ABC'S OF THE CRA7/28/01
THE ABC's OF THE CRA
As redevelopment in the "downtown".area progresses, you will be hearing more about rhe
Community Redevelopment Agency's (CRA) role in the City of Boynton Beach.
WHAT IS THE CRA? The Community Redevelopment Agency is established under state law to
advise local government on matters pertaining to planning, zoning and economic development
within the Community Redevelopment Area (CR Area). The CRA Board consists of 7 voluntary
members and a CRA Director.
WHERE IS THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREA? The CR Area starts at the
Intracoastal Waterway on the east to the FEC raikoad tracks on the west and from the C16 canal
at the north end to the city limits on the south end. Between N.E. 13th Avenue and S.E. 1 st
Avenue, the CR Area extends west to Industrial Avenue, west ofi95.
WHAT DOES THE CRA DO? The CRA responsibilities are to encourage economic growth,
stimulate redevelopment within the CR area, to attract developers and investors to the Area, to
increase the tax base, to review all land development activities and variance requests within the
CR area, to improve living conditions and to implement the City's redevelopment goals.
WHO SERVES ON THE CRA? The 7 members of the CRA Board are appointed by the City
Commission for a 4 year term and must either reside within the City or have business within the
City. Each member must be experienced in at least one of these fields: building and development,
engineering, planning, architecture, real estate, mortgage lending or finances.
WHERE DOES THE CRA GET ITS INCOME? Attracting developers of both commercial
and residential properties to the area increases the amount of property taxes collected. A portion
of all property taxes collected within the CR Area is channeled back to the CRA by the County to
finance further redevelopment projects. In addition, some redevelopment projects are available
for grar~,t money. ,~~k~
HOW DO THE CRA'S ACTIVITIES A}XF,~CT THE REST OF THE CITY? Downtown
redevelopment is a sign that the City as a whole is healthy. This attracts new developers and
investors. Since commercial properties are taxed at a higher rate than residential properties,
commercial developmem will more quickly generate the additional tax revenues needed m
maintain property taxes throughout the City at or below their current level and to fund various
City services throughout the City.
The CRA meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each momh at 6:30 P.M. in the City Hall Chambers. AH
meetings are open and members of the public are invited to attend.