e fort myers community redevelopment agency

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fort Myers Community Redevelopment AgencY

NEW DIRECTION - NEW ENERGY - NEW LIFE

Agency Summary The City of Fort Myers created the Downtown Redevelopment Agency (DRA) in 1984, at the request of Councilwoman Veronica Shoemaker, to combat the deteriorating conditions within the downtown commercial area. Originally established as an Independent Special District, the City Council appointed itself the governing body of the City’s Community Redevelopment

Agency (CRA), under the auspices of Florida Statute Chapter 163, in 1988, and the DRA then became a division of the CRA. The role of the DRA was expanded in the early 2000s to manage the City’s thirteen other redevelopment districts. As a result, the name was changed to the Fort Myers Redevelopment Agency (FMRA) to better reflect redevelopment efforts throughout the City. The original governing body continues to serve as Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board.

The Agency, along with the City’s Community Development Division, prepares plans for the revitalization of each district and coordinates the implementation of the plan’s recommendations. Tax increment funds generated by each district, combined with other funding sources, are used to upgrade the public infra-structure and to stimulate redevelopment. The Agency’s motto, “New Direction – New Energy – New Life,” aptly describes the desired outcome for the redevelopment program. The plan provides the “New Direction” for the future of the neighborhoods and commercial corridors, the “New Energy” is created by the extensive citizen and business involvement in creating the plan and the “New Life” results from implementing the plan to create viable commercial and residential neighborhoods.

While the CRA also oversees the Southwest Florida Enterprise Center (SWFEC), this annual report just focuses on the tax increment districts.

2009 Fort Myers CRA Annual Report 1

District Boundaries

- Central Ft Myers

Cleveland

Downtown

D Dunbar/Michigan

D East Fort Myers

D Eastwood Village

□MLK

Fort Myers Redevelopment Areas

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Redevelopment Team & Map

ForT MYerS CoMMuniTY redevelopMenT AgenCY Thomas Leonardo, Chairman Randall Henderson, Jr., Mayor Teresa Watkins Brown, Vice Chairman Johnny Streets, Jr. Levon Simms Michael A. Flanders Forrest Banks

CiTY MAnAger William P. Mitchell

ASSiSTAnT CiTY MAnAger Marvin Collins III

ForT MYerS redevelopMenT AgenCY AdviSorY BoArd Dr. Gerald Laboda, Chairman Erma Boyd Raymond Campbell Bruce Grady Frankie Jennings Bernard McGovern Ron Weaver

ForT MYerS REDEVELOPMENT AgenCY STAFF Don Paight Executive Director Leigh Scrabis Deputy Director Michele Hylton Redevelopment Manager Natalie S. Dunham Marketing & Promotions Manager LaTasha Armstead Office Manager Michaelene Beaudin Program Coordinator Bob Graham Community Liaison Volunteer


Message From CRA Chairman Thomas Leonardo & Advisory Board Chairman Dr. Gerald Laboda The mission of the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is to redevelop and revitalize the historic downtown as well as the older commercial corridors and residential neighborhoods of Fort Myers. The City has established 14 redevelopment districts under the auspices of Florida Statute Chapter 163 and has utilized tax increment financing to accomplish this goal. The results, until the recent downturn in the economy and substantial drop in property values, have been spectacular. By the end of the last fiscal year (FY 2008), the 14 redevelopment districts had increased a total of over $980 million in taxable value. In addition, the public sector (City, County, State and Federal govern-ment) invested over $250 million in new (tax-exempt) buildings and $100 million in infrastructure improvements. This investment has created thousands of jobs for the residents of southwest Florida.

Despite the drop in property values and resulting decline in tax increment revenue, the Agency was able to achieve several major goals this year. In the Downtown District, the four-year, 52-block utility replacement and streetscape improvement project achieved substantial completion, the Riverfront Redevelopment Plan was completed, 12 new businesses opened and the City and County entered into an Interlocal agreement to construct a new downtown library.

In the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard District, a developer was selected for the McCollum Hall restoration, and two business recruitment programs were established. Similar business recruitment programs were established for the Cleveland Avenue District and the East Fort Myers District.

The major goals for next year include the adoption and implementation of the Riverfront Plan, Cleveland Avenue Plan and East Fort Myers Plan.

The Agency would like to express its appreciation to the Board of County Commissioners and County staff, State of Florida officials and staff and our State and Federal elected officials for their assistance and support in our endeavors.

