The Flagler Beach Community Redevelopment Agency on Sept. 25 named members of a new CRA advisory board, approved two small redevelopment grants to downtown property owners and adopted the CRA operating and capital improvements budget for fiscal year 2025–26.

Why it matters: The CRA’s advisory board is intended to strengthen outreach and engagement with area businesses. Small grants fund façade and frontage improvements on Main Street properties; the CRA budget provides staff the authority to pursue lighting, Veterans Park and Wickline Park improvements in the coming year.

Appointments
City staff announced the advisory-board appointments and term lengths for the CRA business and resident seats. Named business representatives serving two-year terms include Christopher Marlow, Jeff Meyer and Manaj Bulla. One-year business seats were announced for Anthony Sonali and Don Romero. Resident seats included Penny Hackett (name clarified during the roll call) and Gerald Reynolds as resident at-large.

Small redevelopment grants
- 404 South Ocean Shore Boulevard: Applicant Mr. Wade requested a small redevelopment grant for frontage improvements to restore a front porch, repair wall boards and windows and remove overgrown landscaping. Staff said the project estimates exceeded $30,000; the CRA’s small-grant program provides up to $5,000, reimbursable; staff recommended approval. The motion to approve carried by roll call 4–0.
- 316 South Ocean Shore Boulevard: Applicant Ms. Revels requested funding to create the appearance of two facades (front office and rear retail facing the Waffle Cone). Staff reported two competitive bids for each scope; staff recommended $4,607.50, which reflects 50% of the quoted $9,000 estimated cost (up to the $5,000 maximum). The motion carried by roll call 4–0.

CRA budget
City staff presented Resolution 2025–83 to adopt the CRA operating and capital improvements budget for FY 2025–2026. Commissioners asked for clarification of capital project listings in the packet; staff explained that some line items in the budget packet appear in other funds and highlighted CRA-specific capital items (CRA city parking lot, CRA light replacement, Wickline Park renovation and Veterans Park improvements). The CRA budget resolution passed on a roll-call vote, 4–0.

Quoted from meeting
"He is seeking funding to undertake a significant frontage improvement designed to enhance the building's curb appeal," the CRA director said during the grant presentation.

Next steps
Staff will process grant reimbursements after applicants complete work and submit required documentation. The newly appointed CRA advisory board will begin outreach with area businesses and is expected to advise on implementation priorities for CRA-funded capital improvements.