By J.A. Jones, Staff Writer
ST. PETERSBURG — The South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Area (CRA), established by the city in 2015, held its first summit, a public meeting hosted by the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) at the Enoch Davis Center Tuesday, May 19.
The summit’s goals were to offer an overview of activity in the CRA since its inception, give an update on key projects inside and around the targeted area and hear community concerns, suggestions and input for the new budget.
Some of the highlights of the presentation revealed the following findings regarding the CRA’s effectiveness up to this point.
Major projects completed since 2015 include:
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Callaloo’s at Manhattan Casino
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Deuces Live/I-275 Gateway Feature (Underpass Lighting and Mural project)
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Workforce Contract Extension (extend/increase project with Pinellas Ex-offender Re-entry Coalition, expand support services for clients)
Major completed/ongoing revitalization projects include:
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St. Petersburg Commerce Park site — Six employers projected beginning late summer; at least 65 jobs with incentives for hiring CRA and low-to-moderate income residents
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Enoch Davis Youth Farm project — 36,0000 square feet site with a focus on STEM, entrepreneurial training for high school students
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Full-service workforce development program to serve all residents of the CRA with educational, career certification and training opportunities, request for proposal to be released in Fall 2018
Assessment of Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization include:
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Few multifamily applications
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Focus more on affordable housing delivery, single-family renovation and new construction
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Target market multifamily property owners and developers
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Incentivize affordability in “Rebates for Residential Rehabilitation” program
Assessment of “CRAdle to Career” education and workforce training include:
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Need to broaden workforce offering to hire entire CRA community, not just the “hard to hire”
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Improve and expand daycare offerings for infants
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Assist family daycare providers with training/facilities
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Included teen workforce readiness & entrepreneurial training
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Ensure full-time /permanent employment is the outcome of any “St. Pete Works!” program