Sincerely,

Thomas Leonardo, Chairman Dr. Gerald Laboda, Chairman Community Redevelopment Agency Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board


Cleveland Avenue

THE PLAN The Cleveland Avenue district, divided into four subdistricts, was established in 1998 for the purpose of commercial redevelopment. The boundaries generally include one block on either side of the road from Edison Avenue to the Fort Myers city limits at Page Field.

In December 2007, EDAW, Inc., submitted their final draft of the Cleveland Avenue Redevelopment Plan (The EDAW Plan). The goal of the plan is to improve the appearance of the corridor and to encourage private investment and quality redevelopment. The EDAW Plan provides guidance on how funds from the four existing redevelopment districts along Cleveland Avenue should be spent to improve the corridor. Several projects highlighted in the Plan such as grant programs, bike patrol details, and capital projects are already underway.

AMENDED REDEVELOPMENT PLAN Progress continues on efforts to revitalize Cleveland Avenue. In April 2009, the CRA Board recommended City Council approve the 2009 Cleveland Avenue Redevelopment Plan including the addendum prepared by Prather Associates, Inc. Prior to requesting that City Council formally approve the amended Plan, the City’s Future Land Use Map (FLUM) and Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan) needed revisions so when approved, the Cleveland Plan would not be in

Today

In Progress

Complete

conflict with the Comp Plan.

While the City was modifying the FLUM and the Comp Plan, the CRA Board took this opportunity to approve a contract with Johnson Engineering to update the section of the City’s Land Development Code for the Cleveland

districts. Once this is completed and the Plan is formally approved, the vision the community created for Cleveland can start its journey toward becoming a reality.

LANDSCAPING TREATMENTS FOR CLEVELAND The firm of A. Gail Boorman & Associates


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completed the design for the landscaping treatments and irrigation system, which will be installed in the medians from Boy Scout Road to Colonial Avenue. Funds for this project have been included in the capital improvement budget and the project will be bid in FY 2010.

Bid out in conjunction with the landscaping of the medians will be a pocket park for the retention pond located at the corner of La-Z-Boy’s parking lot. The pocket park is one of the gateway enhancements recommended by EDAW, Inc., in the updated Cleveland Avenue Redevelopment Plan. The park will include enhanced landscaping, a gazebo, picnic tables and trash receptacles.

TAX REBATES The Cleveland districts paid their first tax rebate this year to GRW Associates, the owner of the building occupied by the Orthopedic Specialists of Southwest Florida. Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is an economic development tool used to promote redevelopment in targeted areas. This payment represents the first time that tax increment rebates have been used as an economic development tool in any of the Cleveland districts.

GRANT PROGRAMS At the end of FY 2009, the Cleveland districts had two grant programs available to businesses within the corridor. The Development Assistance Grant program was available to assist both new development and redevelopment projects with pre-development costs such as permitting fees and professional services. The Landscape/Façade Grant program was available for exterior improvements. Each program was set up as a

dollar-for-dollar match.

The Cleveland districts awarded four grants this year: two Development Assistance Grants in the amount of $10,000 each; the other two were a $50,000 Landscape

Before

After

Grant and a $50,000 grant through a pilot Façade Grant program that was in place prior to the CRA creating the Landscape Façade Grant program.

BIKE PATROL UNIT A roving six-man bike patrol unit was created with $127,400 from the Cleveland district along with funds from the Central, Downtown, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Velasco Village districts to provide an enhanced level of service to each of the participating redevelopment districts. All redevelopment districts funding the bike patrol receive the same core level of service the rest of the City receives. The bike patrol provided by the Fort Myers Police Department, together with the CRA, simply provides an added level of security and connection to the community. The unit has the ability to rotate their schedule, including the days and times they patrol each district, in order to keep the element of surprise on their side.

District Financials: Total Revenues $1,394,392, Total Expenditures $506,922; see Appendix A for details.


Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard

THE PLAN The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Boulevard district, divided into four subdistricts, was established in 2000 for the purpose of commercial development. With the exception of the Lincoln Park neighborhood, the district boundaries generally include the commercial properties from Evans Avenue to I-75.

