[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6282714,"mediaKeyId","2593063-02f4445934cd14ddb3d5b8ab20086d44","parentId",2593063,"title","Orange Park committee hears overview of CRAs and tax-increment financing","audioSeconds",2393,"startMs",639000,"endMs",3032000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2593063-02f4445934cd14ddb3d5b8ab20086d44&start=639&end=3032","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2593063-02f4445934cd14ddb3d5b8ab20086d44/thumbnail_639000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6282714/Orange-Park/Clay-County/Florida/Orange-Park-committee-hears-overview-of-CRAs-and-tax-increment-financing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6282714-c4d46765df0fde9103cafb14f6870748/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448634&Signature=HC2KXOSL3EYg3k-Kw~-Gs~uYqRoCFfoCNIOFaDqaBmSfUS~z0RzcYDYj8-xY5i9afdXS9QUXUctJhvnj2pOfQNPx2-~vETzLg5savh5r9Bx22e1bSoKwf4EOgCs5gV0kdZS7tUueqV2cDJgXrRbXF-uJL3RF~6Upc6vliqLIimhxwMTAIUOcOTj4cdPn0vduWL6yB-ANHEoY3oCug6FvlLwnPWC5M8vn2IWakP4LxUP-TKfKpjYMsAJVYcLkgdDtKDKVmUNPhOyIKnCjGBxkSPfLybne9Ns-rqXz88n3Kfc34D~cUvAma0HyMZhe6o4uZez7trK0D2MQt6b9qrBnFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Orange Park, FL ","date","2025-01-02T00:00:00Z","article","At the January meeting of the Town of Orange Park Economic & Community Development Committee, interim town manager William Whitson gave a detailed overview of Community Redevelopment Areas (CRAs) and how tax-increment financing (TIF) can be used to fund long-term redevelopment.

Whitson summarized the statutory framework and practical steps for creating a CRA under Florida law, saying, “It's created by Florida Statutes chapter 163 part 3,” and noting that the statute requires local findings that an area qualifies as “slum and blighted.” He told committee members the municipality would need county approval before forming a CRA in Clay County and that the town would have to produce an objective study showing the district meets the statutory criteria.

Whitson explained the basic TIF mechanics: a base year is set for property values inside the designated boundaries; future increases in assessed value (the increment) are captured and placed in a CRA fund to pay for district-specific improvements. “You take that increment of growth, you come up with a CRA plan, and then as you implement the elements within that plan, you can take that growth TIF, put it back into the district,” Whitson said. He emphasized that the base amount remains with the regular taxing authorities and that captured funds must be spent only inside the CRA and only for items listed in the CRA plan.

He cited examples from his experience in Bay County, where Panama City formed multiple CRAs and used TIF dollars for targeted investments: hiring additional police assigned to a district, improving streetscapes, installing lighting, and recruiting businesses into historic buildings. Whitson said one downtown retrofitting project created about 25 jobs. He also described a long-term acquisition approach used in Port Orange, where local government purchased aging trailer units over several years by mutual agreement and later redeveloped the waterfront area.

The committee asked how quickly TIF revenues become available. Whitson said a CRA is generally a long-term tool: plan terms often run up to 30 years and revenue builds slowly. He noted Green Cove Springs had collected roughly $50,000 in its first year and that projections showed substantial growth over time; Whitson said such programs “are not a short term thing” and may take years to generate meaningful funding for major projects. He also clarified legal limits: local city and county taxes can be captured in the increment but school-district millage cannot, and bonding against future TIF receipts is permitted if done in accordance with the plan and accounting requirements.

Several committee members raised local applicability and political sensitivity of the statutory language that requires a finding of “slum and blighted” conditions. Committee members asked whether any neighborhoods inside Orange Park meet the statutory criteria; Whitson said that a study would be required to make that determination and that qualifying conditions can be scattered or limited in scope. Members also discussed other tools named in the Haskell study, such as zoning overlays and business improvement districts, and asked staff to return with research comparing options.

The committee did not take formal action to form a CRA. Members requested staff follow up with a study of the Haskell-identified town-square area, coordinate conversations with Green Cove Springs staff (which had recently completed a CRA), and prepare options for the committee to present to the Town Council for budget consideration.

