The Downtown Redevelopment District is bounded by 13th Avenue South, 3rd Street (S.R. A1A), 9th Avenue North, and the Atlantic Ocean (view map).

The City’s two community redevelopment (CRA) districts – Downtown and South Beach – fall under the general oversight of the five-member CRA Board. The Board also serves as the Trustees of the Tax Increment Funds, which provide the sole source of money to carry out the adopted community redevelopment plans.

Originally established in 1979, the CRA has focusaed its efforts on planning and funding improvements to the physical infrastructure in the districts to support development and redevelopment activities carried out by private enterprise. In the mid-1980’s, the Mayor and City Council jumpstarted the Downtown redevelopment effort by appointed a new CRA board, and authorizing the preparation of detailed plan for the District. It was during this same period that the Downtown Tax Increment District was approved to provide a dedicated source of revenue to carry out the plan.

Historical Perspective

The Downtown CRA is now in the final years of its initial statutory lifespan. Since its beginnings in the 1980’s, there has been a dramatic transformation in the physical appearance of the district. View 1987 Downtown Plan / Maps / Amendments.

In 1996, the CRA, in cooperation with several City departments, completed a major infrastructure improvement project that involved the upgrading and replacement of public water, sewer, storm drainage, and electrical systems and streetscape and paving improvements.

This was followed by what is perhaps the most significant change in the core of the district – the redevelopment of 12-acres of city-owned land lying in the area bounded by Beach Boulevard, 3rd Street, 1st Avenue North, and the Boardwalk. The site now includes:

• A new City Hall • Latham Plaza • SeaWalk Pavilion • A 200-car parking facility • Two restaurants • A drugstore • A 72-suite hotel