In 2006, the City, working together with the community and its consultant, Dover, Kohl & Partners, created and adopted the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) & Veronica S. Shoemaker Boulevards (VSSB) Revitalization Plan. The plan provides for several focal points along the corridor. For example, a section called Mid-Town Dunbar will introduce a small formal park with sculptures that commemorate the local culture. The revitalization plan calls for the renovation and expansion of both Clemente and Dunbar parks to create a cultural oasis that will include community facilities and neighborhood commercial businesses.

MLK/VSSB COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR The City’s Community Development Department (CDD) initiated the process to make text amendments to the Land Development Code to add design standards for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. and Veronica S. Shoemaker Blvd. The new Overlay District is to supplement and enhance existing regulations and encourage the design of development that will provide safe, convenient, and efficient access for vehicles while also providing safe convenient access and efficient passage for pedestrians from the public right-of-way to the commercial buildings or development. At the same time, the FMRA initiated a marketing program for the district.

MARKETING The initial phase of marketing, Input Identity/Branding Meetings, gathered feedback from the public to help develop branding strategies for the district. During the workshops, participants learned about the concept of branding and its impact on an area, as well as sharing their ideas about the district. Sessions included adults only meetings, questionnaires distributed through community groups, and motivated teenagers from the Quality Life Center. The information-gathering phase continued throughout FY 2009, with tabulations of this data to be available at the end of the year-long community input process.

GRANT PROGRAMS • Ark of

Safety Child Care received Before a Façade and Landscape Grant for $57,750. After


Work included a major façade renovation, landscaping, irrigation well and new fencing.

• Utopia Unisex Salon received a $10,000 Development Assistance Grant and a $10,000 Façade Grant (2008).

BIKE PATROL

Before

In Progress The MLK districts contributed funding to the six-officer roving police bike patrol, who provide an enhanced level of round-the-clock service to the Central, Cleveland, Downtown, MLK, and Velasco Village districts.

MCCOLLUM HALL

Today

Proposed

Proposed

project; Urban Development Solutions, Inc. (UDS), of St. Petersburg, Florida, was selected. udS entered into an 18-month pre-development agreement with the CRA that tasks them with providing the following: • Project Evaluation (3 months) • Initial Conceptual Design

(3 months) • Tenant Marketing &

Recruitment (18 months)

Tangerine Plaza

UDS Team

• “Social Equity” Feasibility Analysis & Sourcing (18 months)

This award-winning team has a proven track record working in underserved communities, as demonstrated in their redevelopment of Tangerine Plaza in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The Agency approved funds for a structural assessment on McCollum Hall in 2009, and a result, engaged GRAEF/Clemmons Architecture to design a new roof and prepare and implement a stabilization plan for the structure.

The CRA appointed a consultant to prepare the application to have McCollum Hall listed on the National Register of Historic Places; this process is still underway.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ENTERPRISE CENTER The CRA provided the Southwest Florida Enterprise Center a $45,000 grant. As a business incubator dedicated to assisting start-up or early stage businesses, they provide businesses with a physical location from which to operate, and technical assistance to owners to help them build a strong and long-lasting business.

The CRA purchased McCollum Hall in 2008 for redevelopment. In 2009, an RFQ was released District Financials: Total Revenues $507,931, Total seeking a developer to head up the restoration Expenditures $446,159; see Appendix B for details.


Central Fort Myers

THE PLAN The Central Fort Myers redevelopment district was created in 1990 to eliminate blight and to assemble land to construct the Red Sox spring training stadium, City of Palms Park. A significant amount of the stadium’s land assembly was completed a short time later. Since the stadium and surrounding grass parking lots, adjacent State of Florida Regional Service Center parking garage, Skatium and Skate (board) Park are publicly owned and not on the tax rolls, this district did not generate tax increment revenue for most of its life.

INCREMENT VALUES The last three years benefitted from escalating property values, resulting in modest gains in increment revenues. In anticipation of the Red Sox baseball

team’s move out of the stadium in 2012, however, funds not used for the enhanced police patrols were placed in a reserve account, to be used for future upgrades to attract a new team.

JOINT-DISTRICT PROMOTION To cross promote the Downtown and the Central Fort Myers districts, the Agency helped fund Downtown trolley service to and from Red Sox Spring Training games for fans, as well as providing the City of Palms Park with Downtown business/ dining locator maps marked with trolley stops. This service was paid with Downtown dollars due to the positive effect for local merchants, but Central district baseball visitors also enjoyed free transportation and guidance to local dining and arts destinations.

