Minutes 04-01-21 MINUTES OF THE CRAADVISORY BOARD MEETING
WEBEX ONLINE MEETING
100 E. OCEAN AVENUE
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA 33435
HELD ON THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021, AT 6:30 P.M.
PRESENT: STAFF:
Anthony Barber, Chair (arr. 6:50) Michael Simon, CRA Executive Director
Allan Hendricks, Vice Chair Bonnie Nicklien, CRA Grants & Project Mngr
Naomi Cobb Crysta Parkinson, Prototype, Inc.
Angela Cruz
Golene Gordon ALSO PRESENT:
Sharon Grcevic Sergeant Henry Diehl
ABSENT:
Thomas Devlin
Ms. Nicklien gave the introductory statement for participating in this Zoom Online
Meeting.
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Hendricks at 6:37 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Roll was called, and it was determined a quorum was present.
3. Agenda Approval
A. Additions, Deletions, Corrections to the Agenda
B. Adoption of Agenda
Motion was made by Mr. Gordon, seconded by Ms. Cobb, to adopt the agenda. In a
voice vote, the motion passed unanimously (5-0).
4. Information Only -- None
5. Public Comment -- None
Meeting Minutes CRA Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida April 1, 2021
6. Consent
A. Approval of CRAAdvisory Board Meeting Minutes — March 4, 2021
Motion made by Chair Barber, seconded by Ms. Gordon, to approve the March 4, 2021,
minutes. In a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously (5-0).
7. Assignments
A. Pending Assignments
i. Review of Commercial Properties within CRAArea
Mr. Simon said the CRA Board reviewed and accepted the categorizations of the
properties from the last CRAAB meeting and has created a new assignment, to
look at a wider area of the CRA District, this time for commercial properties for
sale. Similarly, this Boards is asked to review the property, discuss if necessary,
and determine in which of these three following categories the property would
fall:
• Pursue now as a land banking opportunity.
• Pursue at a future date.
• Does not fit the CRA Mission.
From the Notice Agenda (see attached), the following properties were presented:
• 379 SE 4t" Street -- SE 4t" Street Assemblage
o Grouping of properties on SE 4t" Street, south of 500 Ocean.
o CK Locksmith, vacant parcels that run behind the yellow house
(include).
o Represented by Jim Knight of Knight Brokerage (owned by several
Boynton Beach business owners).
0 2.45 acres listed for $4.5 million.
• 1017 North Federal Highway
o Troy's BarBQ Catering Site.
o At corner of MLK Jr Blvd and southbound Federal Highway.
o .21 acres, 1,000 square feet building, listed for $675,000.
[Chair Barber joined meeting at 6:50 p.m.]
• 2508 North Federal Highway
o Vacant parcel on North Federal Highway and Palm Drive.
o Close to northern edge of CRA District.
o Property has been owned several times and brought forth to the
City for site plans for townhouses.
o Neighborhood requires gated entry by developer.
o If townhouses were built, perhaps straight commercial use.
o Listed for $700,000.
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Meeting Minutes CRA Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida April 1, 2021
• 3377 N Federal Highway
o Sitting in a County pocket, should be removed from the list.
o If it was of interest, this property is north of Walmart, headed north
into Boynton.
o Has a Boynton address, has been there a hundred years, still two
or three small pockets in the County; services by Palm Beach
County Sheriff's Office.
o Statute restrictions unknown; perhaps if purchased could be
annexed into the City.
o An eyesore, improvement would benefit from an aesthetic
standpoint.
o Listed price $599,000 for 0.15 acre.
• S Federal Highway at SE 1St Avenue
o East side of Federal Highway across from 500 Ocean.
o Listed by Jim Knight.
o Listed for $10 million for 2.76 acres
o Probably not something the CRA could afford, but it is in the District.
o Recently site plan approved for 270 residential units and 18,000
square feet retail.
o Owners trying to sell the project and the land together.
• 2821 S Federal Highway
o Known as the Homing Inn, a rundown apartment/hotel building.
o North of Walmart.
o Difficult property for the City, not a welcoming hotel.
o Not reasonably priced at $9.1 million, would like $10 million, turning
down other offers.
o Some vacant and separately owned parcels to the north; perhaps
it could be incorporated into a larger project.
o Still on market, not under contract.
• 609 N Railroad Avenue
o North of Boynton Beach Boulevard.
o North Railroad runs along the tracks, on the west side where
Twisted Fish and Bud's Chicken are.
0 10,000 square feet, of which 8,000 is warehouse, 1,200 square feet
office.
o Listed at $1.7 million, just under half acre, zoned light industrial.
Vice Chair Hendricks turned the meeting over to Chair Barber who, before
continuing with the Agenda item, clarified that the new Member, Naomi Cobb,
has replaced Aquannette Thomas. Due to arriving late, he asked for a
clarification of the assignment as presented thus far. Mr. Simon confirmed and
reviewed the three categories, stating there is no time limit or deadline; the Board
is free to look at it over in whatever manner is needed.
