Community Redevelopment Agency - 10/08/26

The Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency board meeting was held October 8, 2026. The board discussed CRA-funded housing, commercial grants, and infrastructure projects. It approved a motion directing staff to work with Irwin Technical, zoning, and Hillsborough County Public Schools on a pilot for affordable accessory dwelling units in East Tampa and return in January 2027 with estimated costs, possible funding sources, partner roles, eligibility criteria, and a timeline. Irwin Technical’s container-built units were estimated at about $20,000 each before labor and installation; a board member suggested total costs might be around $25,000 per unit. The board also approved a motion to consider exceptions to the housing rehabilitation program’s $150,000 project cap in certain life-safety or habitability circumstances; staff said it would return with more specific guidelines. The director reported the first West Tampa commercial design grant had been awarded for 2113 West Main Street, but the grant amount was not clear in the transcript. For the Jackson House, the board received an update that pre-construction planning was underway with the contracted Sinclair Group.

The Channel District CRA update covered the completed acquisition and demolition at 1125–1127 Twiggs Street for planned park space, pending scope and proposal work for Washington Street park renovations, and stormwater improvements for which Kimmans was expected to proceed after a notice to proceed. Public commenters raised concerns about East Tampa grant and homeowner-rehabilitation terms, and about a proposed stadium district’s potential effects on Hillsborough Community College facilities; these were public comments, not board procurement approvals. The board also approved motions for a January 2027 staff report on options to memorialize Dr. Bernard Lafayette Jr. and a feasibility review of a dedicated CRA advisory seat for the Hillsborough County NAACP. Items five and six were continued to November 12, 2026, and February 11, 2027, respectively; the transcript does not identify their underlying subjects.