BIKE PATROL Along with the Cleveland, Downtown, MLK and Velasco districts, Central Fort Myers jointly funded a six-man bike patrol unit that provides an enhanced level of police service.

SKATIUM & SKATE PARK Both the Skatium and Skate Park continue to attract local families and teens to Central Fort Myers. Although not funded by the Agency, the CRA does promote these venues by including them on maps along

with other area cultural attractions. District Financials: Total Revenues $50,654, Total Expenditures $13,400; see Appendix C for details.

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Dunbar/Michigan HARLEM LAKE HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

In Progress

FMRA staff provided support to the City’s Housing and Real Estate Division in their efforts to implement The Neighborhood

Repair and Maintenance Pilot Program. Homeowners receive financial assistance from the City to complete necessary exterior repairs and maintenance to their homes. The repair and maintenance of the homes benefits and encourages upgrading of the community.

The improvements include but are not limited to: repairing windows & screens, roofs, fences, soffits, stucco, siding, exterior doors, concrete walkways, driveways, steps & handrails, and other minor exterior repairs; painting; pressure washing; installing replace-ment exterior doors, concrete walkways, driveways, steps & handrails, and house numbers; and termite inspection & treatment.

In Progress

In Progress

The program not only assists through funding a maximum of $5,000 per home, but is focused on educating the owners who occupy these homes. Recipients must attend Homeowner’s Education classes to learn about maintenance, repair, budgeting and mortgage foreclosure. If able, they must help repair and maintain their home as part of the program.

District Financials: This district has not generated any tax increment funds (2007 is the base year).

THE PLAN The MLK & VSSB Revitalization Plan recommended establishing a new tax increment (TIF) district called Dunbar/ Michigan to provide a recurring funding source to assist with plan implementation. City Council adopted the new district on May 12, 2007. The plan’s focus is developing mixed-income housing, walkable-pedestrian friendly neighborhoods, and economic development strategies to create above-average wage jobs that improve the quality of life for residents.


Downtown (River District)

THE PLAN The Downtown district, also known as the River District, was established in 1984 as a 540-acre area stretching from the Caloosahatchee River to Victoria Avenue and from West First Street to Billy’s Creek.

In 1986, the Downtown Plan, with a 10-15 year planning horizon, was adopted by City Council. By 2001, many of the projects proposed in the 1986 plan were complete or priorities had changed, requiring an updated vision and plan. In 2001, the city selected the firm of Duany-Plater Zyberk (DPZ) through a Request for Qualifications process. In November 2001, Andres Duany and his team came to Fort Myers for an intense week of planning meetings including over 1,500 members of the public. The Duany Plan was created through this process and adopted in April 2003.

The Duany Plan envisioned a walkable downtown where residents could live, work, shop, dine, socialize, and be entertained. Highlights of the plan included: • Rezoning downtown using five land use

designations: urban core, urban center, urban general, civic, and district.

• The establishment of a Smart Code to simplify development permitting.

• The creation of a Streetscape Plan to unify and upgrade the public rights of way.

• Encouraging pedestrian-friendly development to increase foot traffic in the retail and residential districts.

• Encouraging mixed-use developments such as residential over retail or commercial space.

PLANNING Riverfront Development Master Plan In December 2008, the Agency selected Acquest Realty Advisors and their team, consisting of HOK and Parker Mudgett Smith Architects, Boorn Partnership, Johnson Engineering, and JJR Marine Consultants, to prepare a riverfront master plan. The planning effort focused on the downtown riverfront between the u.S. 41 and Fowler Street bridges, and it included a retail market analysis and hotel feasibility study. The plan was completed in August 2009, and adopted in concept by City Council in September 2009. The plan provides a detailed development proposal for the riverfront that includes: a new convention hotel; expanded convention center; retail, restaurant and commercial spaces; several parking structures; a 1 ½ acre storm water detention basin; a site for the Art of the Olympians gallery; and extensive public recreation and open space along the riverfront. Final adoption of the plan is scheduled for April 2010 following additional public input and public hearings. The Riverfront Development Steering Committee meets every other week to identify funding sources and to oversee the implementation of the plan.

Waterfronts Florida Partnership The Downtown District was named a Waterfronts Florida Partnership Community by the State of Florida in 2009. This designation provides a two-year funding grant of $37,500 per year,

10 2009 Fort Myers CRA Annual Report

and more importantly, statewide networking and technical assistance for development of the waterfront.

