Community Redevelopment Agency - 11/12/26

The City of Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting on November 12, 2026, focused on East Tampa housing and redevelopment funding, neighborhood concerns, and updates to CRA-supported projects. The East Tampa CAC reported a proposed $1.5 million reallocation of available pre-development funds to housing rehabilitation, down-payment assistance, and unit creation/conversion. It also cited approximately $10.48 million budgeted for housing initiatives (about 67% of projected tax-increment revenue), and described affordable housing and restoration projects in development. The board discussed community concerns about home-repair program communication and liens. It also approved a clarification to the previously authorized, up-to-$200,000 home-repair allocation, extending eligibility to qualifying current applications where work had not started and allowing case-by-case discretion for identified environmental or sanitation issues. For a proposed small commercial-improvement grant approach, the board continued the item to February 11, 2027, to allow further community discussion and consideration of liability and property-owner approval requirements.

The CRA discussed proposed revisions to its community benefits agreement, including repealing the existing CRA agreement, removing the CRA from the city’s agreement, and incorporating benefits into grant funding agreements; the transcript does not clearly show the final action on that item. The board received and filed the Tampa Union Station update and approved an amendment to include an additional stormwater project in the ponds study; items 11–15 were then approved. Staff also reported that site preparation for the Palafox property is moving toward demolition procurement before a future development solicitation. The board continued the standard rules and procedures item to February 12, 2027, and the Tampa Bay Rays-related agreements item to December 10, 2026. Members discussed preparing for potential CRA revenue reductions under Amendment 3, with staff expected to return with revenue projections; no specific contract award or vendor selection was identified.