The CRA Budget Is Investing in Our Community: Over $1 Billion In Development Underway In Hallandale Beach

By Hallandale Beach Mayor Joy Cooper

September 20, 2024

Over the past years CRA has been strategically investing in various Above Ground Infrastructure Projects to enhance areas that typically have been without basic amenities. The main purpose of a Community Redevelopment Area is to address slums and blight. In analyzing the needs there are many factors to consider, the lack in parking, sidewalks, and lighting.

When our city began 96 years ago, it was built out lot by lot and in some cases block by block. We were not a master-planned community like you see being built now. With this lack of continuity there comes a patchwork of simple quality of life amenities missing or nonexistent. Our goal is to change that.

In 2020, the CRA took a loan based on future revenues of twenty million dollars. The projects to be funded included completing sidewalks throughout the city, west of 14th Avenue. Some streets have zero sidewalks and others simply one side, many are currently under construction. In addition, they are making sure there are safe ADA crosswalks installed. These measures will make our City much more walkable and safer.

The other main project is to add street lighting. This project includes adding some decorative lighting along the main corridors but mainly to add led lighting on existing FPL light poles within the neighborhood. This certainly will make the area safer and more accessible.

Another walkable community project being funded by the CRA is the Hallandale Beach Art Trail. The Art Trail will be built and interconnect our parks through a multi-use trail. The Trail will be highlighted with Art installations and streetscapes.

While we are building out these two projects, we are also focused on additional Capital projects. Some of these are additions to our park amenities. Our City never finished Chaves Lake. As part of the GO Bond. That project fell behind schedule and currently has not been funded for over four years. This year due to the tax increment increases we can budget a new plan for Chaves Lake Eco Park and Community Garden. The first step to build the park will include a remediation project in partnership with the state and county.

The other addition is the funding of a new pavilion at BF James Park. This summer our City arborist determined our old Banyan Tree had to be taken down. This was truly a sad day for the community who called the Banyon a Historic Gathering Place. The CRA will be building a new pavilion at the site where the tree was located. It will be a welcomed addition to the many residents that gather there to play dominoes and spend time together.

The other main focal point of our CRA is economic development efforts is District 8. The area located on 1st Street has been an area that is currently being revitalized with restaurants and new stores. The CRA has been investing in these new businesses through grants and loans to create an entertainment district. The roadway has been repaved and storefronts updated. The community should be soon hearing about grand openings of new restaurants. On another note, Owners of Ice Box Café have found a new restauranteur soon to be announced. Please look for some grand openings and join us at District 8. The CRA is also providing 10-dollar ride credits for Uber or Lift within the CRA. You can be picked up and dropped off at one of the many businesses.

In light of the extreme cost of housing our CRA is also expanding investments in Affordable Housing programs. We have a budget of over twelve million for housing to purchase land and existing homes to build units. Our Goal is to create a minimum of fifty housing units that will remain affordable. We will also continue to help individuals with first-time home buyers grants of up to eighty thousand and provide rental assistance.

We are certainly continuing our successful Neighborhood Improvement programs this budget. This includes Hurricane Window and Door grants, Paint the Town or free paint program, Senior Mini grant for home improvements and emergency utility assistance.

You can find out more about our CRA Budget and programs at: www.cohbCRA.org

As always, I am available anytime for your questions, concerns, and ideas to make our city a better place. Connect with me by Phone/Text at: (954) 632-5700. Or you can email me at: jcooper@cohb.org. Please visit my website at: www.mayorjoycooper.com - And my Facebook page @MayorJoyCooper. Like, follow, and share.