Board/Committee Agenda Item

MEETING DATE:  7/24/2017

SUBJECT:  Discussion of Priority Projects

PREPARED BY:  Chelsea Bakaitis, CRA Coordinator

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Recommend prioritized CRA Projects. A member should move to approve recommendations followed by a majority vote.

Summary

The CRA Advisory Board will be responsible for recommending priority CRA projects to the CRA, in order to focus staff resources and funding.

Every year the Commission updates the City of Alachua Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan provides an annual roadmap for the budget and staff resources. Last year, Strategic Initiative 1.3, Revitalizing Main Street and the Downtown Area was one of the highest prioritized initiatives. The Action Steps listed in the plan to accomplish the strategic initiative include the following:

1. Hire a CRA Professional; estimated completion date: December 2016; Status: Completed
2. Develop and install wayfinding signage and improvements; estimated completion date: July 2017; Status: Ongoing
3. Develop a branding and marketing program; Estimated Completion Date: September 2017; Status: Ongoing
4. Develop an event and program schedule; Estimated Completion Date: September 2017; Status: Ongoing
5. Establish a business retention and attraction program; Estimated Completion Date: September 2017; Status: Ongoing
6. Continue implementation of 2016 Market Study Recommendations; Estimated Completion Date: Ongoing; Status: Ongoing

The specific initiatives recommended for the CRA in the Market Study and Economic Development Plan include the following:

1. Implement a retail attraction branding, marketing and messaging program.
2. Target specific uses for downtown, including coffee shops, antique stores, breweries, recreational and sporting goods purveyors.
3. Host regular events in the Downtown District through vision partnerships with the business community.
4. Implement a Facade Improvement Grant Program.
5. Target a business hotel for the area.
6. Target additional residential development in the surrounding area.
7. Implement an incentive based program to encourage development of targeted uses.
8. Improve and create interstate, wayfinding and directional signage.
9. Create trails and bike trails and connect to Sun Trail.

Projects must be included in either the CRA Plan Update or the CRA Market Study and Economic Development Plan in order for them to be funded by the CRA..

City Staff will present all recommendations to the CRA. There will be an opportunity at the next meeting for staff to answer any questions and for the Advisory Board to finalize recommendations if necessary.