Whitson offered to return for additional presentations and technical follow-up. “Available anytime you want me to come back,” he said.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Orange Park Economic & Community Development Committee Jan 2, 2025 ","oneSentenceSummary","At the January meeting of the Town of Orange Park Economic & Community Development Committee, interim town manager William Whitson gave a detailed overview of Community Redevelopment Areas (CRAs) and how tax-increment financing (TIF) can be used to fund long-term redevelopment.","taxTitle","Orange Park, Clay County, Florida","taxId",61690,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6282694,"Committee approves minutes from Nov. 7, 2024; meeting adjourned by motion",0,158000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2593063-02f4445934cd14ddb3d5b8ab20086d44&start=158&end=158","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2593063-02f4445934cd14ddb3d5b8ab20086d44/thumbnail_158000.jpg","/articles/6282694/Orange-Park/Clay-County/Florida/Committee-approves-minutes-from-Nov-7-2024-meeting-adjourned-by-motion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6282694-e148dee0f13a9bba4ad1262c2cc28077/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448634&Signature=ZwAk~keu3UkTvpnUR~EqnRusIiYQsDW8k525uViITaz2rXm5mQa5rDb7EzE4oBzipYkXcI5apFXKoA8a7gycaqiYXzZO~bRFJxVp9wIR7g-g3t5D3aYrhrfbl~MH~YJEdzbvSBw2KHdipYe9j-NAqynRR7ERDEjNPJaaOMGR6HAo3COqvi1H7ZWzohV-LBbpayXX3R9v9ZClWHVQvp890ocPseFhLvR3FbKAXEIYQL0m4Q9WK~aTYO11a05OxlB35FDQ3Qe4N70H4eyRovvaWH~hs9FyfGt8-FTEWry3hYBMFQiOB4kkNwY8Mgq4Faw1CgyqSF0Rj7ptK~P380RB7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the start of the session the committee voted to approve the minutes from the Nov. 7, 2024 meeting. A motion to approve was made and seconded; the chair called for a vote and the minutes were approved.

At the end of the meeting a motion to adjourn was made and seconded; the committee voted to adjourn and the meeting was closed.

No roll-call vote details (individual vote names) were recorded in the transcript for either procedural motion; the transcript records the motions, seconds and the chair's announcement that the motions passed.","Two procedural motions were recorded: approving minutes from Nov. 7, 2024, which passed, and adjourning the meeting, which also passed after a motion and second.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6282699,"ECD committee reviews vision/mission and Haskell town-square recommendations; plans deeper review and council briefing",760,3931000,4691000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2593063-02f4445934cd14ddb3d5b8ab20086d44&start=3931&end=4691","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2593063-02f4445934cd14ddb3d5b8ab20086d44/thumbnail_3931000.jpg","/articles/6282699/Orange-Park/Clay-County/Florida/ECD-committee-reviews-visionmission-and-Haskell-town-square-recommendations-plans-deeper-review-and-council-briefing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6282699-27072934d06383ebddd4f8e02018e087/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448634&Signature=WEkgAfhI5noaZXj2y1Wyl8m5hqzaeC-KiBZmDYszAD3NRD~1cpnByJJQD-jeW0bZ4OxP7vFPQFy9qoocGUm8rSabz2uylmQpd93LWpRl4svgSO0zJjipI0dpemmtseq5NJ-piDcTRruQpMp2qEGlaQigWJ7DkOnZTxJ5N84IsfBgeIaKEOWKAxfyKcZhQq5hwho5BSCmJZGuXdv-LPjuoUYHuIPgoUAH132Zignd64pK-nL8kOqZRhGynXcaveQdivv1vGbOPvv6ErUBqOJulkdqpL8jXdBXayO0R1GRY4K2NHsrb3FwYuHgn5vzuJdgPfOmUxRSZI1ppIc8oDJRjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee reviewed its vision and mission statements and discussed how to proceed with the town‑square recommendations in the Haskell report.

Members said the existing vision and mission statements broadly reflect the committee’s goals but some members asked whether the language should be stronger or more specific if the committee intends to actively pursue a town‑square redevelopment. Several committee members recommended a deeper dive into Haskell’s recommendations — including zoning overlays, business improvement districts (BIDs), public‑private partnerships and CRA options — before seeking formal council direction.

Committee members suggested returning with a targeted set of options and cost estimates so the Town Council can weigh next steps during the budget process. One member recommended presenting a summary to council as early as the second council meeting of the month so the council can provide guidance and, if warranted, include study funding in budget planning before May. The committee agreed to schedule a fuller discussion at a future ECD meeting and asked staff to gather more information about BIDs, zoning overlay mechanisms and potential grant sources.","Committee members revisited the committee vision and mission and discussed next steps for the Haskell town-square concept. Members proposed additional research into zoning overlays, business improvement districts and other implementation tools and agreed to prepare a report and recommendation to the Town Council in time for budget planning.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6282704,"Committee seeks TPO funding to study street closures and improve pedestrian, bicycle circulation",463,3533000,3996000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2593063-02f4445934cd14ddb3d5b8ab20086d44&start=3533&end=3996","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2593063-02f4445934cd14ddb3d5b8ab20086d44/thumbnail_3533000.jpg","/articles/6282704/Orange-Park/Clay-County/Florida/Committee-seeks-TPO-funding-to-study-street-closures-and-improve-pedestrian-bicycle-circulation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6282704-01c569204c4d071210e7f059477d601c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448634&Signature=ZWaIaeSP~MrsAa5QdNw0K9q8REsc4O60T7wCLUe36bVTaI0zRhDpUbNLH3xTBnwvH21RfAHLwif5IxRbaIUMgAqZiHeA2333A2pT-ZYWN8ZmgcWoviGVOayQzb~mRuAPQbz0cHjwT1N9QbvEUWrPi-l3ZueeXaEw-ot~D4x2WG3bD2wfLJL~MjcTuZpj~oGp6YHaWpqWYznkHDhSVfvoc55Y6B~NypB5g31aM1hFyH~xptDPj7im7N1bYhGv7Ac6aerK5~h2y5TWCu7ctQBFsz1WZjXwAVyIoF82q30mERUvLHPJZFMLKQxpGYuM7Uygs7dFvoWJWQE7z9O9YVYjyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Committee members reviewed a staff-submitted request to the Transportation Planning Organization's Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) for a mobility study that would analyze how temporary closures of non-signalized local streets might change circulation and affect pedestrian and bicycle safety and routings.

