[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-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],{"_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",6502906,"mediaKeyId","5690126-dfff485fb1d31fc6a4ffbcd1883cdb4a","parentId",5690126,"title","CRA staff outlines skate park groundbreaking, sidewalk gap study and Eighth Avenue design timeline","audioSeconds",678,"startMs",3367000,"endMs",4045000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5690126-dfff485fb1d31fc6a4ffbcd1883cdb4a&start=3367&end=4045","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5690126-dfff485fb1d31fc6a4ffbcd1883cdb4a/thumbnail_3367000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6502906/Ocala/Marion-County/Florida/CRA-staff-outlines-skate-park-groundbreaking-sidewalk-gap-study-and-Eighth-Avenue-design-timeline","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502906-526258534e64ef9d41affbcf1ef219d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770403734&Signature=m1rge5xS7WNQ3YtPsmv8b0rRBct4rBiBbMFlE6VNqeCjgAxdorbCUVdItQaDZ~HlxqLKXLqo3itRgU0MDZT7B0zGmYegFrO73hRykYAdL5S1IlLRR4wjHL~taxcGORekyk8CV8lMrnC55k6Y5h-trtESImbLcYsV6oFZAqRmjl0O7qrj0xloMjvEF19zYu0hzeEIxyTF7bIM072IRRPzi1MNsl1JgpiXdsxa6vo~STxYUpg8Ps5ON49KP1481o5Y~XFS4~G-nlLssdRkcl1bd~leWca2grSZiKGdcq4kAcFkk6w9TlhrV85q5hOkBH6E-~85fOOeHfMDp-NM5eeC1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ocala","date","2025-08-27T00:00:00Z","article","Eric Smith, senior transportation project administrator, told the Ocala Community Redevelopment Agency that the skate park groundbreaking is scheduled for the next day and that the project is expected to be completed in 2026, with scheduling and minor delays still being resolved.

Smith also said staff reinitiated a sidewalk gap identification project in the East CRA. The initial mapping highlights sidewalk gaps identified in a 2016 findings-of-necessity inventory; staff said they are overlaying as‑built data, active CIP projects and property rights‑of‑way to determine which gaps are feasible to address. The team expects to complete the initial identification phase within two to three weeks and will coordinate with engineering for prioritization and design once the list is finalized.

On Eighth Avenue, Smith said funding is programmed for 2027 and plans have been completed. The design includes roundabouts, two travel lanes in each direction and a planned connection to Sixth Street that will create a new street alignment to Sanchez; one roundabout will create a new link intended to improve access south of the baseball field and support larger truck turning radii for event traffic. Smith described the Eighth Avenue work as part of a corridor activation strategy tied to other CRA investments.

Staff also reported a decision that a previously proposed mid‑block crosswalk near a Midtown brewery is no longer warranted after roadway changes and parking reconfigurations. In addition, staff noted FDOT will resurface what the materials referenced as Silver Strings Boulevard and that FDOT design changes may limit aesthetic intersection improvements; staff has penciled potential intersection upgrades into CRA budget discussions but said FDOT approval is not assured.

During discussion, board members raised concerns about sidewalk right‑of‑way constraints in older neighborhoods, pedestrian safety for children walking to nearby elementary and middle schools, and whether traffic calming (including speed humps) and signage could be used where sidewalks are not feasible. Staff said the sidewalk program will identify feasible projects and that traffic calming studies and warrants would be handled by transportation engineering if particular locations demonstrate the thresholds required for measures such as speed humps.

Staff also reviewed budget highlights: the CRA public materials accompanying the meeting said the FY 2025–26 public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 3 and that the CRA proposes an additional $400,000 for next year’s grant program and set‑aside funds for sidewalk improvements and potential land acquisition opportunities to support corridor activation.

Ending: Staff expects to return with a refined sidewalk‑gap list after the two‑ to three‑week identification phase and will coordinate recommended projects with the city’s CIP and engineering departments for design and implementation schedules.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ocala - East Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee","oneSentenceSummary","City transportation staff gave updates on a skate park groundbreaking, a sidewalk‑gap identification effort in the East CRA and a funded Eighth Avenue redesign with roundabouts programmed for 2027.","taxTitle","Ocala, Marion County, Florida","taxId",4898,"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},6502910,"Ocala CRA approves multiple residential and commercial grants, denies hotel repaint request",0,3570000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5690126-dfff485fb1d31fc6a4ffbcd1883cdb4a&start=3570&end=3570","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5690126-dfff485fb1d31fc6a4ffbcd1883cdb4a/thumbnail_3570000.jpg","/articles/6502910/Ocala/Marion-County/Florida/Ocala-CRA-approves-multiple-residential-and-commercial-grants-denies-hotel-repaint-request","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502910-fa7299dabee92ec6d24dcb69a36ea905/orig.mp4?Expires=1770403734&Signature=GQd7TDhCcIxJZU00Mz3t8wsWtnBk9OJE-5~XM4E5XDY~W9EuDyepqqCearm6xgouvaj39so4~twJd2y2mSaSYaTSMHSxU6rb~QG1w3ZyF5-GFDhJ3bmXuwJEuQG-IWcLv8mqpPU05yU36Z-fv4QJXCLf1jM3bNWF3phNiheQgNjl3cNqHAC592HelTZE75t8aIe2Eeu-jsl0lkP8qap2y40JVAnCh4WhY1cMfVehdBhY2OXD~jS-gSzszaxe2NP4gMzIkpffC4E1qGCbXGdsXGb0rY1W4BlauQPD2IaTRwNJVStmA8iXMa1V8xlkdGDFo4xJ83EVymbokLEyg2c6ig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ocala Community Redevelopment Agency on an August meeting approved multiple property improvement grants for East Ocala homeowners and commercial property owners while recommending denial of a repaint/restriping grant for a recently built hotel seeking franchise upgrades.