DEVELOPMENT Downtown Library The Agency and the City worked closely with the Board of County Commissioners and County staff to craft an interlocal agreement for the construction of a new $20 million downtown library. The City acquired a site on First Street for the library and associated parking, and the County committed the construction and operating funds from its Library Trust Fund. The new facility will be more than twice the size of the current downtown library. Completion is scheduled for late 2011.

Hotel Indigo A new 67-room boutique hotel opened in March 2009 at Main Street and Broadway in the downtown historic district. This infill project occupies a former vacant lot, and its lobby interconnects with the historic Post Office Arcade, which contains two restaurants and two commercial businesses.

The Agency provided a tax increment rebate for the project, as it was the first new hotel to be constructed in downtown in over 25 years.

Lee County Justice Center The County completed construction in May 2009 of a 165,000 sq. ft., $100 million addition to the Justice Center. The new addition brings the total square feet of the Center up to nearly 900,000. An 850-car parking structure adjacent to the Justice Center is underway and is expected to open in the second quarter of 2010.

Utility Replacement & Streetscape Improvement Project The four-year, 52-block utility replacement and streetscape project was nearing completion in fiscal year 2009. The Agency provided $12.5 million in tax increment funds for the enhanced streetscape, which included streets paved with the original bricks, brick-trimmed sidewalks, historic lamp posts, landscaping and street furniture. The $40 million utility replacement was funded from utility bonds.

Harborside Parking Lot The Agency loaned funds to the Harborside Event Center to upgrade their parking lot on Bay Street. The redesigned lot has pay stations instead of meters and all tire stops have been removed, allowing more events to be safely staged in the lot.

Parking Heat sensors were installed outside the elevators in the City of Palms Garage to keep the elevator doors from opening during a fire. The specifications and construction documents for repairs on the Main Street Garage are expected to be completed in 2010. The time schedule for replacement of the revenue and control equipment at both garages has been moved to a 2010 completion date.

MARKETING & PROMOTIONS Special Events The Agency produced or helped to fund numerous events designed to bring people into downtown throughout the year. Collectively, these events (such as Artfest, Art Walk, Bike Nights, Downtown Countdown, Holiday House and Holiday Stroll,


Downtown (River District)

Friday Night Live, and Chillounge) drew hundreds of thousands of visitors.

Florida Repertory Theatre The Agency renewed its lease with Bill Smith for the Arcade Theater, and in turn extended the Agency’s agreement with the Florida Repertory

Theatre (Florida Rep) for operation of the Arcade Theater building. The Florida Rep attracts over 70,000 patrons a year for its shows, and thousands of children each summer for its summer camps. The economic impact of the Florida Rep on downtown businesses is very significant each year.

Storefront Beautification Program To help soften the hardscape of the new streetscape project, the Agency established a Storefront Beautification Program. The program provided up to 75% of the cost of installing and maintaining potted plants in the public right-of-way in front of downtown businesses. Over 35 shops and restaurants have enrolled in the program.

Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) The Agency provided tours and an overview of the downtown


redevelopment program to at least three classes (25+ students per class) per semester from FGCU. In addition, representatives from the Agency frequently serve as guest lecturers to undergraduate and graduate classes at FGCU and other public and private institutions of higher learning in the area.

Currents The Agency published a quarterly newsletter entitled Currents, along with maps and directories of the downtown area throughout the year.

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Business Recruitment Fourteen new businesses moved into downtown storefronts over the past year, including three new restaurants.

ENHANCED SAFETY AND CLEANING SERVICES Bike Patrol The Agency funds 6 police bike patrol officers to help provide a 24-hour enhanced level of safety to five of the redevelopment districts. The Downtown district jointly funds the patrol along with the Central, Cleveland, MLK and Velasco districts.

Right-of-Way Maintenance The Agency funds 4 service workers to clean the downtown streets and sidewalks, empty the trash containers and maintain the landscaping. This enhanced level of service helps to improve the quality of the storm water runoff from the downtown streets into the Caloosahatchee River.

District Financials: Total Revenues $5,891,065, Total Expenditures $5,770,692; see Appendix D for details.

East Fort Myers PLANNING The first draft of a comprehensive East Fort Myers Redevelopment Plan was completed by the firm ofDoverKohl and presented to the City in October 2008. City staff and other agencies provided their comments, and a second draft was

completed in May 2009. City Council requested additional public input, and a series of workshops were held throughout the balance of the year to resolve a number of issues brought forth by property owners within the district. Final adoption of the plan is scheduled for April or May 2010.

