Community Redevelopment Agency

Background

In 1992, the City of Safety Harbor established a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) to address deteriorating conditions in the downtown area in accordance with state statutes. The CRA established a Redevelopment Trust Fund and approved a Redevelopment Plan for the Community Redevelopment District (CRD). Pinellas County, a charter county, delegated the powers and authority to the City by County Resolution 92-152. The original CRD boundary included a total of 108 acres. The Tax Increment Finance District covers property inside the original CRA boundary was approved through October of 2022. In 2009, the City Commission approved a 48-acre expansion area to the Community Redevelopment District. In 2012, the Downtown Master Plan was updated. A link to the master plan is provided in the links section below. The Community Redevelopment District contains a hierarchy of character districts based on existing and intended use, character and function. 

Downtown Master Plan Update

In 2021, the City of Safety Harbor began a process to extend the Safety Harbor Community Redevelopment District sunset date by ten years. The new sunset date for the Community Redevelopment District and the Community Redevelopment Trust Fund is October 6, 2032. 

Key dates and activities are listed below:

  • In February of 2021, the City of Safety Harbor hired a consultant to prepare a Finding of Necessity.
  • On October 4, 2021, the Community Redevelopment Agency adopted Resolution No. 2021-01 CRA and the City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2021-16 to accept the Finding of Necessity and request Pinellas County extend the sunset date.
  • On August 16, 2022, the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners approved PC Ordinance 22-28 to extend the Community Redevelopment District for one year to prevent expiration of the CRD and allow the City of Safety Harbor to update the Downtown Master Plan. 
  • On February 21, 2023, a community meeting was held at the Safety Harbor Library.
  • On June 5, 2023, the Community Redevelopment Agency adopted Resolution No. 2023-01 CRA and on June 19, 2023, the City Commission adopted Ordinance No. 2023-01 to amend the Downtown Master Plan to update the vision, valued treasures and tax increment financing projections.
  • On August 15, 2023, Pinellas County adopted Ordinance No. 23-17, extending the Community Redevelopment District by one year to allow the City of Safety Harbor to provide additional information, including updated tax increment financing projections and project information for the remaining eight years of the CRA.
  • On March 13, 2024, the Downtown Redevelopment Board recommended approval of the City Commission Ordinance and CRA resolution,
  • On April 1, 2024, City Commission approved Ordinance No. 2024-07 on 1st reading .
  • On April 1, 2024, the Community Redevelopment Agency approved Resolution No. 2024-01.
  • On April 15, 2024,the City Commission approved Ordinance No. 2024-07 on 2nd reading.
  • On May 21, 2024, the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners approved Ordinance 24-17 and Resolution 24-29 providing for an eight year extension of the Safety Harbor Community Redevelopment District and the Community Redevelopment Trust Fund.

Links to the updated Finding of Necessity from 2021 and adopted Downtown Master Plan are provided in the Documents section of this web site. 

CRA Finding of Necessity

Oversight 

City Resolution 92-26 created the CRA and declared that the five (5) members of the City Commission constituted the CRA. The City Manager acts as the Executive Director and the City Attorney provides the CRA with legal counsel.

Regulatory Framework

The City’s Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Element and Article VI of the Comprehensive Zoning and Land Development Code establish the regulatory framework for development within the Community Redevelopment District.

Activities 

The CRA files an annual report summarizing ongoing activities and financial information, in accordance with state statutes. A link to the most recent CRA Annual Report is provided below. The CRA has completed numerous Capital Improvement Program projects and programs, including the Downtown Partnership matching grant program which began in 2009. A list of some of the projects and activities completed by the CRA is provided below:

  • 9th Avenue corridor improvements
  • Baranoff Oak tree preservation and pocket park
  • Bayshore Trail construction
  • Brick street restoration
  • Downtown Partnership Grant program
  • Historical marker program
  • Mullet Creek park improvements
  • On street parking development
  • Public art installation
  • Safety Harbor museum façade renovation
  • Sidewalk construction
  • Main Street streetscaping, landscaping, and irrigation improvements
  • Undergrounding of utilities
  • Waterfront Park purchase and improvements
  • Wayfinding signage program

Downtown Partnership Grants 

The City of Safety Harbor CRA has a Downtown Partnership matching grant reimbursement program. Grant categories include façade, front porch, fencing, signage, public art, landscaping, dumpster enclosure, interior renovation, new non-residential building, market/hardware store use, and artistic bicycle rack. Both residential and non-residential properties within the Community Redevelopment District are eligible for several grant types.

Main Street Design Study

In 2023, a Main Street Design Study was conducted to explore ideas to address downtown parking demand, business wayfinding signage and a-frame signage, wider sidewalks, and locations for additional shade trees.

A community meeting took place on August 15th, 2023. A meeting with the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown business community took place on August 15, 2023. A community survey and downtown business survey were conducted. Results are summarized below:

Community Engagement and Survey Draft Summary

Community Survey Results

Business Survey Results

Final Main Street Design Study 2023

Documents

For more information on the Community Redevelopment Agency, check out the following: