Palmetto Hungry Howies to get $50,000+ redevelopment grant

The grant money will come from the Palmetto CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), which is "dedicated to a holistic approach to improving the quality of life and economy of the City." It will be aid back in coming years through tax increment financing. That is, the fixed-up property will be taxed at a high rate than before it was renovated. The total grant is $50K. $10K is ”maintenance“ oriented at a 75/25 CRA-to-owner pay ratio, and $40K is at a 50/50 pay ratio.

Improvements the grant will help pay for include new awnings, paint, and fencing. Work can't start until Florida Power and Light moves a large ground-level transformer currently mounted at the front of the property. Jeff Burton, Palmetto interim CRA administrator, shrugged his shoulders when asked how long that might take. "I'll let you know when I find out," he said. "They're FPL..."

Hugry Howies is located at 1705 8th Avenue West. It is a popular spot with Palmetto High School students, probably because it is only two blocks from the campus. There is a vacant lot next door, and Vice Mayor Tamara Cornwell suggested that the Hungry Howie's franchises and the city should both look at acquiring that lot and turning it into parking. Cornwall warned, about the renovation work, that "however nice you make that building, there will still be no parking." 

Could CRA money be used for some or all of that aquisition?

This question was unresolved. Burton said he'd look into it.

He may also get a little help  at looking into things before long. The commission aproved hiring a VISTA volunteer at a cost of about $7500 per year to help with CRA tasks including mapping and categorizing buildings and lots within the CRA zone. (The balance of the VISTA person's salary, benefits, and expenses will be paid by the federal government.)

In addition, the CRA is now going to work with business owners to add murals and other public art projects to Palmetto's streets. As part of this effort, Burton will work with zoning and code enforcement people to not only city businesses for illegal signage, but offer them grant money and other help to produce legal, hurricane-resistant, better-looking signs. "We've had a lot of stick (when it comes to signs)," he said, "but not much carrot. Now we'll add some carrot to the mix and see what happens."