THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT AND THE HOUSING FINANCE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTIONS.
On April 23, 2013, the Board of County Commissioners (Board) approved the Broward Redevelopment Program (BRP) and Fiscal Year 2013 funding in the amount of $7.5 million. The BRP provides funding for eligible projects in defined redevelopment areas which have demonstrated blighting conditions, higher unemployment rates and lower property value growth than those of the municipality or the County. In addition to removal of blighting conditions, the BRP acknowledges economic development and job creation as public purposes for funding consideration.
On July 10, 2013, 12 applications were submitted by seven municipalities or CRAs. On July 19, 2013, the Evaluation Committee (EC) convened for the first time. The EC convened on August 6th, 8th and 14th for presentations of the 12 applications. On August 16, 2013, the EC met to score the applications and prepare funding recommendations. The EC discussed funding amounts and in some cases recommended amounts lower than the requested amounts, based on information provided in the application and/or Broward County technical staff analysis which supported a lower amount. At the conclusion of the meeting, the EC recommended the following nine projects, based on available funding in the amount of $7.5 million: City of West Park (2 projects - $462,800 and $980,807); City of Tamarac (1 project - $1.5 million); Lauderhill CRA (2 projects - $128,250 and $150,000); Oakland Park CRA (1 project - $150,000); City of Miramar (1 project - $1.5 million); Fort Lauderdale CRA (1 project - $1.5 million); and Dania Beach CRA (1 project - $1,128,143).
On November 12, 2013 the Board of County Commissioners (Board) approved the EC’s recommendations and the following two additional projects: City of Miramar - $1.5 million and Oakland Park CRA - $1,105,000, for a total of 11 projects, and FY 2013 funding of $10,105,000; leaving a balance of $4,895,000 for the next round of BRP funding in FY 2014. The BRP is funded through County non-ad valorem revenue sources.
As part of the funding award, the Applicants are required to execute an ILA with Broward County. The funding award is specific to the project and is available as a reimbursement grant, consistent with the terms, conditions, specified milestones and other provisions within the ILA, for projects completed within three years from the date of execution of the ILA and subject to County staff review and approval of the documentation submitted.
On January 28, 2014, the Board approved two ILA’s of the total 11 projects previously approved. The summaries of these projects are:
1. City of West Park – Roadway Improvement on NW 56th Avenue – lighting, sidewalks, drainage and landscaping. Approved funding: not to exceed $980,807.
2. Oakland Park – Public Improvement – public parking lot improvements at Prospect Road and Andrews Avenue. Approved funding: not to exceed $1,105,000.
This agenda item represents another project with a proposed ILA (Exhibit 1). The summary of this project is:
1. Oakland Park – Interior Build-out for Central Market – space for food vendors located at 1201 NE 38th Street. Approved funding: not to exceed $150,000.
Contact: Glenn Amoruso, Principal Planner, Housing Finance and Community Development Division, 954-357-6679.
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