Background

The City of Auburndale Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) was established in accordance with Chapter 163 of Florida Statues by the Auburndale City Commission on February 17, 1992 with the adoption of Ordinance No. 769.  Redevelopment is the undertaking of activities and projects in a community redevelopment area for the elimination and prevention of the development or spread of slum and blighted conditions.  It is the intent of the Auburndale Community Redevelopment Agency to reduce blight in the CRA District by undertaking projects and programs that enhance beautification, infrastructure, and economic development. 

In the CRA’s brief history, the CRA Board has masterfully levied funds to insure steady improvement with meager dollars to contribute. In recent years, the construction of a new Coca-Cola Facility and increasing property values in the district has translated into a large increase in tax increment revenues.  The budget for the 05/06 fiscal year is nearly $800,000 to which all these funds have been committed to infrastructure, beautification, and economic development. Since the CRA’s existence, the Agency has provided funding for parking lots on Polk Street , Park Street , and Pontotoc Plaza , beautification projects on Havendale Blvd , alleyway improvements between Main and Lake Street , Downtown street resurfacing, and streetscaping including lighting and decorative brick.  In addition, the CRA provides thousands of dollars annually in support of programs and services provided to the community by such important agencies as the Auburndale Chamber -Main Street .  

Public Notice for Report of Activities

Article – How is a CRA created  

Article - Tax Increment financing to create CRA

Article - Downtown Parking

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Map of CRA Boundaries

CRA Map as of February 2005

Funding

The CRA fund projects and programs through Tax Increment Financing or better known as “TIF” revenues.  TIF is a method of funding public investment within a targeted area utilizing ad valorem tax increment revenues generated from that area.  This type of funding establishes a “base year” which for Auburndale is 1992.  As property values increase beyond the base year, the mileage rate is applied to the increased tax assessment value and the increment taxes deposited into the trust fund.  The City of Auburndale and Polk County Government are required to contribute to the trust fund under Chapter 163. 

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CRA Board

The agency consists of the five (5) elected officials of the City of Auburndale and two (2) appointed Auburndale Residents.  The terms of the elected officials shall be for the term as their elected term and the two resident members shall be for four (4) years. 

(2) Citizen Board Members:

Cindy Price, District Manager, Tampa Electric Company

Marvin Wiley, Citizen Board Member, Retired

(5) City Commissioners:

Mayor Ronnie Spears

Commissioner Allen Johnson

Commissioner Bill “Dr. Bill” Sterling

Commissioner Keith Cowie 

Commissioner Richard Hamann

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In the News

Auburndale CRA gives park paths a new look

http://www.polkonline.com/stories/122006/communitynews_park.shtml

Child's Play by (Re)design

http://www.lakelandledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060523/NEWS/605230317/1007/EASTPOLK

Parking Lots Taking Shape

http://www.lakelandledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060103/NEWS/601030310/1007/EASTPOLK 

A'dale Puts CRA Details on 'Net

http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060206/NEWS/602060315&SearchID=73234930358943  

City holds luncheon at newly renovated plaza in Auburndale

http://www.polkonline.com/stories/022306/communitynews_lucheon.shtml

Improved Playground Gets Grand Opening

http://www.theledger.com/article/20080403/NEWS/804030463

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Project Gallery  

 

The pictures above are the condition of the alleyway between Main St. and Lake St. before any improvements.

The pictures above are the alleyway after landscaping, brick paving, and relocation of utilities underground.  The project was completed in 2005 and has become a real highlight for the downtown.  The alleyway has also been closed to vehicular traffic to allow for a more pedestrian friendly walkway.

Construction Phase of Pontotoc Plaza Parking Lot. This project was built after the  acquisition and demolition of the Teamsters Building.

Completed construction of the (31) thirty-one parking lot on Pontotoc Plaza .  This project is one of several projects completed by the CRA as an effort to reduce parking concerns in the downtown.  Several other parking lots are scheduled to be completed within the next several years.

 

Pontotoc Plaza Streetscaping Project

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Capital Improvements Program

Request for Proposals

CRA Events

Contact CRA

Please call Andy Stewart at Auburndale City Hall (863) 965-5530 or e-mail at City Manager's Office

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