCOLN SQUARE W. MEMORIAL BLVD.
MIRRORTON
ES SI K
l DIXIELAND l DOWNTOWN l MIDTOWN
B LVD.
DISTRICT KEY
ARIANA ST.
6
•• • •
NINETEEN61
team motto
GRIT DON’T QUIT The growing slate of incentive programs and the new and integrated approaches to real estate development allow the CRA team to provide the help projects need at every stage of growth. To meet the demand, the CRA’s workforce grew 100% in 2017. Our office was relocated to the third floor of City hall and we embraced an open floor plan concept. The workspace layout achieved the collaboration and idea sharing we hoped for!
COMBINED EXPERIENCE IN REAL ESTATE AND REDEVELOPMENT WORK
+ YEARS
LAKELAND COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY STAFF Nicole Travis CRA Manager Patricia Hendler Project Manager Alis Drumgo Project Manager Valerie Ferrell Project Manager D’Ariel Reed Project Associate Jonathan Rodriguez Social Media Michael Smith Project Manager
CITY OF LAKELAND STAFF Tony Delgado City Manager Brad Johnson Deputy City Manager Shawn Sherrouse Assistant City Manager Celeste Deardorff Interim Director of Community Development
7
south florida avenue –
T H E C O N V E R S AT I O N C O N T I N U E S … The City Commission submitted a recommendation to the Florida Department of Transportation to implement Complete Street improvements on Florida Avenue, which would include conducting analyses that may result in a lane elimination test period. The FDOT District One office has begun this evaluation and expects to report back to the City by late 2018. The CRA organized a field study of an existing road diet implementation in Orlando’s own Edgewater Drive where the former FDOT District One Secretary Billy Hattaway and other local officials hosted over 50 Lakeland officials and guests to share their experiences with over 10-years of data. This event was extremely helpful in understanding the effects of traffic patterns as well as the positive increase in business connectivity and flourishing economies as a result of the change. 8
MARCOS FERNANDEZ
Nineteen61 Owner and Chef “We are thankful for the CRA’s support & generosity. The programs are a pivotal part to the redevelopment of Dixieland and its economic growth. The contributions from the CRA to Nineteen61 were an important part of our success.”
dixieland H I G H L I G H T S
9.96% increase in property values 2016 -2017
$125,000
Façade/ Design Assistance 4 projects awarded
9
NORTH LAK E MIRROR DEVE LOPM E NT The CRA successfully secured Tampa based developer, Framework Group to redevelop this 10-acre site into a 300+ market-rate residential complex.
CITY-WIDE HOMELESS STRATEGY AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN –
In partnership with the City, the CRA office assisted in facilitation of the Requests for Proposals for a strategic and implementation plan that will reduce chronic homelessness and create opportunities to mitigate the effects of resultant challenges in the community. The Florida Housing Coalition was selected to perform this work and has begun its data collection and stakeholder interviews. 10
NICK HERRING
Framework Group “Today we’re thrilled to call the CRA our partner as we transform North Lake Mirror into Mirrorton, a landmark development that will serve as a shining example of effective public private partnership and responsible growth.”
downtown H I G H L I G H T S
17.12% increase in
property values 2016 -2017
$69,223 Tax Increment reimbursement to property owners
11
mass market
The Mass Market redevelopment project was home of multiple ribbon cuttings and a three day Grand Opening event in 2017. This award-winning project is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the CRA team and community partners. This former Salvation Army campus is now a multi-faceted approach to the arts and entrepreneurship. Haus 820, a premier venue space, has proven successful with its high demand for a variety of events, both large and small. With capacity to seat over 500 guests or 999 standing, it has risen to be the most sought-after event space in Central Florida. Art/ifact Studios is a collaborative multi-space and 3,000 sq. ft. gallery for regional artists. With 16 bays that can be rented by artists, it quickly reached capacity and has facilitated an up-and-coming arts community. YourProKitchen, a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen for food entrepreneurs to prepare their products, has welcomed businesses from across the region and offers an affordable use for caterers. The Everette Taylor Urban Farm grand opening was a celebration of a community leader, and our partnership with the RISE Institute of Lakeland Christian School. The Market Lofts, formerly transitional housing, is a redeveloped block of affordable residential units right next to all the business activity. Ashton Events, an innovative and intentional event planning, floral, and design company is housed in The Collective with other private offices for creative professionals. Lastly, Repurpose Art Studio is an extension of community partner, Gospel Inc., who serve at risk women in the community by providing the tools and skills to creatively express themselves through art. All these spaces have been a part of the completion of this city block. With the area bursting at the seams, there is new found potential for future development.