MARKETING & PROMOTIONS In July 2009, the CRA approved a banner program for Palm Beach Blvd. and two other commercial corridors. The banners will add color to the corridor and promote public attractions within East Fort Myers and other parts of the City. A graphic designer has been engaged to design the banners and installation is expected to be in the summer of 2010.

GRANTS In August 2009, the CRA approved a Development Assistance Grant Program that provides up to $10,000 on a matching basis for pre-development expenses for new development or rehabilitation of existing structures. The CRA also established a Façade and Landscape Matching Grant Program to assist with exterior building improvements. This program provides up to $50,000 for qualified expenses. District Financials: This district has not generated any tax increment funds (2007 is the base year).

THE PLAN The East Fort Myers District was created in May 2007 to establish a funding source which would subsequently be focused on efforts to redevelop and revitalize the East Fort Myers neighborhoods and the commercial corridor along Palm Beach Boulevard. Its boundaries are the Caloosahatchee River on the north, Billy’s Creek on the south and west, and the Fort Myers city limits on the east.

East Fort Myers (EFM) Revitalization and Redevelopment Plan, a joint effort of East Fort Myers residents and the City of Fort Myers planning staff, was approved for adoption by the CRA on April 11, 2007, and by the Planning Board on April 24, 2007, with the maximum building height changed from 3 to 10 stories. Adopting the plan on May 21, 2007, the City Council recommended hiring a consultant to further study height and density allowances.

The nationally acclaimed planning firm of Dover, Kohl & Partners was hired to work with the residents, business owners and city staff to prepare an in-depth redevelopment plan for the district. The plan has been completed and is undergoing final review by the citizens, Planning Board and City Council. Due to recent new development in the district, nearly $500,000 in tax increment funds will be available to begin implementing the plan recommendations.


Velasco Village

THE PLAN Velasco Village was established in 1987 to redevelop the blighted residential area then known as the “Bottoms”. The general boundaries are south of Second Street, north of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, east of Evans Avenue and west of Velasco Street.

The district now contains 158 single-family homes. The Velasco Village Neighborhood Association was created around 1993, with monthly meetings, beautification promotions, neighborhood special events, and a quarterly newsletter, all sponsored by the Fort Myers CRA.

NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETINGS Velasco Village residents participated in their community through Velasco Village Neighborhood Association meetings, which the CRA supported in FY 2009. The Agency assists the Velasco Village Neighborhood Association to unite individual homeowners with the police officers who protect the area, as well as assisting with special events that promote community cohesiveness.

QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER The quarterly neighborhood newsletter, Velasco Village News, was produced by the CRA and sent to district residents as the main form of communication between the Agency and residents. The newsletter features district events, area code enforcement and police updates, reports on local beautification and tips on owning and caring for a home.

SUMMER BEAUTIFICATION PROGRAM Popular with district homeowners and local organizations is Velasco Village’s Summer

Beautification Contest, sponsored by the CRA. With the primary goal of enticing neighbors and organizations like local churches to improve their property so that standards

throughout the residential district are raised, competitors spruce up their buildings and landscape for a chance to win certificates and cash prizes of $100 for 1st place and $50 each for 2nd and 3rd places.


SPECIAL EVENTS Several special events were supported by the Agency in Velasco Village to unify the community. These include the Annual Holiday Decorating & Lighting Contest, an Easter Egg Hunt, and a host site for National Night Out.

• Annual Holiday Decorating & Lighting Contest In December2008, residents were recognized for their pride in home and community through the district’s Annual Holiday Decorating & Lighting Contest. The district is festooned with lighted displays as neighbors compete for recognition certificates and the same cash prize levels as in Velasco Village’s Summer Beautification Program.

• Easter Egg Hunt An Easter Egg Hunt was held in conjunction with the annual Fort Myers Easter Parade on April 12, 2009, at McCutcheon Park. The afternoon featured family activities

in addition to the traditional search for eggs.

• National Night Out The Velasco Village Neighborhood Association hosted a National Night Out (NNO) gathering at McCutcheon Park in the evening of August 4, 2009, where Velasco residents enjoyed free family fun and childrens’ activities, food, and were invited to register their children with the National Child ID Program through the help of the Rabe O. Wilkinson American Legion Post 38 from Fort Myers, Florida. The purpose of the event is to raise crime and drug prevention awareness, to generate local anti-crime support and participation, to strengthen neighbor relations with each other and local law enforcement, and to send a message to criminals that Velasco Village is organized and fighting back against crime.

