History of the CRA

With the creation of the Crystal River Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) in 1988 by Ordinance 88-O-19, the Crystal River Community Redevelopment Plan was also developed. This plan implemented the strategies and programs to help combat the decline and address blighting influences identified at the time in the designated downtown area for over 30 years. Since then, additional planning efforts have been completed in the area including a Visioning Plan for the downtown in 2008, the CRA Waterfront District Master Plan concept and strategies in 2013, and the Crystal River Waterfront District Development Incentive Program in 2014. 

Part III of Chapter 163, Florida Statutes, allows for the Community Redevelopment Plan to be modified. On August 24, 2015, the City Council adopted Ordinance 15-O-05, modifying the CRA Plan for an additional 25 years and updating the CRA Plan accordingly.

Background 

In the mid-1980s, the downtown portion of Crystal River was facing a crisis. Area-wide growth during the '60s and '70s had caused the business centers of the town to expand along the Highway 19 corridor away from the town center. The Crystal River Mall drew shoppers to the north away from the town center, and several strip malls were built southerly toward Homosassa. During the construction of the Florida Power plants, the town had grown from an influx of well-paid workers and executives. However, by the mid-1980s, construction had slowed down, resulting in an overall dampening effect on the local economy. The downtown area was caught between the threat of newer, flashy shopping areas to the north and south and the doldrums of an overall economic slowdown.

As this progressed, business failures and vacancies in both the commercial and residential areas of the town center increased. Along with this came the blight of neglected properties, damaged streets and sidewalks, and over-deterioration. Seeing this problem, the City government, along with the local businesses and citizens, sought a way to revitalize the downtown. Research committees appointed by the City Council and local civic and mercantile organizations began the long process of establishing the CRA as a mechanism to save the town center.

The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) was established on December 1, 1988, through City Ordinance #88-0-19, as executed by Mayor Herb Williams. 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 CRA is unique because it is a designated Special District under F.S. Chapters 163 and 189. In September, 2010 City Council approved Resolution #10-R-43 declaring the City Council the governing body of the CRA.

The redevelopment area encompasses approximately 606 acres (page 6 of the CR-CRP), which includes much of the downtown area and roughly 7,500 lineal feet of waterfront. Funding for the CRA is provided through Tax Increment Financing (TIF). TIF revenues have shown a dramatic increase in recent years due to increased private sector investment and re-investment in the district. Private sector investment, in accordance with F.S. Ch. 163 "Encouragement of Private Enterprise," is evidence of the success of the agency's initiative.

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 (LDC). The agency is currently working on drafts updating and revising both the Redevelopment Plan and those portions of the LDC relating to the district. 

In 2024, the CRA began an evaluation of the expansion of the geographic boundaries of the Agency. This will allow for widespread redevelopment in areas with blighted conditions. Once the consultant completes field observations and analyzes the proposed expansion area, a preliminary findings of necessity report will be prepared, a tax increment financing (TIF) revenue analysis will be conducted, and finally, an update will be made to the Crystal River Community Redevelopment Plan.