CRA-1. - Expand Cra Facade Improvement Program

North Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (NBCRA) 1

CRA-1. A RESOLUTION OF THE CHAIRPERSON AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE NORTH BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (NORTH BEACH CRA) AMENDING THE COMMERCIAL FACADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM TO: (I) EXPAND THE CURRENT BOUNDARIES OF THE PROGRAM TO MAKE ALL COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES LOCATED WITHIN THE NORTH BEACH CRA ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE; (II) PERMIT MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS BY A PROPERTY OWNER OR TENANT WITH INTERESTS IN MORE THAN ONE ELIGIBLE PROPERTY; AND (III) AUTHORIZE THE CRA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OR HIS/HER DESIGNEE TO MAKE NONSUBSTANTIAL CHANGES TO THE PROGRAM GUIDELINES, AS NEEDED. Applicable Area:

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

RECOMMENDATION

CRA staff recommends that the Board of the North Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (“North Beach CRA”) approve modifications to the Commercial Facade Improvement Program (“Program”) to expand access and increase utilization.

Specifically, the Resolution would:

1. Expand Program eligibility to all commercial properties within the North Beach CRA; 2. Allow property and business owners with multiple folios or businesses to participate; and 3. Reaffirm the authority of the CRA Executive Director or designee to implement nonsubstantial changes to Program guidelines as needed.

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

The Commercial Façade Improvement Program was established in 2023 via North Beach CRA Resolution No. 009-2023, following a City Commission referral (December 14, 2022) and recommendations from the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee (May 24, 2024) and the North Beach CRA Advisory Committee (LTC 176-2023).

The Program supports the North Beach CRA Redevelopment Plan, which encourages initiatives that enhance the visual appearance, functionality, and sustainability of commercial properties: • Redevelopment Goal 1 - Economic Development Opportunities for Businesses, Property Owners, and Residents promotes economic development opportunities through rehabilitation and beautification grants (Section 8.3). • Redevelopment Goal 4 - Protect and Enhance Neighborhood Character encourages façade improvement programs that incorporate resilient design as a form of building adaptation.

Per Program guidelines, each application must be approved by the CRA Board and is eligible for a maximum reimbursement of $20,000.

Current Program Guidelines & Applicability

Initially, the Program was limited to the commercial district surrounding Normandy Fountain, and as recommended by the FERC and CRA Advisory Committee. This pilot approach allowed CRA staff to assess interest and refine administration on a smaller scale. Despite extensive outreach, including business canvassing, public meetings, media marketing, community engagement, and discussion at multiple CRA Advisory Committee meetings, application interest was limited.

In 2024, CRA Resolution No. 016-2024 expanded the Program boundary to include Collins Avenue, following the recommendation of the CRA Advisory Committee (LTC 159-2024). This expansion aimed to increase access to grant funding and targeted the CD-2-zoned commercial corridor. Outreach has since included regular canvassing of Collins Avenue businesses.

ANALYSIS

The Administration recommends additional measures to broaden eligibility, reduce participation barriers, and improve operational efficiency.

1. Proposed Expansion of Program Area

While the 2024 expansion included Collins Avenue, the Program still excludes portions of 71 st Street in Town Center and other scattered commercial properties within the CRA. Following engagement with businesses outside the current boundaries, CRA staff recommends expanding eligibility to all commercial properties within the CRA to better align with redevelopment goals.

See Exhibit A - Proposed Program BoundaryExpansion

2. Proposed Broadening of Eligibility

Current guidelines restrict participation to ensure equitable access:

• • •

No property may receive more than one grant within a five (5) year period. Second applications within five years are placed on a waiting list. Property owners must wait two (2) years before applying for a different address.

These restrictions have proven limiting in North Beach, where many property owners control multiple folios. Rather than enabling cohesive improvements across adjacent properties, a best practice in other Florida CRAs, the current rules result in fragmented upgrades.

At its May 13, 2025 meeting, the CRA Advisory Committee recommended relaxing these restrictions (LTC 214-2025), following input from a local business owner and Program participant. With additional program funding available, the Administration supports this recommendation to promote coordinated property improvements across multiple properties and corridor-wide enhancements.

3. Reaffirmation of Authority for Minor Modifications

CRA Resolution No. 009-2023, which created the Program, authorizes the CRA Executive Director (City Manager) or designee to approve minor programmatic changes:

“Amendments to these guidelines may be incorporated from time to time by the North Beach CRA. Vested authority shall be granted to the North Beach CRA Executive Director or his/her designee to authorize minor waiver or amendment to these guidelines. All major amendments to or deviation from these guidelines shall be approved by the North Beach CRA Board.”

CRA staff seeks to reaffirm this authority to clarify that the Executive Director may approve minor, nonsubstantial changes, such as clarifying language or removing barriers to participation, without returning to the Board for each adjustment. This will streamline administration and facilitate timely

grant disbursement. All grant awards and any proposed changes with material or fiscal implications will continue to require CRA Board approval.

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

The combined budget allocation for the CRA’s residential and commercial improvement programs is $301,000. Structured as a reimbursable matching grant, the Program covers up to 70% of the eligible expenses, not to exceed $20,000 per application. Each grant award remains subject to CRA Board approval.

The proposed changes will expand access to a program that fosters public-private partnerships, encourages private reinvestment, and empowers business and property owners to drive revitalization in North Beach.

Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate? (FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)

If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on: See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

CONCLUSION

To support the North Beach CRA’s mission of enhancing commercial corridors, supporting local businesses, and attracting investment, CRA staff recommends approval of the proposed Program modifications to:

• •

Expand eligibility to all commercial properties within the North Beach CRA;

• •

Remove restrictive provisions that limit participation;

• •

Allow property and business owners with multiple holdings to apply; and

• •

Reaffirm the Executive Director’s authority to make nonsubstantial adjustments to improve efficiency.