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Meeting Minutes CRA Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida April 1, 2021
Open discussion followed on how the Board should proceed. Chair Barber went
around the Board asking for recommendations. Most Members were not familiar
with anything, with the exception of the Hotel, but agreed on removing the county
property from the list. The Board wanted to have a brief discussion now, but
then go to look at the properties and have a more informed discussion at
subsequent meetings. Chair Barber urged Members to take into account not just
the building, but the overall land and its value to the CRA.
Chair Barber asked for a refreshing of the overall vision or short purpose of the
CRAfor the new members. Mr. Simon summarized the CRA's ability to purchase
property through sale or by gift and the statutory ability to dispose of or redevelop
the properties for economic development and/or affordable housing. The CRA
can purchase property and own and rent it as commercial space with a tenant,
but this is not something the CRAs want to do for long periods of time (goal is to
sell back to the private sector).
The CRA can do demolition on a dilapidated structure or make improvements
(such as broken windows) to improve safety and/or quality of life for residents.
Properties can be considered for potential acquisitions for demolition, sale to the
private sector for redevelopment, or public investment such as a welcome sign
or green space.
Properties may be on a corridor of interest to the development community but
present an overwhelming task for the private sector for one reason or another
and continues to sit neglected for some time. The CRA could come in and clean
up and otherwise improve the site to get it ready for private purchase (such as
clean up contamination of an old gas station). Such things are supported by the
CRA Plan and the Statute.
Chair Barber opened up initial discussion on several properties as pieces that
flow into the overall plan and vision of the CRA. In particular:
o SE 1 st Avenue at S Federal Highway would be a purchase now as a land
banking opportunity.
0 1017 N Federal does not fit the CRA mission; the building has had a
tenant since 1996, is overpriced for where it is and what it is. Other uses
were explored to no avail. Ms. Cobb had comments on a gateway into a
community and wondered if the price was negotiable. Mr. Simon stated
tentative discussions with the owner haven't led to anything encouraging.
o For reference, Mr. Simon noted that the CRA had owned the properties
catty-cornered the northeast corner of MILK, took the buildings down, and
put back up for redevelopment. Now two businesses have partnered to
build a new office building there. Other examples were given.
0 2508 N Federal Highway -- no redevelopment happening there and the
property has been for sale for a long time. Attempts for eight townhouses
on the site have been attempted more than once, but has failed each
time, same obstacles keep happening, such as the required gated entry.
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Meeting Minutes CRA Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida April 1, 2021
It is zoned C4, could be a commercial project, but all scenarios continue
to fall through.
0 3377 N Federal Highway -- had been a pawn shop; but this is in one of
the County pockets. Mr. Hendricks would like to see the property
developed, if possible, and that the pocket is not necessarily an obstacle.
It stands there as a statement to an unattractive corridor. The zoning and
features of the property were discussed. The property backs up to the
Tradewinds residential; the furniture store next to it is also for sale (3351
N Federal Highway, $1 .5 million). Next to the "psychic building," which
also needs to be torn down; the ticket clinic is gone. The property does
meet the CRA Mission; it was agreed that it is one of the uglier,
unattractive parcels on the Federal corridor. Mr. Simon will research the
Statute for annexing into the CRA District; but the process could be
difficult.
o S Federal Highway at SE 1 st Avenue -- Mr. Simon says the $10 million
price is due to designation as a site with site plan approval and the
property was provided as a comparison for other sites currently for sale.
The existing site was discussed from aerial views and current
businesses. It has received site plan approval and is being marketed as
274 unit mixed-use. The developer backed out of contract for unknown
reasons. All the owners have come together to put it up for sale as one
big parcel. Chair Barber was interested in exploring purchasing this site
and discussion ensued on criteria and current interest in development of
any sort. There may be a way to buy it, but it would take more than one
budget year, possibly two and it would consume entire budget funds.
o Homing Inn -- Currently listed at $9.1 million. No interest.
0 609 N Railroad Avenue -- Currently listed at $1.7 million, located north of
Boynton Beach Boulevard and west of the tracks. Large parcel, has
parking, and is an industrial site. Ms. Grcevic noted this type of building
is rare in the county, hard to find warehouses with parking and a four door
garage. Mr. Hendricks thought this could possibly be in demand and
another one for the market; it may have been fixed up. Chair Barber
encouraged the Board to take a drive by for further discussion in May.
Motion made by Chair Barber, seconded by Ms. Gordon, to table until the next meeting
so Board Members have an opportunity to look and come back with a ranking system. In
a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously (6-0).
8. Adjournment
Upon motion duly made and seconded, in a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously
(6-0) and the meeting was adjourned at 8:07 p.m.
Attachments: Presentation of Commercial Properties with CRAArea
[Minutes transcribed by M. Moore, Prototype, Inc.]
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