BIKE PATROL The Velasco Village district contributed funding to the six-man roving police patrol unit, providing an enhanced level of service round-the-clock to the Cleveland, Central, Downtown, MLK and Velasco Village districts.

District Financials: Total Revenues $43,995, Total Expenditures $36,017; see Appendix E for details.


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Appendix A Cleveland Avenue District Financials

Fund No.

INCOME Description Interest Income Special Event Revenue Tax Increment City Tax Increment Lee County Donations from Private Sources Installment Purchase Total Revenues

eXpendiTureS Personnel Services Salary/Wage Seniority Pay FICA Tax Retirement Health/Life Insurance Workers’ Comp unemployment Comp Sub-Total for Personnel Services

Operating Professional Services Accounting/Auditing Contractual Services Vehicle Allowance Travel/Transportation Freight/Postage utilities Rental/Leases MIS Service Charge MIS Capital Recovery Insurance Repairs/Maintenance Printing Advertising Public Relations Special Events Tax Increment Rebate

141

Amount 58,469

-884,941

450,982 --

1,394,392

Amount 62,568

158 4224

-11,900

--

78,850

Amount 36,459

500 70,000

181 718 596

------

106 261 179

-100,478

General Admin Expense 12,200 office Supplies Software<$750 -Operating Supplies -Dues/Subscriptions 1567 Tuition/Reimbursement -Buildings -Principal Expense -Interest Expense -Sub-Total for Operating 224,215

Other Financing Sources Amount Transfer to General Fund 127,400 Transfer to CIB 26,457 Advance to FMRA 50,000 Sub-Total for Other Financing Sources 203,857

ToTAl eXpendiTureS 506,922

revenue over eXpendiTureS 887,470

prior YeAr reServeS 3,338,126

*eSTiMATed Fund BAlAnCe 4,225,596

*Fund BAlAnCe CoMponenTS

Description Amount

Undesignated 79,196

Designated: Capital Projects - Corridor 2,825,000

Improvements (Landscaping, Medians)

Sinking Fund for Edison Mall 150,000 Transit Station (Total guarantee will be $500,000)

Grant Programs 300,000 Code Revisions 60,000

LandAcquisition forCorridor Improvements 250,000 Transfer to General Fund 284,600 Advance to Other Districts 250,000 Tax Rebate 26,800

4,225,596


Appendix B Dr. MLK, Jr. Boulevard District Financials

Fund No.


eXpendiTureS Personnel Services Salary/Wage Seniority Pay FICA Tax Retirement Health/Life Insurance Workers’ Comp unemployment Comp Sub-Total for Personnel Services

Operating Professional Services Accounting/Auditing Contractual Services Vehicle Allowance Travel/Transportation Freight/Postage utilities Rental/Leases MIS Service Charge MIS Capital Recovery Insurance Repairs/Maintenance Printing Advertising Public Relations Special Events Taxed/Assessments General Admin Expense office Supplies Software<$750

151

Amount 12,772

-328,003 167,156

--

507,931

Amount 49,365

578 3,748

-5,503

--

59,194

Amount 46,634

100 30,900

181 568

1,380 -----

7,712 1,830 5,966

155 400 321

2,300 360

-

Operating Supplies 171 Dues/Subscriptions 42 Land 129,602 Buildings -Principal Expense 81,727 Interest Expense 6,116 Sub-Total for Operating 316,465

Other Financing Sources Amount Transfer to General Fund 58,100 Transfer to Imaginarium Operations 12,400 Transfer to Debt Service -Sub-Total for Other Financing Sources 70,500



prior YeAr reServeS 751,342

*eSTiMATed Fund BAlAnCe 813,114 (Estimated Fund Balance does not include Real Estate Held for Resale Value of $512,102 as of September 30, 2009)


Description Amount

Undesignated 128,114

Designated: urban development Solutions Contract 275,000 Grant Programs 150,000 Principal & Interest Payments 58,600

McCollum Hall Purchase Transfer to the General Fund 61,400

(Bike Patrol) Transfer to SWFL Enterprise Center 45,000 Land Acquisition 70,000 Advance to Dunbar/Michigan TIF 25,000

