Margate CRA directs staff to draft up to $600,000 renovation grant for Atlantic Center plaza

The Margate CRA heard a request on April 9 from commercial property owner Todd Napole for grant funding to renovate the Atlantic Center shopping plaza at 6826 West Atlantic Boulevard.

Napole told the board the property is in poor condition and estimated the exterior and needed interior tenant improvements would cost roughly $1.2 million. He asked the CRA to consider up to $600,000 in grant assistance to complete exterior rehabilitation, parking, lighting, landscaping and other improvements.

Board members and staff recommended a case‑by‑case approach rather than a blanket reimbursement, and directed staff to prepare a standalone grant agreement that would return to the board for final approval with renderings, a list of improvements and estimated costs. One board member said the CRA’s goal is to “rid slum and blight” and supported the request with the caveat that CRA staff should have input on the scope of exterior improvements.

Vice Chair Rosano questioned whether certain elements (for example, dumpster enclosures or routine landscaping) should be the owner’s responsibility; one board member suggested a reduced figure of $450,000 but the direction from the board was to proceed with an agreement framework supporting up to $600,000, to be brought back for a formal vote.

Staff said the proposed agreement would specify eligible items and require the owner to provide renderings and cost estimates before any funding commitment. The board instructed counsel and staff to draft the grant agreement for future consideration; no final disbursement of funds was made at the April 9 meeting.