Hollywod Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Update

The Hollywood Beach Community Redevelopment Agency oversees and provides funding for numerous public improvements and services that otherwise might not be possible.

City of Hollywood officials and staff stressed the importance of the Beach CRA’s participation in the funding process at the September 11th public hearing on the City’s budget. The CRA’s active involvement in area improvement projects and services benefits not only beach residents and business owners but all Hollywood taxpayers.

The CRA "funds all the improvements that we could not afford to do," stressed Mayor Mara Giulianti.

"We are as a CRA able to pay for those enhanced services that foster redevelopment. And that’s what the CRA’s all about," said Bryan Cahen, Director of Financial Services for the CRA’s Beach and Downtown districts. "We are team players who work very well with the City Manager, Commission and CRA Board."

The Beach CRA plans to spend $100 million over the next several years on a number of capital improvements, including the Broadwalk complete makeover, Charnow Park renovation, Garfield Street Parking and Community Center project, underground conversion of utility lines, and replacement of water and sewer lines.

Other Beach CRA-funded expenses include the $1.4 million North Surf Road lighting project, $1 million lifeguard tower rehabilitation and a $1 million reimbursement to the Hollywood Department of Design and Construction Management for managing various beach projects.

In addition, the Beach CRA is taking over Hollywood’s tourism program, generating a savings to the City of more than $105,000 in operating expenses and personnel costs.

The Beach CRA also provides funding for numerous City-sponsored beach events, the Beach Ambassador program, and beach maintenance and code enforcement programs. Nearly $2 million a year is contributed to the City’s general fund for enhanced police services and other services, Cahen said.

"That totals about $6 million-plus in expenses," he said. "That’s roughly 40 percent of our entire Beach CRA budget. That’s a lot."

Cahen added, "We’re moving redevelopment forward. There is going to be significant redevelopment going on which is going to enhance the lives of everybody."

For more information, call (954) 924-2980 or visit www.hollywoodbeachcra.org.