12
JOE TEDDER
Polk County Tax Collector “The CRA is making improvements a reality. Without their vision and assistance, Massachusetts Avenue would still be an undervalued asset.”
midtown H I G H L I G H T S
9.60% increase in property values 2016 -2017
27 Residential Properties received Fix-it-Up grants totaling
$153,504
10
Down Payment Assistance yielded
$1,065,800 in private investment
13
INSIDE MASS MARKET 14
15
dance
C RYSTAL’S WO R LD O F
HHHHHHHH
HH HH HH
The CRA partnered with Crystal’s World of Dance, a community-based organization to bring its unique youth-focused artistic instruction with talent development to its own footprint. The CRA’s acquisition of 801 N Massachusetts lent itself a perfect location for continued youth outreach in the bustling success of Mass Market and Parker Street Ministries. The CRA Board approved its lease agreement and instructed staff to proceed with redevelopment and renovation for the site. Construction will begin Fall 2017.
lincoln square APARTM E NTS
16
Lincoln Square Apartments was a crime ridden, functionally obsolescent, 120-unit apartment complex within the Webster Park neighborhood. The CRA acquired the property, relocated residents, abated hazardous materials, and demolished the buildings, a two-year $3,000,000 project. The CRA then hired Blackmon Roberts Group to engage community stakeholders on the best use for the five-acre site. The consensus of the community was to build safe, affordable single family housing on the site. The CRA team got to work. The property was rezoned and designed for 21 single-family homes, which would seamlessly blend with the surrounding neighborhood. The site infrastructure work also started at this time. The CRA began marketing the affordable homes on social media and developed a list of 400+ interested buyers. The first home contract was signed in September 2017.
C R Y S TA L D AV I S
Crystal’s World of Dance Owner “It has always been my dream and desire to operate a dance studio where I could offer a program like I had growing up. It was important for me to offer services to the youth within the community they lived in. Thanks to the CRA that dream has come true!”
east main
INTERSECTION PAINTING The CRA partnered with Harrison School for the Arts, Rochelle School of the Arts and Boring Business Solutions to give the intersection at E. Main Street and Ingraham Avenue a makeover. In an effort to transform and support the identity of the East Main District, a design competition was held to inspire interest in this important connection to Lakeland’s downtown. The influx of artistic interest helped define the task at hand – to create more art in public spaces. This street mural was a way to help neighborhoods create a sense of identity and community pride. Inspired by the East Main Design competition, Art/ifact’s Elizabeth Hults was enlisted to create the masterpiece that is now the center of E. Main Street and Ingraham Ave. With Hults’ design, visual arts students from both schools were able to execute a public art project that Lakeland will never forget. 17
PRIVATE INVESTMENT
$20,904,656 $3,038,912 6.88
DOWNTOWN
2017 LCRA FINANCIALS
what does it all mean?