Staff described the UPWP as an annual TPO program that funds transportation studies across the region and said the mobility-fee/mobility study recently completed for the town (by consultants named in the UPWP materials) had reviewed sidewalks, bike lanes and transit stops. The new submittal would fund a traffic-engineering study to model current trip data, simulate closures or pilot projects, and identify suitable streets and mitigations. Selection for the TPO-funded studies is typically announced in June; if selected, the town would receive consultant work under TPO funding.

Committee members asked about the study's contents, whether the analysis would include motorized traffic impacts in addition to non-motorized modes, and whether the work could be scoped as a pilot temporary closure before permanent changes. Staff said the study would provide technical evaluations and potential options for pilot implementation and that the TPO funds come from state and federal transportation sources administered locally.

No formal commitment to close streets was made; the committee supported pursuing the UPWP submittal and asked staff to follow up if the project is selected for funding.","The committee discussed a proposed Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) submittal to the regional Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) to model temporary street closures and evaluate impacts on pedestrian and bicycle circulation in the town center area; selection decisions expected around June.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6282709,"Committee advances QR-code distribution for town business guide hosted by Clay Today",506,3018000,3524000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2593063-02f4445934cd14ddb3d5b8ab20086d44&start=3018&end=3524","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2593063-02f4445934cd14ddb3d5b8ab20086d44/thumbnail_3018000.jpg","/articles/6282709/Orange-Park/Clay-County/Florida/Committee-advances-QR-code-distribution-for-town-business-guide-hosted-by-Clay-Today","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6282709-b7829a301a9cd7b989c7a2b1e7448300/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448634&Signature=lVftuldd4Fr5k8MY6xl12TShKwXcK-aGi3mOxCnwKJ0qlniDsNrqhloWswiTIjOYYDjBMw71JNh6bitJxNrNJbUDEDtw7maBWETwbT2TwKe65wLxRisFIaiYaqpJR7aYEAqItXx1-WcQlfNLMNlvWGlVftavJxs-5Y9K8vpMKoord6j0LtR6itY9INfsJXb5BfPfQWsb4g1TAGoZNI5y41n~0MUBIvqenwKlrZaDGiO09pwYguF5dVjP1JfGs0qIcQiXKsGHTjIGtoGOdtIipc92rfmYRLOU~P38Bkv33DKzFajNcRDiK9vMVi7LFgGz2Au9vjT0TwO1mKKVFa1tog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the January meeting the Economic & Community Development Committee reviewed a proposal to create a QR code linking to the town's annual business guide hosted on Clay Today. Staff said a live QR code and sample business cards and placards have been produced and are ready for distribution to hotels, restaurants and other local businesses.

Staff explained the town does not host the guide directly; Clay Today provides the listing and a searchable interface. Because the guide is updated annually, staff recommended the committee either update the QR each year or set a persistent QR redirection that is reset when a new guide is posted so printed materials do not become stale. Committee members suggested coordinating with Clay Today to keep the link stable and discussed adding the QR to a town utility mailer to reach residents.

No formal vote was taken. Staff will coordinate with Clay Today on the final link strategy, order placards and business cards for distribution, and explore adding the code to utility mailings and materials for hotels.","Staff reported a QR-code and printed materials to promote Orange Park's annual business guide hosted by Clay Today. Committee members supported distributing business-card QR codes and placards to hotels and local businesses and proposed including the QR in a town utility mailer and annual QR resets tied to guide updates.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Orange Park committee hears overview of CRAs and tax-increment financing

Committee approves minutes from Nov. 7, 2024; meeting adjourned by motion

ECD committee reviews vision/mission and Haskell town-square recommendations; plans deeper review and council briefing

Committee seeks TPO funding to study street closures and improve pedestrian, bicycle circulation

Committee advances QR-code distribution for town business guide hosted by Clay Today