Roberto Ellis, economic development manager, reviewed nine grant applications and recommended approval for eight of them, saying the projects improve energy efficiency, weatherization and curb appeal in the East Ocala CRA. Charnita Whitehead, economic development project coordinator, presented one residential application from TC Opportunity 4 LLC and recommended approval.

The agency approved grants for the following residential projects after staff presentations and site visits: Barrington Kirkham, 206 Northeast 12th Avenue, qualified for a $8,516 award based on staff’s calculation; Tracy and Randy Alderson received recommended support for a grant calculated at $8,175 to replace window units with a new HVAC system; Jody Talmadge qualified for the program maximum award of $20,000 to repair exterior walls, repaint, install a fence and improve landscaping; Patrick and Nathaniel Hadley were approved for reroofing grants for two adjacent properties (staff cited lowest quotes of $13,735 and $14,526 with a 50% match resulting in awarded amounts consistent with a 50% program match); and the application filed as CRA25-0036 for TC Opportunity 4 LLC / Robert Greene was approved for window replacement, insulation and fencing with an eligible award of $15,200 under the 75% residential match rules.

On commercial grants, the CRA approved a rehabilitation grant for a long‑vacant commercial building along State Road 40 (application CRA25-0012). Staff reported the low quotes for eligible work — including parking improvements, striping and bollards — totaled about $121,000.62; the project was eligible for the program cap of $50,000 under the 60% commercial match and the board approved the staff recommendation.

The board considered a repainting and parking lot restriping request from a four‑year‑old 40‑room hotel that is pursuing Wyndham franchise changes. Roberto Ellis and other staff noted the building is only about four years old and some board members expressed concern that repainting so soon could set an unfavorable precedent for the CRA’s limited funds. A motion to deny the hotel’s application carried on a voice vote.

The CRA also approved the first mural grant under a newly added mural component to the commercial grant program (application CRA25-0035). Staff reported a total project cost of $22,650, with a $13,590 match eligible from the CRA; the mural artist Justin Alsadeck is on the municipal art roster and the Ocala Municipal Arts Commission reviewed the proposal. Several board members discussed durability, warranty and potential perception that the mural might function as advertising for one tenant occupying part of the building; the board approved the staff recommendation.

Motions were taken by voice vote; most grant approvals were moved and seconded during the meeting and recorded in minutes as “motion passes” or “that motion passes.” Where applicants had active code cases, staff confirmed the cases were closed before recommending awards (for example, the Hadley property code case was resolved). Rachel Perez declared a conflict of interest and recused herself on at least two items where she said she works for the applicant’s family.

The decisions will be forwarded with the CRA board’s recommendations and, in the case of the denied hotel repaint/restriping application, staff noted the applicant may reapply or pursue the matter before the CRA board despite the advisory recommendation.

Votes at a glance: CRA applications decided in the meeting
• Barrington Kirkham (206 NE 12th Ave) — grant recommended by staff; motion to approve carried; award: $8,516 (staff-calculated, 75% match referenced in materials).
• Tracy and Randy Alderson — grant recommended; motion to approve carried; award: $8,175 (75% match referenced in materials).
• Jody Talmadge — grant recommended; motion to approve carried; award: $20,000 (maximum residential grant).
• Patrick and Nathaniel Hadley — two adjacent reroof projects recommended and approved; low quotes cited at $13,735 and $14,526 with a 50% match applied (staff said a prior form error displayed 75% but the award reflects a 50% match).
• CRA25-0036 (TC Opportunity 4 LLC / Robert Greene) — windows, insulation, fence; staff recommended approval; motion carried; eligible award: $15,200 (75% match as presented).
• CRA25-0012 (vacant building on State Road 40 corridor) — commercial rehabilitation; staff recommended approval; motion carried; eligible award: $50,000 (60% match cap).
• Hotel repaint/parking restriping (Wyndham franchise) — staff recommended support but multiple board members opposed awarding CRA funds for repainting a four‑year‑old building; motion to deny carried (board recommended denial to CRA board).
• CRA25-0035 (mural on North Eighth Avenue) — staff recommended approval; motion carried; total cost $22,650 with CRA match $13,590; OMAC reviewed and recommended.

Staff confirmed program rules during presentations: residential residential property improvement grants generally used a 75% match formula for some projects, but the board applied a 50% match for certain reroof projects consistent with a recent CRE board change; commercial grants use a 60% match and have a $50,000 cap. Staff also indicated that projects with active code enforcement cases are not processed until the code cases are closed.

Ending: The CRA’s approvals will be forwarded to the CRA board for final processing where required; several applicants are expected to proceed to contractor scheduling and building permits. The hotel applicant can reapply or pursue the matter with the CRA board despite the advisory recommendation to deny.","The Ocala Community Redevelopment Agency approved several residential and commercial property improvement grants and recommended denial of a repaint/restriping request for a four‑year‑old hotel. Votes were taken by voice and recorded as motions without roll call tallies.","actionData","errors"]

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CRA staff outlines skate park groundbreaking, sidewalk gap study and Eighth Avenue design timeline

Ocala CRA approves multiple residential and commercial grants, denies hotel repaint request