Here at the Lakeland CRA, we believe that private dollars follow public investment. When incentives are utilized effectively, we can leverage them to create an even larger impact both commercially and residentially. In 2017, for every $1 the CRA invested, the private sector followed with $6.88. 18
MIDTOWN
LEVERAGE
DIXIELAND
CRA INCENTIVES
100%
96%
REVENUES
EXPENSES
100%
Operating
Tax Increment Revenues 80%
$1,185,836 Interest & Miscellaneous
60%
$54,583
$72,961
80%
66%
Incentives
$69,223
60%
Corridor Enhancements
40%
40%
20%
20%
$20,833 Neighborhoods 12%
4%
TAX INCREMENT POLK COUNTY REVENUE SOURCES $626,014 100%
91%
80%
3%
CITY OF LAKELAND $513,661
REVENUES
Debt Service
7%
$400,000
LAMTD $46,161
TOTAL $1,185,836
EXPENSES
100%
Operating
Tax Increment Revenues
$52,524
80%
$228,033
Incentives
Interest & Miscellaneous
60%
$44,597
11%
60%
$23,742
40%
40%
20%
20%
49%
$46,416 43%
Corridor Enhancements
$3,961
1%
Neighborhoods
$3,915
9%
4%
TAX INCREMENT POLK COUNTY REVENUE SOURCES $120,381
REVENUES
100%
86% 80%
CITY OF LAKELAND $98,776
LAMTD $8,876
$2,670,454 Interest & Miscellaneous
40%
Interest & Miscellaneous
$386,937
Operating
$517,237
80%
Incentives 60%
$2,923,273
54%
Corridor Enhancements
1%
$363,710
40%
27%
$36,782 13%
TOTAL $228,033
EXPENSES
100%
Tax Increment Revenues
60%
20%
4%
20%
10%
7%
Neighborhoods
$1,451,309 3%
Property Management
$187,622
TAX INCREMENT POLK COUNTY REVENUE SOURCES $1,155,861
CITY OF LAKELAND $1,408,682
LAMTD $105,911
TOTAL $2,670,454
19
2018 big will be
too!
TAPATIOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT
How will you partner with the CRA?
CRYSTAL’S WORLD OF DANCE MIRRORTON LINCOLN SQUARE 20
21
social media
facebook
636
NEW FOLLOWERS
@lakelandcra
Mass Market Video launched on 08/22/2017: over
19,500 views
instagram 25-34 years old M A JORI TY OF FOLLOW ERS
@lkldcra
66% WOMEN, 34% MEN
AUDIENCE IS MOSTLY FROM LAKELAND
twitter
@LakelandCRA STAFF SPOTLIGHTS
showcasing the CRA team
22
popular H A S H TA G S
Lincoln Square Progress Video Series – started with Neighborhood Goals video and moved into #RedevelopmentWorks and #LetCitiesWork Campaigns - showcasing positive aspects of Home Rule and how it relates to CRA governance.
#MotivationMonday #lkldcra #LKLD #lovelakeland #LetCitiesWork #RedevelopmentWorks #gritdontquit
MOST POPULAR INSTAGRAM POSTS OF THE YEAR
website ANNOUNCED:
REVAMPED
08/03/2017 (highlights CRA investment map & signature projects)
T E A M W O R K
M A K E S
T H E
D R E A M
W O R K
questions F R E Q U E N T LY A S K E D
Q: How does the CRA fit into the City of Lakeland’s overall vision?
A: The CRA districts encompass the City’s central core and plays a critical role in energizing commercial areas as well as creating stable neighborhoods. We assist the City in accomplishing its vision statement: to create a vibrant, innovative, culturaly inclusive, world-class community. We are the implementation piece of the City’s strategic goals in pre-determined target areas. Q: What can the CRA spend money on? A: The CRA can spend money on redevelopment efforts outlined in the districts’ redevelopment plans. All projects and expenses must align with approved plans. Q: Does the Redevelopment Plan ever change? A: If the needs of the community change, the redevelopment plan can change through a defined public process. The City of Lakeland’s redevelopment plans are old, but the issues are still relevant and we are continuing to implement projects outlined in the plans. Q: How can I get involved? A: 1.) ENGAGE: follow us on social media and be a part of the conversation! We want your input and feedback on our projects. 2.) SHARE: help us raise awareness about our projects and incentives by sharing content and spreading the word with those in your community. 3.) CONNECT: if you have ideas or proposals for redevelopment in the districts, feel free to contact us to explore the possibilities, or if you know someone please refer them to us! It takes a team effort to revitalize a community. You are a part of the team!
Photo credit: Tom Hagerty Jordan Weiland
@lakelandcra
@lkldcra
@LakelandCRA
City of Lakeland • 228 South Massachusetts Avenue • Lakeland, Florida 33801 • lakelandcra.net • (863) 834-5200
