STREETSCAPE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (SEP)

Goals/Objectives: To enhance the exterior public space beginning at the face of a building extending to the adjacent right-of-way (“streetscape”) with high quality urban and environmental design that creates a sense of place and eliminates slum and blight.

 

Eligible Area: All properties within the NPF CRA. There is a designated Focus Area defined as Sistrunk Boulevard between NW 24 Avenue and the FEC Railway, including one block north and south of Sistrunk Boulevard; as well as, 9th Avenue (between Sunrise Boulevard and Broward Boulevard), and 7th Avenue (between Sunrise Boulevard and Broward Boulevard).

 

Eligible ProJECTS:
1. Streetscape improvements for an existing building within the NPF CRA designed and used for:
a. Non-residential use, or
b. Mixture of uses containing a combination of residential dwelling units with commercial retail sales, service, office uses or any combination thereof as permitted by the Unified Land Development Regulations, City of Fort Lauderdale.

2. Streetscape improvements associated with the construction of a new building within the NPF CRA designed for:
a. Non-residential use, or
b. Mixture of uses containing a combination of residential dwelling units with commercial retail sales, service, office uses or any combination thereof as permitted by the Unified Land Development Regulations, City of Fort Lauderdale.

 

Eligible Project Costs: Generally, all costs associated with enhanced (features/finishes beyond mandatory City requirements) streetscape improvements constructed on or within the public right-of-way. The proposed improvements may include, but not be limited to, landscaped medians and plantings, street trees, benches, and streetlights as well as fences, yards, porches, and awnings and must comply with CRA design guidelines for the particular street on which the project is located, the Plan, the City of Fort Lauderdale Complete Street Guidelines, the CRA Implementation Plan, the Downtown Master Plan (as applicable), and the Fort Lauderdale Connectivity Master Plan. Design/engineering must be consistent with City, county and state requirements for roadway design/construction.

 

JOB CREATION AND RETENTION REQUIREMENTS: Job creation and/or job retention or another approved performance indicator may be a requirement for assistance provided through this program.

 

Basis/Limits of Benefits:  A SEP award will provide a forgivable loan for up to 70% of the eligible costs not to exceed $500,000. In the Focus Area, the program award will provide a forgivable loan for up to 90% of the eligible costs not to exceed $500,000. The CRA Board (and/or designee), at its sole discretion, may consider increasing the funding limits on a case-by-case basis.

 

Terms and Obligations: The program award will have ongoing obligations / covenants, which includes, but is not limited to a lien on the applicant’s property.

 

Special Conditions: There must be a documented process for the General Contractors and sub-contractors selected for the project. The CRA / City encourage the use of contractors from its approved contractor list. Contractors on the City/CRA contractor list, must be invited to bid on all work solicited by the project owner/developer.