Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)

/Business/Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)

The Winter Haven Community Redevelopment Agency, established in 2000, fosters and promotes community redevelopment activities in two designated districts: Downtown and Florence Villa.

The CRA is a “special district” under Florida Statute. Activities of the CRA are detailed in redevelopment plans customized for each district and include:

Infrastructure Improvements
Streetscaping or Beautification
Affordable Housing
Recreation & Park Facility Improvements
Economic Development
Transportation
Neighborhood Enhancement

The CRA is operated by a Board of Directors, including the five current City Commissioners and two City residents. The board receives input from two advisory committees, one for each district.

The CRA is primarily funded through Tax Increment Financing (TIF), a process of capturing property tax revenues that would normally go to Polk County and the City. TIF funds are deposited into a Redevelopment Trust Fund that can then be spent on specific projects or used to leverage additional financing for larger projects.

CRA Documents

CRA Redevelopment Plans

CRA Boundary Maps

Downtown CRA Boundary Map (859.4 acres)
Florence Villa CRA Boundary Map (715.3 acres)

Agenda Packets

CRA Agenda Packets

CRA Annual Report

CRA Budget

FY 2022-2023 Budget

CRA Meeting Schedule

CRA 2023 Meeting Schedule

Reserved Parking Program

The City of Winter Haven has the ability to lease up to 10% of all individual spaces located within City-owned parking facilities on a year-to-year basis. This includes spaces located in the Downtown Parking Garage and designated City-owned surface lots. For more information, contact the Department of Economic Opportunity & Community Investment.