Community

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.  

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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

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Estate Companies scores $56M construction loan for Dania Beach mixed-use project

Tuesday, March 16, 2021 - 3:12pm

Motwani bought the land in 2017 

The Estate Companies secured financing for a new mixed-use project in Dania Beach.

The apartment developer closed on a $55.5 million construction loan from Synovus for a new eight-story, Class-A mixed-use development, called Soleste Cityline, at 4 North Federal Highway. The development will consist of 340 luxury rental units and retail space, according to a press release.

Dev Motwani, president and CEO of real estate investment and development firm, Merrimac Ventures, bought the property in 2017 for $5 million and is a partner in the project. 

“I felt that Dania [Beach] was going to be a popular place,” Motwani said.

In September, Motwani and Merrimac Ventures brought on the Estate Companies as a development partner for the multifamily portion of the project, and later partnered with Miami-based Tricera Capital for the retail portion.

The apartments will include studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom units, ranging from 600 square feet to 1,200 square feet.

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Soleste Cityline will also feature amenities, including a pool deck, fitness center, outdoor grilling stations and a clubroom.

The retail space will span 12,800 square feet. There are no specific retail tenants at the moment, according to Motwani, but he expects neighborhood and service-oriented retail, as well as food and beverage.

The developers plan to break ground this quarter.

Last year Motwani bought a Fort Lauderdale development site for $14 million, and may build residential, retail or possibly a hotel on the site. 

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Dania Beach Soars as Gateway to Broward County Business Opportunities

Friday, October 18, 2019 - 12:00pm

Spirit Airlines is Landing Their New Headquarters in Dania Pointe

Dania Beach, FL (October 18, 2019):  From air to sea and in between, the City of Dania Beach is the gateway to South Florida. As Broward County’s first city to incorporate in 1904, one could say that the city was always in a good place.

On Thursday, October 17, 2019, Spirit Airlines announced that they will be moving their global headquarters, operations center and simulation center to the KIMCO-owned Dania Pointe site, the premier 102-acre, mixed-use development, located within the City of Dania Beach Community Redevelopment area. Spirit Airlines expects to move to a new 500,000 square feet, state-of-the-art Dania Beach headquarters in 2022.

Dania Beach is now, more than ever, positioned as the hub of maritime and aeronautical industries. Dania Beach Mayor Lori Lewellen said, “The City of Dania Beach is glad to welcome Spirit’s new corporate headquarters campus to our city. We are thrilled that the company has chosen to grow here, adding 225 high-value jobs. Spirit will become an important cornerstone in our city. We are excited for their growth as we move forward together into the new decade.”

The Spirit Airlines relocation is expected to have a total economic benefit of $14.87 million for Dania Beach and Broward County, according to Broward County’s Office of Economic and Small Business Development. Spirit Airlines’ capital investment is estimated at between $173million and $250 million over three years for a new headquarters and operations facility and 225 high-wage jobs that are at 150% of the Broward County average annual wage.

The Dania Beach City Commission supports the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board’s 10% local support incentive of $135,000 for the Spirit Airlinesrelocation through the State of Florida’s Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund Program and as a High-Impact Sector Business under the High-Impact Sector Tax Refund Bonus Program with a Brownfield Redevelopment Bonus Refund in addition to $225,000 through a Direct Cash Job Creation Incentive grant. The financial support by the Dania Beach CRA will be provided over a nine-year period beginning with Fiscal Year 2023, which begins October 1, 2022. The Brownfield site has been underused due to environmental concerns. Broward County is also contributing $135,000 in local financial support and matching the CRA’s $225,000 through the Direct Cash Job Creation Incentive program.

Dania Pointe is slated to include almost one million square feet of retail and restaurants in addition to Class A offices, hotels, luxury apartments and public event space. It is conveniently located in between Interstate 95 to the west and Bryan Road to the east and Stirling Road to the south.

Dania Beach's strategic location provides an ideal framework for businesses to relocate to the waterfront city.  Dania Beach is located adjacent to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, which is partially located within the city’s limits, and Port Everglades. The city is rapidly becoming the prime location for new businesses and business relocations. This past August, JetBlue announced the opening of their JetBlue Travel Products subsidiary in Dania Beach. Dania Beach is also home to Chewy, Inc., Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, Florida Atlantic University's Sea Tech, the American Maritime Officers training and research center,along with first-class marinas and many marine-related businesses.

In 2015, the Dania Beach CRA adopted its redevelopment plan which includes the goal of attracting targeted new industries and retaining and expanding core industries. The incentive programs in the plan are designed to directly stimulate and support private investment in new real estate development, property improvements, new businesses, increased business activity, and as a result thereof creation of new jobs. These programs are needed to eliminate and prevent blighting conditions. The CRA is also empowered to financially subsidize commercial, residential and mixed-use private development projects, including but not limited to, direct grants. The Dania Beach CRA also partners with Enterprise Florida, Inc./Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development to provide incentive packages for qualified businesses.

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CELEBRATE EARTH DAY AT THE DANIA BEACH PATCH

Tuesday, April 16, 2019 - 1:48pm

Dania Beach, FL- The annual Earth Day Festival will take place on Saturday, April 20, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Dania Beach PATCH. The event will include over 10 eco-friendly activities and nearly 20 participating vendors will be in attendance. The festival is free of charge and will also feature a ladybug release by Love Our Nation, infused water activity by Heal the Planet, and an aromatherapy workshop by the Banyan House, all free of charge.

“The Dania Beach PATCH Earth Day Festival is a fun, informative, and interactive event to learn about environmentally-friendly and health conscious practices,” said CRA Executive Director, Rickelle Williams.

Other activities include a Zero Waste Discussion by Everything Earth Tribe, a bounce house for the kids, tours of the PATCH garden, seeding activities, scavenger hunt, and games on the green for children and families. During the Zero Waste lecture, attendees will learn practical steps to generate less waste in their daily lives, make their own products and more.

*The Zero Waste class is free, but it is $10 to make a bin in person – worms, guides, and bedding will be provided for the bins. Donations are accepted for the low-waste lecture.

About the PATCH
The City of Dania Beach has been recognized as a food desert in Broward County, lacking access to fresh and healthy food options. As part of its mandate to remove blighted conditions associated with the city, The Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency transformed a vacant lot into what is now called the Dania Beach PATCH (People’s Access to Community Horticulture). The PATCH provides a source of affordable, accessible and sustainably fresh and locally grown produce.

The PATCH Market and Garden are open every Saturday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and weekly from 8:00 am to 10:00 am. Interested vendors can call 954-924-6801 for more information. Visit the PATCH online for event updates, PATCH sales and volunteer opportunities on www.thepatchgarden.com

 
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