Hollywood CRA Regular Meeting - November 6, 2024

The Hollywood Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board met on November 6, 2024, at 9:00 AM in City Hall. The meeting covered consent agenda items (budgetary transfers for the Beach and Downtown districts), three property improvement grant (PIP) proposals, a comprehensive presentation on the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for both districts, and approval of construction and design contracts for the Harrison Street Streetscape project. Several items were continued to the December 4, 2024 meeting, and the board gave direction on future investment priorities.

Consent Calendar

• Items R-CRA-2024-46 through R-CRA-2024-49 were approved unanimously. These resolutions authorized year-end budget transfers and amendments for both the Beach and Downtown CRA districts for Fiscal Year 2024 and Fiscal Year 2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

• One member of the public (name not stated) spoke, congratulating the newly elected commissioner and emphasizing the importance of civic participation and understanding meeting materials.

Discussion Items

• Item 9 (R-CRA-2024-50): PIP Grant for 126 N. Dixie Highway (Design2form Holdings, LLC) – Project manager Chris Cresido presented a $75,000 grant for a building renovation at 126 N. Dixie Highway, including impact windows, storefront glazing, paint, stucco, lighting, and removal of window/wall AC units. Total project cost: $200,000; CRA grant: $75,000 (35% of total). The property owner and architect, Zamar Brown, explained the design preserves a curved entrance element. The building will house the firm’s office. Board members expressed support and suggested adding bollards and improving sidewalk width. The motion to approve passed unanimously.
• Item 10 (R-CRA-2024-51): PIP Grant for 1501 S. Ocean Drive (Oxford Towers, Inc.) – The proposed $75,000 grant for exterior improvements (paint, stucco, new railings) was continued to the December 4, 2024 meeting because the final rendering was not available and board members wanted to resolve a concern about screening of balcony AC compressors. Staff will negotiate a screening solution with the condominium association.
• Item 11 (R-CRA-2024-52): PIP Grant for 1800 N. Ocean Drive (Oasis Condominium Association, Inc.) – The proposed $39,025.60 grant was continued to the December 4, 2024 meeting after staff raised concerns about the condition of the property’s seawall. The board agreed to condition the grant on receipt of a signed and sealed engineer’s letter confirming seawall condition, and suggested exploring a comprehensive improvement including the seawall with CRA support.
• Item 12: CIP Plan Update Presentation – Executive Director Jorge Camejo, Francisco Diaz Mendez, and Sarita Shama presented detailed updates on downtown and beach capital projects.
  • Downtown: Eight projects were reviewed, including the near-complete Hollywood Boulevard Streetscape, neighborhood avenues improvements, Harrison Street Streetscape, Tyler Street Streetscape (north side and future phases), alley drainage improvements, and wayfinding signage. Funding sources for remaining work include cost savings, TIF revenue, property sales, and federal grants. A discussion centered on extending improvements to 21st, 20th, and 19th Avenues (from Harrison to Van Buren) and completing the north side of Tyler Street from 20th to 21st. Board members expressed mixed views; some favored a holistic approach and wanted more cost estimates before committing. The Young Circle circulation modeling ($250,000) was debated; Chair Levy suggested consulting FDOT first before spending additional funds. No formal vote was taken; staff will return with more analysis.
  • Beach: Over 18 projects were reviewed, including A1A complete streets/undergrounding (substantially complete), Coastal Resiliency Phase 4 ($48M, started September 2024, expected end July 2028), Keating Park renovation (permitting stage, 10-11 month construction), four additional drainage basins (estimated costs: $8M for Daffodil, $10.2M for Jackson to Jefferson), and artificial reef deployment (delayed to April 2025 due to vessel issues). Staff highlighted a projected $19.5M deficit if grants are not secured, but with $17.2M in already secured grants, the deficit reduces to about $2M. Board members prioritized stormwater and flood management over “fluff” projects and requested monthly delay updates. The discussion also raised the possibility of using up to $15M for a seawall reconstruction program along the Intracoastal.
• Item 13 (R-CRA-2024-53): Harrison Street Streetscape – Construction Management at Risk Agreement with Burkhardt Construction, Inc. – The board approved a $5,555,813.38 contract (including $789,000 for direct purchase of materials and $283,000 for permit fees). The project includes new lighting (pendant and festoon), decorative pavers, sidewalk extensions, and increased parking. Staff noted construction would begin around March 2025. Approved unanimously.
• Item 14 (R-CRA-2024-54): Harrison Street Streetscape – Architectural and Engineering Services Agreement with Bermello Ajamil & Partners, LLC – Approved a $229,440 contract for design, construction documents, and construction administration. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda items 5-8 approved unanimously.
• Item 9 (126 N. Dixie Highway PIP grant) approved unanimously.
• Items 10 (1501 S. Ocean Drive) and 11 (1800 N. Ocean Drive) continued to the December 4, 2024 CRA meeting.
• Item 13 (Burkhardt Construction) and Item 14 (Bermello Ajamil) approved unanimously.
• Staff directed to: (1) return with cost estimates for Tyler Street north side improvements (including from 19th to 20th) and for the avenue extensions (21st, 20th, 19th from Harrison to Van Buren); (2) consult with FDOT before proceeding with Young Circle modeling; (3) provide monthly project delay updates; (4) explore a comprehensive seawall program for the beach; (5) work with property owners downtown on roof beautification options.
• The meeting concluded with thanks to Vice Chair Linda Hill Anderson, who served her last CRA meeting.