Apopka’s Downtown is changing!
The heart of Apopka’s downtown includes the Community Redevelopment Area District, the Central Business District, and the Enterprise Zone.
Community Redevelopment Area
The Community Redevelopment Area (CRA), was established in 1993. Under Florida law (Chapter 163, Part III), local governments are able to designate areas as Community Redevelopment Areas when certain conditions exist. Since all the monies used in financing CRA activities are locally generated, CRAs are not overseen by the state, but redevelopment plans must be consistent with local government comprehensive plans. Examples of conditions that can support the creation of a Community Redevelopment Area include, but are not limited to: the presence of substandard or inadequate structures, a shortage of affordable housing, inadequate infrastructure, insufficient roadways, and inadequate parking. To document that the required conditions exist, the local government must survey the proposed redevelopment area and prepare a Finding of Necessity. If the Finding of Necessity determines that the required conditions exist, the local government may create a Community Redevelopment Area to provide the tools needed to foster and support redevelopment of the targeted area.
Community Redevelopment Agency
The activities and programs offered within a Community Redevelopment Area are administered by the Community Redevelopment Agency. A five- to seven-member CRA “Board” created by the local government directs the agency. The City of Apopka Board is comprised of City Council, an Orange County Board of County Commissioners representative, and other individuals appointed by the local government. The CRA district maintains a separate trust fund, and expends those funds only in that district.