Downtown Ocala CRA Advisory Committee Meeting - April 28, 2026

The Downtown Ocala Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Advisory Committee met on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 10:00 AM in the Ocala City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included approval of previous minutes, project updates, a discussion on proposed modifications to the CRA grant programs, and a presentation on the upcoming Sand and Sun Festival. Key topics included low utilization of downtown CRA grants, challenges facing retail businesses, and the need to streamline the grant application process.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the February 24, 2026, meeting were approved unanimously by the committee.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were offered during the designated period.

Project Updates

• Grant Update: Charlotte Whitehead, Economic Development Project Coordinator, reported that a grant application for Forge Madison Commons LLC (343 NE First Ave, CRA 26-0010) was approved by the CRA Board on April 21, 2026, due to a conflict of interest with a committee member. The grant, not to exceed $50,000, will fund the retrofitting of three outdoor containers for Slider Shack, Ramen Noodles, and Pastry Planet. A soft opening is expected in about two months.
• Mural Tank Lighting: Eric Smith, Senior Transportation Project Administrator, announced that the lighting for the mural tank is fully installed. Final utility connection is pending, after which the RGB lights will be operational for seasonal use.
• State Route 40 Resurfacing: The FDOT milling and resurfacing project is underway in three phases. The city secured approval for brick-stamped crosswalks at West First Avenue, Magnolia Avenue, East First Avenue, Osceola Avenue, and Watula Avenue, with a lattice pattern. FDOT has committed to completing the project before the Christmas parade and Light Up Ocala.
• Parking Garage: The six-story parking garage (200 spaces reserved for hotel, 600 public) is on track for a certificate of occupancy by July 27, 2026, with a likely earlier completion. The top two floors will serve the adjoining hotel. Construction is progressing rapidly.

Discussion Items

• Modifications to CRA Grant Programs: Roberto Ellis, Economic Development Manager, presented staff's proposal to revitalize the downtown CRA retail grant program, originally rescinded in 2019. Over the last two years, only four downtown CRA grant applications were received, compared to higher numbers in other CRAs. Staff aims to align with the Vision 2050 plan and address rising retail turnover and pedestrian traffic concerns. Committee members provided extensive feedback:
  • Don Gulling and others highlighted the high cost of doing business downtown, including property taxes, triple-net leases, and rent increases, which are forcing out retailers like Stella's and Owl Night Owl Bakery.
  • Timing and process: Multiple members urged streamlining the grant process, noting that the requirement to secure bids and wait for approval before starting construction delays projects. They suggested allowing applicants to begin work before grant approval, provided the certificate of occupancy is not issued until the grant is finalized.
  • Grant amount: The current $50,000 maximum was deemed insufficient for substantial build-outs; members recommended raising the cap.
  • Bid requirements: Members argued that requiring two competitive bids is unnecessary for large or design-build projects, where competitive pricing is already inherent. They proposed waiving the requirement for projects where the grant covers less than 25% of total cost.
  • Data collection: A member requested a foot-traffic study to better understand downtown activity patterns.
  • Unified marketing: Suggestions included using CRA funds for a coordinated downtown marketing campaign and seasonal lighting (e.g., holiday building outlines) to attract visitors.
  • Property tax assistance: A member inquired whether the CRA could provide grants to offset monthly property tax costs for retailers. Staff noted that funds must be tied to permanent improvements, but vacancies could be linked to blight reduction, potentially allowing a workaround.
• Trolley Service: Jess Truman, Growth Management Director, confirmed that the permanent trolley bus will arrive in May 2026. Routes will be revisited based on feedback from Main Street and others, with a focus on connectivity to the north side, south side, and the new parking garage.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved unanimously.
• Grant update noted (no committee action required).
• No formal votes were taken on grant program modifications; staff will incorporate committee feedback and present a comprehensive framework at a future meeting. A CRA Board workshop is scheduled for June 9, 2026, to address procedural and policy issues.
• Sand and Sun Festival announced for Saturday, May 16, 2026 (10 AM–5 PM) at Citizen Circle. The free event features a professional sand sculpting competition, kids' activities, live music (including a Jimmy Buffett tribute band), and local vendors. Committee members expressed support.
• Next meeting: June 23, 2026.

Note on Public Notice: The agenda states the public notice was published on April 20, 2026, but the meeting transcript indicates it was posted on April 28, 2026. This discrepancy was not addressed during the meeting.