Committee to review CRA structure
by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter
Expanding the Bradenton Beach community redevelopment agency will likely be the first issue an advisory group on the CRA will address.
In early June, the Bradenton Beach City Commission, which also acts as the CRA governing board, agreed to have the city’s ScenicWAVES group address CRA matters.
The community redevelopment agency was established about 16 years ago to revitalize the area bounded by the water on the east and west, Cortez Road on the north and Fifth Street South on the south.
Community Redevelopment Block Grant funding from the state and property taxes channeled back to the district have provided funding for CRA projects over the years.
One of the CRA’s major projects has been the rebuilding of the Historic Bridge Street Pier, which reopened last fall.
With the pier work complete - though a loan remains to be paid off - some civic leaders and business owners have suggested the CRA tackle new projects, specifically parking improvements.
That discussion led to a recommendation that more people be involved in the CRA, with an advisory group and possibly the expansion of the CRA board.
With the ScenicWAVES now appointed as the advisory committee, the first issue members will face is a proposal to add people to the CRA board.
ScenicWAVES member and Bradenton Beach business-owner David Teitelbaum recommended expanding the CRA board during a meeting June 23.
“Could we bring to the commission a resolution that two or three members be added to the five-member board?” Teitelbaum said.
ScenicWAVES member and local business-owner Ed Chiles suggested additional members should reside within the CRA district.
The committee agreed to further discussion during its meeting at 3 p.m. July 14, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N. |
