In 1969, Florida enacted legislation enabling local governments to create community redevelopment areas and community redevelopment agencies (CRAs) to oversee redevelopment activities in these areas. Under Florida law (Chapter 163, Part III), local governments are able to designate areas as Community Redevelopment Areas when certain conditions exist that meet the statutory definition of slum and blight. Examples of conditions that can support the creation of a Community Redevelopment Area include the presence of substandard or inadequate structures, a shortage of affordable housing, inadequate infrastructure, insufficient roadways, and inadequate parking. To document that the required conditions exist, the local government must survey the proposed redevelopment area and prepare a Finding of Necessity. If the Finding of Necessity determines that the required conditions exist, the local government may create a Community Redevelopment Area and appoint a board to oversee the activities of the Agency. As of 2016, there are 217 CRAs operating in Florida.

The City Council members serve as the CRA Board. It is important to note that although the City Council members sit as the CRA Board, the CRA Board is legally a separate entity than the City Council. For a current listing of the Board chair, vice-chair, and members, please see below:

(Please click on each member to link to their contact information)

• CRA Board Chair Ire Bethea, Sr.
• CRA Board Vice Chair James Hilty
• CRA Board Member Kristen Dreyer
• CRA Board Member Barry Mansfield
• CRA Board Member Jay Musleh

The CRA Board meets prior to City Council meetings, as needed. The City Council meets the first and third Tuesday of the month at 4:00 pm at City Hall in the Council Chambers on the second floor.

Each CRA subarea has an Advisory Committee that makes recommendations to the CRA Board on projects and programs. The Boards and Commissions page can be found here.

Information on upcoming and previous CRA Board and CRA Advisory Committee meetings can be found here.

Staff of the Growth Management Department administer the projects and programs of the Ocala CRA. Contact information and other information relevant to the administration of the CRA is provided in the list below:

Registered Agents Name: Gus Gianikas

Registered Office Address: City of Ocala Growth Management, 201 SE 3rd St., Second Floor, Ocala, FL 34471

Telephone: (352) 629-8311

Fax: (352) 629-8242

Email: GGianikas@ocalafl.org

Status: Dependent

Local Governing Authority: City of Ocala

Function: Community Redevelopment

Date Established: June 22, 1999

Creation Documents: City Resolution 99-101

Statutory Authority: Chapter 163, Part III, Florida Statutes

Governing Body: City of Ocala

Authority to Issue Bonds: Yes

Revenue Score: Tax Increment Financing

 

 

The Ocala Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) was established in 1988 after a finding of necessity was adopted by the City Council for the Downtown Redevelopment Area.  The original purpose of the CRA was to create a redevelopment framework in which the Downtown district would evolve into a more dynamic mixed-use area with a variety of activities including dining, entertainment, retail, cultural, office, financial, residential, and governmental uses. The Ocala CRA now contains four (4) subareas as defined below.

1. Downtown Redevelopment Area was designated as part of the community redevelopment area pursuant to Resolution No. 88-52 adopted May 24, 1988.
2. North Magnolia Redevelopment Area was designated as part of the community redevelopment area pursuant toResolution No. 2000-07 adopted November 2, 1999.
3. West Ocala Redevelopment Area was designated as part of the community redevelopment area pursuant to Resolution No. 2016-10 adopted November 17, 2015.
4. East Ocala Redevelopment Area was designated as part of the community redevelopment area pursuant to Resolution No. 2016-32 adopted May 17, 2016.

Each of the four subareas of the Ocala CRA have their own separate trust fund. The money collected within the boundaries of each subarea is deposited into the associated trust fund. Expenditure of trust fund money must be done within the subarea from where it was generated.

Location and Boundaries of Ocala CRA Sub-areas

Citywide Map showing boundaries of all subareas

Downtown CRA Map

North Magnolia CRA Map

West Ocala CRA Map

East Ocala CRA Map

The Community Redevelopment Agency is responsible for developing and implementing the Community Redevelopment Plan that addresses the unique needs of each subarea. The redevelopment plan provides guidelines and strategies for removing physical and economic blight and provide a vision, goals and timetables for generating growth and new opportunities. Redevelopment plans are created with political, business, and community participation. The plans are the roadmap for spurring growth and improving the quality of life and general welfare of the people who live and work in and around redevelopment areas.

In addition to the overall goals for redevelopment in the area, the plan identifies the types of projects planned for the area. Examples of traditional projects include streetscapes and roadway improvements, grants for building renovations, parking facilities, and parks. The redevelopment plan is a living document that can be updated to meet the changing needs within the Community Redevelopment Area. In order to find the redevelopment plans and other documents for each subarea, please visit the subarea pages below.

Downtown CRA

North Magnolia CRA

West Ocala CRA

East Ocala CRA

 

Budget and Financial information for all districts

In addition to the required annual CAFR report to the State of Florida, many CRAs publish an annual report for business owners and citizens, highlighting key facts and accomplishments of the CRA.

ADA Accessible - Downloadable

FY2022 Ocala CRA Annual Report

FY2021 Ocala CRA Annual Report

FY2020 Ocala CRA Annual Report

FY 2019 Ocala CRA Annual Report

FY2018 Ocala CRA Annual Report

 

In the fall of 2022 the City of Ocala brought on consultant firm, Purvis Gray, to audit the financial statements of the governmental activities and the major fund of the Ocala Community Redevelopment Agency. 

 

The final audit document can be found here: 2022 Ocala Community Redevelopment Agency Financial Statements and Independent Auditor's Report

Board members are subject to the Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees, adopted by the state legislature, which contains standards of ethical conduct and disclosures.

Information regarding the Code of Ethics