These changes will increase participation and help accelerate North Beach’s transformation into a vibrant, walkable, and economically resilient destination.

Applicable Area

North Beach

Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No

If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):

Department

Economic Development

Sponsor(s)

Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt

Co-sponsor(s)

Condensed Title

Amend NBCRA Commercial Facade Improvement Program. (Bhatt) ED

Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)

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µ 10/14/2025 SHEET NO. North Beach CRA Commercial Facade Improvement Program DAT E

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NBCRA And Expanded Facade Program

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Program Expansion (2024)

Original Program Boundary (2023)

North Beach CRA District Boundary

Proposed Expansion (2025)

RESOLUTION NO.

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A RESOLUTION OF THE CHAIRPERSON AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE NORTH BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (NORTH BEACH CRA) AMENDING THE COMMERCIAL FACADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM TO: (I) EXPAND THE CURRENT BOUNDARIES OF THE PROGRAM TO MAKE ALL COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES LOCATED WITHIN THE NORTH BEACH CRA ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE; (II) PERMIT MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS BY A PROPERTY OWNER OR TENANT WITH INTERESTS IN MORE THAN ONE ELIGIBLE PROPERTY; AND (111) AUTHORIZE THE CRA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OR HIS/HER DESIGNEE TO MAKE NONSUBSTANTIAL CHANGES TO THE PROGRAM GUIDELINES, AS NEEDED.

WHEREAS, on June 28, 2023, the Chairperson and Board of Directors of the North Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (the "North Beach CRA") adopted Resolution No. 009-2023, approving the Commercial Facade Improvement Program (the "Program"), following recommendations from the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee and the North Beach CRA Advisory Committee ("Advisory Committee"); and

WHEREAS, the North Beach CRA Redevelopment Plan ("Redevelopment Plan") emphasizes public realm improvements for North Beach CRA funding, recognizing that an attractive streetscape positively impacts residential quality of life and supports business retention and attraction; and

WHEREAS, the Redevelopment Plan's Business Attraction & Retention strategy encourages incentive programs to inspire building owners to invest in their property and undertake valuable resiliency and adaptation measures; and

WHEREAS, Redevelopment Goal 1, titled Economic Development Opportunities for Businesses, Property Owners, and Residents, promotes economic development opportunities through rehabilitation and beautification grants; and

WHEREAS, Redevelopment Goal 4, titled Protect and Enhance Neighborhood Character, encourages facade improvement programs that incorporate resilient design as a form of building adaptation; and

WHEREAS, the Program aims to substantially improve the visible appearance of commercial properties and adjacent streetscapes, enhance business functionality and sustainability, and cultivate an elevated visual experience through aesthetic enhancements; and

WHEREAS, the Program is administered as a matching grant, requiring applicants to invest their own funds and fostering private reinvestment into the Redevelopment Area, with the North Beach CRA funding the reimbursement of up to seventy percent (70%) of the grantee's eligible expenses, not exceeding $20,000 per application; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to North Beach CRA Resolution No. 038-2025 and City Commission Resolution No. 2025-33949, the North Beach CRA's FY 2026 budget allocates $301,000 for the Commercial Facade Improvement Program and the Residential Property Improvement Program; and

WHEREAS, initially, the Program was limited to the commercial district surrounding Normandy Fountain; and

WHEREAS, in 2024, via North Beach CRA Resolution No. 016-2024, the Program eligibility boundaries were expanded to include the Collins Avenue business corridor; and

WHEREAS, under the current Program guidelines, eligibility is limited to a single application per property owner or tenant, thereby precluding owners or tenants with interests in multiple properties from submitting separate applications for each eligible property; and

WHEREAS, on May 13, 2025, the Advisory Committee recommended amending the Program to remove restrictive or limiting language in order to increase participation; and

WHEREAS, broadening eligibility is expected to enable more cohesive improvements across adjacent properties, a practice successfully implemented by other Florida CRAs; and

WHEREAS, based on staff engagement with businesses located within the North Beach CRA but outside the current Program boundaries, North Beach CRA staff has determined that expanding the Program to include all commercial properties within the North Beach CRA would advance the Program's enhancement and beautification goals, ultimately benefiting the North Beach CRA as a whole; and

WHEREAS, the City Commission Memorandum accompanying North Beach CRA Resolution No. 009-2023, approving the Commercial Facade Improvement Program, contained language allowing the North Beach CRA Executive Director his/her designee to authorize minor amendments to the Program guidelines; and

WHEREAS, reaffirming the authority granted by CRA Resolution No. 009-2023 to the CRA Executive Director or designee to make nonsubstantial changes to the Program guidelines will facilitate the effective implementation and continued success of the Program; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE CHAIRPERSON AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE NORTH BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, that the Chairperson and Board of Directors of the North Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (North Beach CRA) hereby amend the Commercial Facade Improvement Program to: (i) expand the current boundaries of the program to make all commercial properties located within the North Beach CRA eligible to participate; (ii) permit multiple applications by a property owner or tenant with interests in more than one eligible property; and (iii) authorize the CRA Executive Director or his/her designee to make nonsubstantial changes to the program guidelines, as needed.

PASSED and ADOPTED this

day of

ATTEST:

Rafael E. Granado, Secretary

(Sponsored by Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt)

2025.

Steven Meiner, Chairperson

APPROVED AS TO FORM G LANGUAGE & FOR EXECUTION

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Redevelopment Agency General Counsel

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