About the CRA

The City Commission adopted the Greater Frenchtown/Southside Community Redevelopment Plan and established the Greater Frenchtown/Southside Community Redevelopment Trust Fund in June 2000. The Greater Frenchtown/Southside Community Redevelopment Area consists of three distinct geographic sections and is comprised of 1,858 acres of residential, office, commercial/retail, industrial, and green/open space land uses.  CRA GFS funds can only be used within the district.

The Greater Frenchtown/Southside (GFS) Strategic Investment Plan is a complementary document to the Greater Frenchtown/Southside Redevelopment Plan. The Strategic Investment Plan contains the objectives, strategies and measurements for the goals listed in the Redevelopment Plan. The goals which are listed in order of importance were ranked by GFS residents and business owners. To find out if your project is within the district go to Is My Property Within A CRA District?

Greater Frenchtown/Southside Citizens Advisory Committee (GFS CAC)

The purpose of the GFS CAC is to advise the Community Redevelopment Agency on redevelopment strategies to be addressed and implemented in support of the redevelopment area. Specifically, the CAC may recommend changes to the redevelopment plan, develop an annual work program, set priorities and develop incentives to further the redevelopment efforts.

The CAC consists of nine (9) members, including two non-voting members, who represent the various neighborhood and commercial stakeholders within the Greater Frenchtown and Southside areas. The current membership, along with the agency or interest that they represent, are listed below:

• Vacant, Southside Neighborhoods Rep.
• LaRoderick McQueen, Capital City Chamber of Commerce Rep. (Vice Chair)
• Mutaqee Akbar, Greater Frenchtown Front Porch Rep.
• Andrew Chin, FAMU Rep. (Ex Officio)
• Cheryl Collier-Brown, Interested Citizen Rep.
• Bugra Demirel, Southside Businesses Rep.
• Talethia Edwards, Southside Neighborhoods Rep.
• Miaisha Mitchell, Greater Frenchtown Front Porch Rep.
• Kelly Kinahan, FSU Rep.

The City Commission adopted the Downtown Community Redevelopment Plan and established the DT District Trust Fund in June 2004. The Downtown District Community Redevelopment Area consists of approximately 440 acres located in downtown Tallahassee, between the northern and southern portions of the GFS District. The DT District is comprised of five subareas with distinct land uses, physical characteristics, and functions. Land uses in the Downtown District includes residential, office, commercial/retail, light industrial, and green/open space. CRA DT funds can only be used within the district.  To find out if your project is within the district go to Is My Property Within A CRA District?

Downtown Redevelopment Commission (DRC)

The purpose of the Downtown Community Redevelopment Area's Downtown Redevelopment Commission (DRC) is to advise the Community Redevelopment Agency on redevelopment strategies to be addressed and implemented in support of the redevelopment area. Specifically, the DRC is to make recommendations on expenditures or investments within the redevelopment area, and may recommend changes to the redevelopment plan, develop an annual work program, set priorities and develop incentives to further the redevelopment efforts.

The DRC consists of nine (9) individuals who have extensive experience in the development and/or redevelopment of urban properties. The current membership of the DRC is listed below:

• Kyle Phelps (Chair)
• Jeffrey Billingsley (Vice Chair)
• Kelley Bolden Bailey
• Christian Caban
• Robert Gelhardt
• Katie Harwood
• Lateefah Muhammad
• Slaton Murray
• Camden Whitlock

How are CRAs Created?

Under Florida law (Chapter 163, Part III), local governments are able to designate areas as Community Redevelopment Areas when certain conditions exist. Examples include: the presence of substandard or inadequate structures, a shortage of affordable housing, and inadequate infrastructure.

What is a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)?

The activities and programs offered within a Community Redevelopment Area are administered by the CRA. A five- to seven-member CRA "Board" is created by the local government, which directs the Agency. The CRA Board can be comprised of local government officials and/or other individuals appointed by the local government.

CRA staff are responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing  the goals and objective of the CRA Board and Community Redevelopment Plan. The employees work with a wide variety of stakeholders including City staff, developers, local business owners, City residents, and outside consultants.

What is a Community Redevelopment Plan

The CRA is responsible for developing and implementing a Community Redevelopment Plan that addresses the unique needs of each targeted area (CRA District). The plan includes the overall goals for redevelopment in the area, as well as identifying the types of programs and projects planned for the area.

What is Tax Increment Financing? (TIF)

After approval of a community redevelopment plan, a redevelopment trust fund is established for the CRA. Revenue deposited to this fund results from the incremental growth in taxable value within the area subsequent to establishment of the CRA. All funds received from a tax increment financing area must be used for specific redevelopment purposes within that area.

Do you want to find out more about the CRA districts and what they offer?  Would you like to become involved?  Do you have a business, or want to start one, within either district?  If so, you can:

• Attend a meeting
• Email: cra@talgov.com
• Call: 850-891-8357
• Apply to become a member of one of the CRA committees
  • Click on the yellow "Apply" button
  • You will have to select the "Downtown Redevelopment Commission" or "Greater Frenchtown/Southside Citizens Advisory Committee" on the application when asked "Which Boards would you like to apply for?"

The expenditure of CRA funds is limited by Florida law. A CRA is created under Chapter 163 of the Florida Statutes and CRA spending is limited to those items authorized by statute. See § 163.387, Fla. Stat. (listing authorized expenditures of CRA funds); § 163.370, Fla. Stat. (listing CRA powers and authority).

Florida law specifically states that a CRA can spend money on the following:

Authorized Expenditures of CRA Funds

• Purchase of real property (to further a purpose set out in CRA redevelopment plan)
• Demolition (lot clearing)
• Affordable housing
• Streets, utilities, parks and playgrounds (if not scheduled as city capital improvements within prior 3 years)
• Building repair and rehabilitation
• Appraisals, title searches, planning, surveying and studies

Not Authorized for CRA Funds Use

As CRA funds are restricted, CRA funds cannot be spent on items which are not specified in the statute or reasonably within the scope of the statutory authorization.

CRA funds cannot be spent on items such as the following:

• Social Services
• Social Gatherings
• Healthcare, Health and Wellness Initiatives
• Community Festivals
• Child Care
• Youth Listening Services
• Credit Counseling
• Elder Care Services
• Community Organizing
• Financial Education
• Leadership Training
• Vocational Training
• After-School Programs
• Routine Private Business Expenses
• Mental Health Programs
• Life Skills Coaching

Please contact CRA staff with any question about authorized expenditure of CRA funds.