813,114


Appendix C Central Fort Myers District Financials

Fund No.


eXpendiTureS Personnel Services Salary/Wage Salary/Wage Overtime FICA Tax Retirement Health/Life Insurance Workers’ Comp unemployment Comp Sub-Total for Personnel Services

Operating Professional Services Accounting/Auditing Contractual Services Vehicle Allowance Travel/Transportation Communications/Freight utilities Rental/Leases MIS Service Charge MIS Capital Recovery Insurance Repairs/Maintenance Printing Advertising Public Relations Special Events Tax Increment Rebate

133

Amount 2,256

-32,060 16,338

--

50,654

Amount --------

Amount -----------------

General Admin Expense -office Supplies -Software<$750 -Operating Supplies -Dues/Subscriptions -Tuition/Reimbursement -Buildings -Principal Expense -Interest Expense -Sub-Total for Operating -

Other Financing Sources Amount Transfer to General Fund 13,400 Transfer to CIB -Transfer to Debt Service -Sub-Total for Operating 13,400




*eSTiMATed Fund BAlAnCe 166,511


Description Amount

Designated Land Assembly for Economic

Development 166,511


Appendix D Downtown River District Financials

Fund No.

INCOME Description Interest Income Special Event Revenue Tax Increment City Tax Increment Lee County Advance from Cleveland Increase in Fair Value of Investments Reimbursable Expenses Miscellaneous Total Revenues

eXpendiTureS Personnel Services Salary/Wage Salary/Wage Overtime Seniority Pay FICA Tax Retirement Health/Life Insurance Workers’ Comp unemployment Comp Sub-Total for Personnel Services

Operating Professional Services Accounting/Auditing Contractual Services Vehicle Allowance Travel/Transportation Communications Freight/Postage utilities Rental/Leases MIS Service Charge MIS Capital Recovery Insurance Repairs/Maintenance Printing Advertising Public Relations Special Events Tax Increment Rebate

130 & 131

Amount 25,551 52,736

3,781,434 1,927,089

50,000 3,066

172 51,017

5,891,065

Amount 349,413

8,876 4,259

26,607 73,000 58,610

1,000 10,028

531,795

Amount 731,448

900 196,737

3,249 4,567

382 1,141

58,497 148,721 92,800 7,800

29,800 141,546

9,894 69,330 41,668

220,725 1,646,638

General Admin Expense 118,900 office Supplies 4,503 Software<$750 -Operating Supplies 567 Dues/Subscriptions 2,044 Tuition/Reimbursement 10,781 Buildings -Sub-Total for Operating 3,542,640

Other Financing Sources Amount Transfer to General Fund 368,400 Transfer to CIB -Debt Service 1,327,857 Sub-Total for Other Financing Sources 1,696,257

ToTAl eXpendiTureS 5,770,692


prior YeAr reServeS 1,216,993

*eSTiMATed Fund BAlAnCe 1,337,366


Description Amount

Undesignated 14,223

Designated: Additional Funds needed for

Riverfront Implementation Plan

Capital Project Funding Debt Service Reserves

300,000

235,000 788,143

1,337,366


233

Appendix E Velasco Village District Financials

Fund No.


eXpendiTureS Personnel Services Salary/Wage Salary/Wage Overtime FICA Tax Retirement Health/Life Insurance Workers’ Comp unemployment Comp Sub-Total for Personnel Services

Operating Professional Services Accounting/Auditing Contractual Services Vehicle Allowance Travel/Transportation Freight/Postage utilities Rental/Leases MIS Service Charge MIS Capital Recovery Insurance Repairs/Maintenance Printing Advertising Public Relations Special Events Tax Increment Rebate

132

Amount 1,016

-28,404 14,475

100 -

43,995

Amount 6,066

-446

-645

--

7,157

Amount -----

377 -----

1,325 --

1,611 714

-

General Admin Expense -office Supplies Software<$750 -Operating Supplies -Dues/Subscriptions -Tuition/Reimbursement -Buildings -Principal Expense -Interest Expense -Sub-Total for Operating 4,260

Other Financing Sources Amount Transfer to General Fund 24,600 Transfer to CIB -Transfer to Debt Service -Sub-Total for Operating 24,600




*eSTiMATed Fund BAlAnCe 64,815


Description Amount

Undesignated 24,815

Designated: Velasco Village Park Project 40,000

64,815


e fort myers community redevelopment agency

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