Under Florida law (Chapter 163, Part III), local governments are able to designate areas as Community Redevelopment Areas when certain conditions exist. Since all the monies used in financing CRA activities are locally generated, CRA's are not overseen by the State, but redevelopment plans must be consistent with local government comprehensive plans. To document that the required conditions exist, the local government must survey the proposed redevelopment area and prepare a Finding of Necessity. If the Finding of Necessity determines that the required conditions (slum and blight) exist, the local government may create a Community Redevelopment Agency to provide the tools needed to foster and support positive redevelopment of the targeted area. There are currently more than 150 Community Redevelopment Areas throughout the State of Florida.
The Downtown District, created in 1979, is approximately 580 acres and extends from 22nd Avenue on the west to generally 17th Avenue on the east, Johnson Street on the north and Washington Street on the south. (view map ( link ))
The Beach District, created in 1997, consists of 293 acres from Sherman Street south to the south property line of the Diplomat Resort and Spa, and from the Intracoastal Waterway to the Atlantic Ocean. (view map ( link ))