Hollywood Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board Meeting – March 4, 2026

The Hollywood CRA Board met on March 4, 2026, at 9:00 AM in City Hall Commission Chambers. The meeting covered two major presentations: a cost-benefit analysis of backflow preventers, street raising, and pump stations for Central Beach flood mitigation; and an overview of the Downtown Hollywood Retail Recruitment Strategy. The board also approved consent items, including an extension of a Property Improvement Program (PIP) grant for Le Tub, and received updates on several beach and downtown property enhancement projects. Board members directed staff to move forward with installing backflow preventers (waypros) as an immediate flood‑relief measure and to finalize a downtown business survey. A workshop with downtown property owners and businesses was planned for the near future.

Consent Calendar

• Items 5–8 were approved unanimously. These included approval of minutes from prior CRA meetings (October 9, 2025; November 5, 2025; December 10, 2025) and R‑CRA‑2026‑11: an amendment to the Property Improvement Program grant agreement with Burger Beach, LLC for 1100 N. Ocean Drive (Le Tub), correcting the project completion date and providing a six‑month extension.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Andre (speaker) reported concerns about streetlight outages along 26th Avenue and criticized the privatization of sanitation services on 56th Avenue. He also urged prayers for soldiers overseas.
• Richard (speaker) requested that the CRA put the planned traffic signal at A1A and Carolina Street on hold until mid‑block crosswalk concepts (previously requested at the September 3, 2025 meeting) are provided. He stated that FPL poles had been removed and that the light could now be installed quickly, but argued that further lights near the bridge would cause congestion and none of the required studies had been completed.
• Bob Glickman (Hollywood Beach resident) requested: (1) a residential parking permit for beach residents; (2) a truck ordinance limiting delivery times and truck sizes along A1A; and (3) a solar‑panel protection ordinance to prevent new construction from blocking existing solar panels. He also thanked the city for fixing potholes on the Hollywood Beach bridge and noted that the FDOT secretary is expected to visit next month.

Presentation: Central Beach East‑West Streets – Backflow Preventers and Street Raising Options

• Sarita Shaman (CRA Senior Project Manager) presented a cost analysis of installing 30 redundant backflow preventers (waypros) on 34 east‑west streets at a total cost of $1.3 million. She noted that four waypros already installed on phase 4 streets have shown improved king‑tide flooding conditions. Raising the five lowest street profiles would cost $6.4 million. A comprehensive approach requires partnership with FDOT for pump stations, for which the CRA has budgeted $21.3 million.
• Jonathan Goldman (CDM Smith) summarized that backflow preventers are a quick, low‑cost way to stop tidal backflow flooding on the east side of A1A, but do not address groundwater seepage. Street raising provides additional flood reduction but requires individual engineering studies for each street. Future pump stations are needed for stormwater events.
• Board Member Hernandez supported immediate installation of waypros but stressed that the $21.3 million for pump stations should be spent only after an interlocal agreement with FDOT ensures reimbursement. He suggested that removing curb surrounds around catch basins might disperse water onto private property and should be studied.
• Board Member Shuham asked about harmonization of raised streets with adjacent private property; Goldman confirmed that private property easements and gradual slopes are required. She urged that future designs account for projected sea‑level rise and that the CRA pause between projects to assess impacts.
• Vice Chair Callari asked about cost‑effective alternatives such as trench drains or metal grates. Goldman noted that such options are possible but would have limitations during high tide. Callari emphasized the need for immediate, low‑cost solutions while long‑term pump stations are pursued.
• Board Member Biederman questioned whether the CRA’s budget (with only 14–15 months of funding remaining) could cover these costs; the Executive Director confirmed that waypros are funded, but street raising is not yet budgeted.
• Board Member Quintana supported waypros as a short‑term “band‑aid” and urged using current climate projections in all planning decisions.
• Chair Levy noted that the FDOT secretary is scheduled to attend the April CRA meeting and that the board needed a consolidated position.

