Press Release

Downtown Streetscape Vision Planning Workshop

Friday, January 5, 2024 - 3:03pm
What should your downtown look like? 
 
Join us for a Downtown Streetscape Vision Planning Workshop on Thursday, January 18th from 5 - 7 PM at the Dania Beach City Hall, 100 W Dania Beach Blvd., in the NW Conference Room!
 
*One or more members of the City Commission and/or City Boards may be present.
Read more

Dania Beach Business Academy Introduces “First-time Homebuyer Strategies” Online Courses

Monday, August 1, 2022 - 8:36am

Dania Beach-FL- Every Wednesday from August 10 to August 31, 2022, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm, the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (DBCRA) with assistance from SCORE Broward will host the Dania Beach Business Academy (DBBA) “First-time Homebuyer Strategies” course.
The course outline includes an overview of the entire home buying process and strategies on how to deal with the challenges of the South Florida market. Potential Homebuyers will learn the advantages and disadvantages between owning your home versus leasing your home. Presenters will cover the pre-approval process and available mortgage programs. Participants will also learn about preparing for the buy - credit repair and budgeting tips for down payment fees and closing costs.
“Dania Beach and Broward County recognize home ownership adds to a family’s economic stability and is a way to accrue net worth. The DBCRA wishes to prepare our residents for the opportunities of homeownership. The DBBA “First-time Homebuyer Strategies” course will explore the benefits of homeownership, how to prepare for the opportunity, and deliver a wealth of information to guide residents for success in our prime real estate market” says DBCRA Executive Director, K. Michael Chen.
The Dania Beach Business Academy First-Time Homebuyer Course Outline is as follows:
Webinar schedule
Aug 10:  Home Buying in South Florida:  Richard Barnhart, Broker & Owner, ByTheSea Realty

Aug 17:  Financing Your Home Purchase:  Patricia McKay, Mortgage Advisor, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation

Aug 24:  Credit Repair and Tips on Saving Enough for the Purchase: Beverly Wright, AVP  CrediTools Services – Fairway Mortgage and Eric Yankwitt, Yankwitt Law Firm:   

Aug 31:  Broward County Affordable Housing Programs - Suzanne Weiss, Manager, Broward County Housing Finance Division’s Homeownership and Home Repair Sections and Robin Holley,Assistant Vice President, Affordable Housing Specialist, Mortgage-Synovus

For registration visit tinyurl.com/4rc8w2az
 
###

Read more

COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY: CRA PLAN UPDATE

Friday, March 4, 2022 - 9:08am

The foundational document when creating a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the designation of a Community Redevelopment Area is a “FINDING OF NECESSITY FOR REDEVELOPMENT” (FON). The initial FON for Dania Beach is dated May 8, 2001. The Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency was established by the City of Dania Beach and Broward County in 2002. The Downtown Community Redevelopment Plan was adopted in 2004, confirming the creation of the Community Redevelopment Area encompassing 506 acres.

A second FON was completed in August 2008. Subsequently, Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency adopted the 2009 Community Redevelopment Plan, which, among other things, modified the CRA Boundaries to encompass 1,349 acres.

The last Community Redevelopment Agency Plan was adopted in June 2015. According to K. Michael Chen, Executive Director of the Dania Beach CRA, “It is best practices to keep the CRA Plan current, fresh, and relevant by updating it every four to five years and we are overdue for an update.”

The CRA issued a Request for Proposals (RFP NO. CRA-21-031) on October 22, 2021 to secure consulting services to update the CRA Plan. The RFP closed on November 29 and responses from five significant firms were received. The members of the RFP Review/Selection Committee reached a unanimous consensus to recommend Vanasse, Hangen, Brustlin, Inc. (VHB).

VHB was founded in 1979 and currently employs 1,600 passionate professionals including engineers, scientists, planners, and designers. They have over 30 offices on the U.S. east coast, from South Burlington VT., to Sarasota, FL. Some of the recent community plans include:
Ybor City Vision 2020 Master Plan Update (Tampa FL) - Historic District
St Pete 2050 Vision Plan (St. Petersburgh, FL) - Florida APA Award
Parramore Comprehensive Neighborhood Plan (Orlando, FL) - Florida APA Award

The VHB team has the experience in creating Florida CRA plans, and includes the technical resources needed to deliver the Dania Beach Plan Update by working with the staff, residents, and property owners. VHB will take a Market-Driven planning approach to updating the Dania Beach CRA Plan. Their approach includes significant inter-active engagement with our residents, neighborhoods, businesses, investors, and elected officials – BE SURE TO PARTICIPATE WHEN THE CHARRETTS ARE ANNOUNCED!

At the February 8, 2022 CRA Meeting, the CRA adopted Resolution No. 2022-CRA-002 approving the selection of Vanasse, Hangen, Brustlin, Inc. and directing the CRA to negotiate a contract with VHB to reflect the Scope of Work described in the CRA Plan Update Request For Proposals.  

