CRA review for March 12 2026

March 9, 2026

I don't live in a CRA...so I am slightly JADED about the spending in the CRA. IMHO this is the worst agenda I've seen in months.

  1. Jeffery Johnson to provide a verbal report outlining CAC activities for the East Tampa CRA.
  2. CRA directors report
  3. CRA funding agreement for the FL aquarium in Channel district CRA- According to a letter to the State of FL a few months ago from a local land use attorney, there is less than 2 acres and less than 2% redevelop able land.  Last month at Tiger Bay the Mayor stated that there was only 2 LOTS left in the Channel district CRA that is considered to be re-developable.  So, when does this CRA sunset and return the funding to the general fund.  THUS giving affordable services to the rest of the city not located in a CRA???
  4. Downtown CRA-- Is this item for 801 Whiting St or 701 Whiting St?? Multiple uses of both addresses in the agenda?  Workforce housing at 80% AMI, 120% AMI (AKA MARKET RATE) and 140% AMI, if we can’t fund TRUE affordable with CRA funds, then what is the point for setting aside the 30% for affordable housing.  $4million should result in “workforce housing”  it should be TRUE affordable- less than 80%
  5. East Tampa CRA-- 3812-3816 Temple St, the GRANT PARK property for 12 affordable housing units for $1.75 million at 100% AMI…when do we address the 30-80% AMI if not with CRA funds?
  6. Union Station Monthly update--- the Mayor blames Tampa City Council for disrupting the work patterns for staff BUT this is the perfect example of why TCC has to constantly ask for reports…because IF otherwise, they would get NOTHING done! It’s ridiculous.
  7. Central Park CAC appointment of Casey Bauer
  8. West Tampa CAC appointment of Janice Williams and Allen Berrebbi
  9. $700k grant to Tampa Arts Alliance for downtown Arts Center project.  It is peachy that the CRA has the funds to grant to the Arts, but the rest of our city has parks that are falling apart, sidewalks missing, huge potholes in our streets and low income folks without housing… priorities… just sayin.
  10. Kid Mason Program change- $22million for such a small building?  SMH
  11. Curtis Hixon Park gets a whopping $5.5 million for their updates.  Yet, kiddos in other parts of the city don’t have SAFE parks to play in?  We couldn’t get a park update in South Tampa that was paid for by THEA in 2021 until the last couple of months.  BUT downtown and Channelside have MILLIONS to spend on their parks.    If only I could win the lottery…
  12. East Tampa CRA for the purchase of 4539 N 19th St for $290k, it indicates in the agenda that this is for multiple properties…but I don’t see that elsewhere??  Why is the COT paying $10k in closing costs on top?  This is a buyers market?
  13. 4 lots in West Tampa CRA by agreement with Domain Homes for four lots on Spruce St and one lot on W Conrad st for 140% AMI