Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)

The Crystal River Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) was established on December 1, 1988, through City Ordinance # 88-O-19. The Agency was created following the provisions of Florida Statute 163 based upon data compiled by a research team from the University of Florida / College of Architecture. Details regarding the data utilized are located in the City of Crystal River – Community Redevelopment Plan – 1988 (CR-CRP).

The Redevelopment Area encompasses approximately 606 acres (page 6 of the CR-CRP), which includes much of the downtown area and roughly 7500 lineal feet of waterfront. Funding for the CRA is provided through Tax Increment Financing (TIF). TIF revenues have shown a significant increase in recent years due to increased private sector investment and re-investment in the district. 

The CRA is also charged with the review of construction in its geographic area for compliance with thematic and style standards, as established in the Land Development Code. The Agency is currently working on drafts updating and revising both the Redevelopment Plan and those portions of the LDC relating to the district.

The Agency is looking into diversifying its efforts in the area of economic development of the downtown by improving blighted properties and addressing properties with infrastructure problems. The CRA is also looking at new ways to draw people downtown, to potentially include streetscaping and continued growth in the restaurant/entertainment sector.