Read more

DANIA BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY RETURNS WITH RESIDENTIAL BEAUTIFICATION PROGRAM

Friday, November 12, 2021 - 5:30am

Dania Beach, FL- The Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency recently announced the return of it’s At Home Dania Beach Residential Beautification Program. The program was established in 2018 to help single-family homeowners with assistance needed to enhance the street-visible appearance of their property. Under the Beautification program, the Dania Beach CRA aids qualified homeowners with façade painting and limited landscaping. By participating in the program to beautify their homes, these residents help to improve the overall aesthetics of their neighborhood.
To implement the program, the Dania Beach CRA has partnered with Rebuilding Together Broward County, Inc. to revitalize forty (40) properties within the Dania Beach CRA boundaries.
Rebuilding Together is the same project contractor that provided these services in the past. They revitalized ninety (90) properties and enhanced an additional eight (8) properties beyond the terms of the contract.
A major focus and goal of the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) plan is the elimination of slum and blighted conditions through residential revitalization. The CRA’s At Home Dania Beach program is a comprehensive approach to revitalization by transforming the residential housing landscape within the CRA, through its affordable home development, and beautification program.
For interested residents who are located within the CRA boundaries, please contact the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency at cra@daniabeachfl.gov

Read more

The Dania Beach CRA Launches New Initiative to Support Startup Enthusiasts and Upcoming Entrepreneurs

Thursday, July 29, 2021 - 4:25pm

Dania Beach, FL- The Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (DBCRA) is proud to announce the launch of the Dania Beach Business Academy (DBBA) which is offering a series of free educational programs to support and shape the business community. Designed to set businesses up to succeed, the programs will be offered in the form of online courses free of charge to admitted registrants as part of the DBCRA’s investment to strengthen our businesses. The first program entitled Passions to Profits will begin on Thursday, July 8, 2021.  Classes in Passions to Profits will cover, From Hobbyist to Entrepreneur, Start Up Your Business for Success, A Good Business Plan & Savvy Financial Plan is Your Map to Success, and finally, Money to Start and Grow Your Business.

According to K Michael Chen DBCRA Executive Director, “the DBCRA is creating an Innovation Ecosystem with platforms to support entrepreneurs and early-stage ventures. This first program targets business hopefuls and businesses emerging from the impact of COVID currently navigating their way through an economy seeking its way back to normalcy”.

The DBCRA has organized an executive partnership with academic and business organizations dedicated to economic development. The first DBBA Passions to Profits program consists of four (4) classes, held for two (2) hours a week, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm over four (4) consecutive weeks. Those attending all four classes will be designated as DBBA Graduates and will receive a graduation certificate, be acknowledged by the CRA Board/City Commission, and recognized on the DBCRA multimedia platforms.

The DBBA has received support from a number of Academic partners, and business entities and their statements are noted below:

“The Broward Technical Colleges; Atlantic, McFatter & Sheridan are proud of our partnership with the DBBA. We enjoy our collaboration to assist residents and businesses gain and increase their skills for personal and economic success. “- Lynn Goldman, Community Relations Coordinator, Broward Technical Colleges & Technical High Schools (Atlantic, McFatter & Sheridan)

According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), over 543,000 new business are founded every month in the US. 47.5% of the country’s total workforce is employed by small businesses. Only 50% of small businesses survive 5 years.

Dr. J. Chris Ford, Mission-to-Market Manager and Principal Scientist at Florida International University (FIU) says, “FIU is excited to support the cultivation of entrepreneurs in South Florida. FIU’s Mission-to-Market initiative is committed to developing a thriving and inclusive innovation ecosystem in South Florida. We are thrilled with our collaboration with the city of Dania Beach’s Business Academy and its targeted impact on the South Florida business community.”

The DBBA innovative economic ecosystem will have many different platforms available to support businesses in all life cycles – from start-up to growth opportunities, to revitalizing a long-term business. The specific components the Dania Beach CRA is committed to establish includes education, location & events, mentorship, incubation and acceleration, funding, and talent.

"In the current uncertain climate, young people are realizing more than ever that entrepreneurship offers an opportunity for personal empowerment," says NFTE President and CEO, Dr. J.D. LaRock.

To qualify for the Dania Beach Business Academy applicants must be interested in learning the fundamentals of starting a business, developing business survival skills, and turning ideas into profitable enterprises.

“We are proud to help shape Dania Beach’s current and future business owners and leaders by participating in the Passion to Profits Business Academy. The successful completion of the program will help strengthen the economic base of the community, provide jobs and build civic strength.” says Joseph Gray, Sr. Director at National Development Council

The Dania Beach Business Academy is an executive partnership with the Dania Beach CRA, SCORE Broward, Florida International University/US Department of Energy - Mission-To-Market (M2M), the National Development Council (NDC), Atlantic Technical College (ATC), Business Briefings, McFatter Technical College, and the Alliance of Entrepreneur Resource Organizations of Broward County (AERO).

Classes include From Hobbyist to Entrepreneur, Start Up Your Business for Success, A Good Business Plan & Savvy Financial Plan is Your Map to Success, and finally Money to Start and Grow Your Business.

Interested persons will need to complete the online application at

https://score.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9uGtdrrtTG6vjyV_Cb2Tvw

For more information visit www.DaniaBeachCRA.Org or email cra@daniabeachfl.gov

Read more