About
Mission
The mission of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is to improve the commercial and residential viability and livability of the commercial district an neighborhoods within the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) area. This is accomplished by implementing projects and activities which empower business owners and residents to enhance and improve the CRA by encouraging and implementing activities that promote sustainable economic growth.
Description
The Winter Garden Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is a public agency that was created by the City Commission in June of 1992 in accordance with the provisions of the Florida Statutes. The CRA is charged with undertaking redevelopment functions in the specified community redevelopment district. The CRA boundary encompasses the Downtown Historic District, East Winter Garden and the East Plant Street corridor terminating at the SR 429. Please click on the map link to see detailed boundary.
CRA Funding
The Winter Garden CRA is funded through Tax Increment Financing (TIF). Tax increment funds are derived from ad valorem property taxes. The CRA is not a taxing authority nor does it set millage rates or assess property. Tax increment funds come through existing taxing entities including the City of Winter Garden and Orange County. The method of determining the amount of funding the CRA receives each fiscal year (October 1 – September 30) is described below.
When the CRA was created in 1992 the assessed value of the area was set as the base year tax base. Thereafter, the taxes from additional increases in property values are dedicated to the redevelopment agency. In each subsequent year, the Orange County Property Appraiser determines the taxable value of the area. The difference between the taxable value of the base year and the current year is calculated. This is referred to as the "increment". The increment is multiplied by the millage rate of each contributing taxing entity. Specifically, the City of Winter Garden and Orange County. The taxing entity remits 95 percent of increment to the CRA Trust Fund.
Tax rates are established each September. The current millage rate is $4.50.
CRA Programs
The City of Winter Garden offers the following Community Redevelopment Agency programs:
Brownfields Program
The Florida Brownfields Program (FBP) is used as a mechanism to voluntarily clean and redevelop brownfields sites and areas which by definition are abandoned, idled, or underused industrial and commercial properties where expansion, reuse, or redevelopment may be complicated by real or perceived environmental issues. (376.79(3), FS)
The City of Winter Garden adopted the Brownfields Program in 2008. The CRA Advisory Board also serves as the Brownfields Advisory Board.
Winter Garden Historic District
There is a historic district within the CRA area. There are architectural design standards that are applicable to all properties within the district.
Helpful Links
- Florida Statutes – Community Redevelopment
- Florida Redevelopment Association
- Downtown Winter Garden
- Winter Garden Farmers Market
- Winter Garden Farmers Market Facebook Page
- Winter Garden Available Properties and Demographics
- Florida Brownfields Association
Results
Since the CRA’s inception, the tax revenues have steadily increased. The chart below shows the historical tax growth of the CRA.
The following establishing documents were adopted to create the Community Redevelopment Agency.
- Findings of Necessity (PDF)
- CRA Plan (PDF)
- Original CRA and Reserve Area Resolution (PDF)
- Approving the Community Redevelopment Plan (PDF)
- Delegation of Authority
- Establishing Redevelopment Trust Fund (PDF)
- CRA Map (PDF)
- CRA Agendas and Minutes
The Winter Garden CRA was extended in 2022 for an additional 10 years. The establishing documents extended the CRA can be found below:
CRA Extension Documents
The Winter Garden CRA was extended in September 2021 for 10 years. Below are the extension documents: