You Ask — We Tell
+ What is a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)?
A Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is a dependent taxing district established by local government for the purpose of carrying out redevelopment activities that include reducing or eliminating blight, improving the tax base, and encouraging public and private investments in the redevelopment area. The City Commission is the official Community Redevelopment Agency for the City of Lakeland.
+ Why create a CRA?
CRAs are created to assist local governments in pursuing redevelopment in targeted areas that are characterized by blight and disinvestment. By establishing a CRA, local governments are given a financial and planning mechanism by which to redevelop areas where private market forces aren’t working.
+ What are Lakeland's CRA districts?
Lakeland has three CRA districts. They are Downtown (est. 1979); Dixieland and Midtown (est. 2001). To find your designated area click here.
+ What type of redevelopment activities will happen in the CRA districts?
Redevelopment activities are outlined in each of the CRA district redevelopment plans. The Redevelopment Plan is a document that is approved by the City and the County at the time that each CRA district is created. The Redevelopment Plan outlines the goals and objectives for the district, and more importantly, outlines specific programs and capital improvements designed to reach those goals.
Possible programs include master planning, street improvements, park improvements, development of infill housing, recruitment of new businesses and partnerships. Most programs are designed to leverage public funds by encouraging private developers to invest in CRA districts.
Possible programs include master planning, street improvements, park improvements, development of infill housing, recruitment of new businesses and partnerships. Most programs are designed to leverage public funds by encouraging private developers to invest in CRA districts.
+ How is the redevelopment funded?
Activities in CRA districts are predominantly funded by tax increment. Tax increment is calculated based on the dollar value of all real property in the Community Redevelopment Area at the time a CRA district is created, also known as the “frozen value.” Taxing authorities who contribute to the tax increment continue to receive property tax revenues based on the frozen value. However, any tax revenues from increases in real property value, referred to as “increment,” are deposited into the Community Redevelopment Agency Trust Fund and dedicated to the redevelopment area. It is important to note that property tax revenue collected by the School Board and any special district (ex: SWFWMD) are not affected under the tax increment financing process. The tax increment revenues can be used immediately, saved for a particular project, or bonded to maximize the funds available. Any funds received from a tax increment financing area must be used in accordance with the Redevelopment Plan for specific redevelopment purposes within the targeted area, and not for general government purposes.
+ What funding is available for my project?
For a summary of incentives, click here.
+ Will my taxes increase as a result of creating a CRA?
No. A CRA does not levy taxes; it redistributes property tax payments that are already made to the City and County. These redistributed tax payments are referred to as Tax Increment and are used to implement redevelopment activities.
+ What is the timeframe for seeing change?
Deterioration of many of the neighborhoods within CRA districts took place over the course of many, many years. As a result, reversing that process will take a long-term, sustained effort. In the beginning stages of CRA districts, the tax increment is relatively small and the majority of the activities will be related to planning, strategy and goal-setting. As the plans are developed and the increment grows, the opportunities for larger, more visible projects will emerge. Keep in mind that the Downtown CRA was created in the early 1970s and it has taken years to see the cumulative effects of many of the improvements.
+ What is the governance structure of the CRA districts?
In Lakeland, the CRA districts are governed by an Advisory Board whose members are appointed by the City Commission. Members of the CRA Advisory Board are required to own property or businesses and live and/or work within their respective districts. The Advisory Board is responsible for making budget, policy and project recommendations to the City Commission. The City Commission, acting as the Community Redevelopment Agency, has the final authority to approve all actions.
+ How can I get involved?
The Community Redevelopment Agency has an Advisory Board, the members of which are appointed by the City Commission. The Downtown CRA actions are governed by members of the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority (LDDA) Board. Because the LDDA is a special taxing authority, its Board members are elected by property owners and electors within the LDDA boundaries.
Members of the CRA Advisory Board are required to own property or businesses and live and/or work within their respective districts. The Advisory Board is responsible for making budget, policy and project recommendations to the City Commission. The City Commission, acting as the Community Redevelopment Agency, has the final authority to approve all actions. If you would like to volunteer to serve on the Advisory Board, please visit the City of Lakeland’s website to download a copy of the Advisory Boards and Committees Application.
In addition, all Advisory Board meetings are open to the public and held monthly in the City Commission Conference Room on the third floor of City Hall.
Members of the CRA Advisory Board are required to own property or businesses and live and/or work within their respective districts. The Advisory Board is responsible for making budget, policy and project recommendations to the City Commission. The City Commission, acting as the Community Redevelopment Agency, has the final authority to approve all actions. If you would like to volunteer to serve on the Advisory Board, please visit the City of Lakeland’s website to download a copy of the Advisory Boards and Committees Application.
In addition, all Advisory Board meetings are open to the public and held monthly in the City Commission Conference Room on the third floor of City Hall.