FY 2025 BUDGET BOOK - Flipbook - Page 44
10. Focus on the City’s development and beautification.
➢ The Palmetto Plaza project is advancing into its third phase, which entails the construction
phase and the development of the plaza hardscape. Following a successful public input
meeting, valuable comments and suggestions have been carefully integrated into the project
plan.
11. Encourage residential and commercial redevelopment in the Community Redevelopment
Area (CRA) with incentives and other initiatives.
➢ The City maintains its construction incentive voucher program, offering up to $60,000 in some
portions of the CRA.
➢ Despite the notable level of participation in the water and sewer impact fee waiver program,
the City has decided to discontinue the program due to financial limitations.
➢ The City has implemented processes to streamline the approval of development plans.
➢ The City has begun expanding the CRA programs to better facilitate and encourage
redevelopment within the district.
➢ The CRA Board added two additional members to promote community input.
➢ In collaboration with the Lake Community Action Agency, the CRA has entered into an
agreement to oversee a program dedicated to residential rehabilitation. The program will be
financed with over $40,000 in new funding to supplement the original $250,000 in CRA funds.
The program will focus on enhancing energy efficiency and safety through various
improvements.
➢ Boukalis Enterprises and the CRA have established a development agreement for a 12-unit
market-rate apartment building. Following an extension of the agreement deadline by the
CRA Board, the project is currently underway and is in the construction phase.
➢ The CRA entered into a development agreement to redevelop 201 East Orange Avenue at the
high-profile corner of Orange Avenue and Grove Street. Construction is now complete.
➢ The CRA has recently secured a purchase agreement for the former Florida Hospital
Waterman site. To find the most qualified development team for the site’s redevelopment, the
City issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and selected a development team and is
currently immersed in the Master Plan process.
Actions
1. Develop and maintain attractive City entries and gateways creating civic identity.
➢ In FY 2023/24, the City’s Public Works Department improved the irrigation for the islands
down the middle of SR-19 and landscaped them with trees and plant life.
2. Determine, design, fund, and construct the next phase of the Ferran Park/Lakefront Master
Plan with the possibility of including access for seaplane landings. Designate funds from
City property sales to speed up the lakefront development.
➢ The Ferran Park kayak launch north of the swimming pool area has been completed.
➢ In FY 2024/25, Public Works will be restructuring the lakefront seawall in Ferran Park, to
include installing 72-foot steel pin piles through the structure and driven into the lakebed.
Plans also include repairing the two floating docks as part of the seawall project.
3. The Eustis Memorial Public Library continues to expand programming opportunities for
children and young adults by collaborating with City and community partners such as Trout
Lake Nature Center and the local IFAS extension office to promote year-long recreational
and learning opportunities.
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