Presentation: Downtown Hollywood Retail Recruitment Strategy

• Joann Hussey (Director of Communications, Marketing and Economic Development) presented a six‑part strategy: (1) data‑driven retail targeting; (2) technology and digital tools (including Placer AI foot‑traffic monitoring showing 156,000 unique visitors per month); (3) campaigns and content (geofencing, broker materials, window‑covering program); (4) regulatory improvements (streamlining certificates of use and building permits); (5) consultant engagement (partnering with Retail Strategies to attract national brands); and (6) business and property owner support (quarterly market reports, door‑to‑door outreach, a resident coupon program). Downtown ground‑floor occupancy stands at 77%, with recent residential developments leasing up (e.g., Hollywood Heights over 90%, Nine Hollywood approaching 90%).
• Vice Chair Callari raised the challenge of vacant storefronts owned by out‑of‑state landlords charging high rents. She suggested an interior improvement grant program tied to rent stability. She also proposed a pedestrian bridge over Young Circle and a free downtown shuttle.
• Board Member Hernandez emphasized that new residential units are pulling tenants from older buildings, creating a need to reinvest in those properties. He recommended a survey of new downtown residents to identify desired businesses. He also supported re‑examining interior grants but tied to rent control. He suggested that 21st Avenue and Dixie Highway (county roads) be converted to two‑way streets for better downtown access.
• Board Member Biederman supported interior grants for historic buildings with aging infrastructure, but proposed directing the incentive to the tenant rather than the landlord. He also suggested co‑op advertising with businesses and funding petty cabs to circulate between parking garages and the downtown core.
• Board Member Quintana endorsed the survey and the petty‑cab idea, noting that a diverse business mix will encourage visitors to linger.
• Board Member Gruber supported the petty‑cab concept but was hesitant about trade‑show travel; he preferred targeted commercials in northern markets. He also supported interior grants but not rent stabilization, advocating instead for direct subsidies to tenants to close the gap between older buildings’ high renovation costs and newer spaces.
• Chair Levy directed CMED to return with a specific interior‑grant proposal and to continue work on the survey and property‑owner roundtable. The board expressed consensus to move forward with the retailer recruitment strategy.

Property Improvement Program (PIP) Updates

• 600 N. Surf Road – Completed facade renovation (coastal white with orange accents, glass railings). Total project cost ~$198,370; CRA reimbursement $50,000. Property owner Ben Sealy thanked the board and noted the actual cost exceeded initial estimates.
• 200 Garfield Street (Florio’s) – Conceptual renderings for a facade modernization were presented. Owner Massimo Gramanzini described a long‑term vision including a 3D artwork at the building’s rear to welcome visitors. Board members encouraged more vibrant colors and preserving the historic side window.
• 1504 N. Broadwalk – An AI‑generated rendering was shown to inspire the property’s new owner toward facade improvements.
• South Ocean Drive property – Expanded PIP scope includes turtle‑friendly lighting, parking lot repaving, landscape, and impact‑rated doors. Owner has already invested ~$1.125 million in private concrete, seawall, and roof repairs.
• 2134 Lincoln Street – The board approved staff’s recommendation to separate the parking‑lot portion (estimated at ~$280,000) from the original facade project, allowing the property owner to proceed immediately with paint, stucco, and impact windows/doors. The parking‑lot issue will be addressed as a future phase.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Items (5–8): Approved unanimously.
• Waypro Installation: Board gave direction to proceed with installation of up to 30 backflow preventers on Central Beach east‑west streets. Staff will bring a resolution for approval at the April 2026 CRA meeting, with installation targeted before the fall king‑tide season at a cost of $1.3 million.
• Downtown Retail Strategy: Staff will present a reworked citywide Property Improvement Program (combining PIP, HOP, mural programs) at the April meeting. A property‑owner roundtable and resident survey will be conducted, with results to inform future business‑recruitment efforts.
• Lincoln Street Property: Staff authorized to proceed with the facade and impact‑window project separately from the parking‑lot expansion. The parking‑lot issue will be revisited.
• Truck Ordinance: The board expressed support for reviewing and enforcing a truck ordinance on the beach and along A1A, to be addressed at a future meeting.
• FDOT Secretary Visit: The CRA will coordinate with the FDOT secretary, scheduled for the April meeting, to formalize an interlocal agreement for funding and maintenance of pump stations and flood‑control infrastructure along A1A.