Coral Springs CRA sets aside $3.3 million for downtown infrastructure projects in new $5.6 million budget
Coral Springs, Florida – The Coral Springs Community Redevelopment Agency has approved a new $5.6 million budget that places a major share of its spending toward infrastructure projects in the city’s downtown area.
The CRA Board adopted the budget Monday night for the fiscal year running from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30. Of the total plan, about $3.3 million is listed as capital outlay under the broad category of infrastructure.
That amount represents almost 60 cents of every dollar in the CRA budget, making infrastructure by far the largest spending area in the plan. However, the budget does not identify exactly which construction projects will receive the money.
City spokeswoman Sayona Khandwalla said the capital outlay funds are intended for projects that can help create a more active and pedestrian-friendly downtown.
“Capital outlay projects “are for infrastructure projects that support a vibrant, walkable downtown,” city spokeswoman Sayona Khandwalla said.”
Khandwalla pointed to projects such as putting utility lines underground and improving public access for people traveling on foot or by car. The specific locations for future work have not been fully detailed, although projects supporting the proposed City Village development could be included.
The CRA is required to keep its projects within the goals established by its master plan. The 246-page document repeatedly discusses infrastructure, with the term appearing about 40 times.
One area that could benefit from infrastructure spending is the site of the proposed City Village development near Sample Road and University Drive. Amera Corporation is planning to redevelop the former city hall property and part of Village Square plaza.
The first phase of City Village calls for roughly 300 rental apartments, more than 20,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, a parking garage and a linear park. The development would cover about four acres.
Amera has also outlined a much larger second phase covering more than eight acres. That phase would include at least 65,000 square feet of retail space and a main street connecting Coral Hills Drive with University Drive.
The developer told the city in April that it wants to begin construction on the project by late 2026. While the CRA has not specified which infrastructure projects will be funded, city officials said work supporting City Village could be among the possibilities.
Infrastructure is not the only major item in the new spending plan. The CRA has also allocated $500,000 for grants aimed at improving commercial properties.
Another $732,919 is designated for the developer of the Cornerstone apartment and retail complex under a tax increment incentive agreement. The budget also includes $184,679 to cover the lease for the new Coral Springs museum located within Cornerstone.
At the same time, some spending categories that appeared in the current budget disappear entirely in the new plan.
CRA events, which included $100,000 this year for holiday decorations, is reduced to zero. Building improvements also drops to nothing after carrying a $1 million allocation in the current budget.
Overall, the new budget is only slightly larger than the CRA’s amended budget for the current year. The new plan totals about $5.6 million, compared with $5,508,661 in the amended budget, an increase of roughly $58,000, or about 1%.
On the revenue side, more than half of the CRA’s funding comes through a transfer from its trust fund. The transfer totals $2,901,322, representing about 52% of the overall budget.
The city of Coral Springs will contribute $1,105,340, while Broward County will provide another $809,231. The remaining revenue will come from the North Broward Hospital District, the Children’s Services Council of Broward County and approximately $70,000 in interest.
The CRA operates separately from the Coral Springs City Commission, even though the city’s elected leaders make up the CRA Board. The agency has its own budget and establishes its own spending priorities, with city staff assisting with its operations.
The heavy emphasis on infrastructure comes as Coral Springs continues to plan for changes in its downtown area. Proposed redevelopment, particularly City Village, could bring new housing, restaurants, shops, public spaces and transportation connections to an area that has long been centered around city government and Village Square.
For now, the $3.3 million capital outlay allocation provides funding capacity for infrastructure work, but the budget itself does not spell out a final list of projects.
The CRA’s stated focus is on improvements that support a more vibrant and walkable downtown. Utility work, pedestrian access and improvements that make it easier for people to move through the area are among the possibilities mentioned by city officials.
With City Village potentially moving toward construction later this year, infrastructure needs in and around the downtown district could become increasingly important. The new CRA budget leaves room for that work while continuing to support commercial improvements, the Cornerstone development and the city’s new museum.
The budget will guide the agency’s spending priorities from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, with infrastructure clearly taking the largest share of the CRA’s planned expenditures.
