09 Dec CRA Board Approves $225,000 Incentive for Virtual Kitchen & Restaurant
On November 17, 2020, the Fort Lauderdale City Commission, acting as the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board of Commissioners, approved $225,000 in CRA incentives to the Blue Tree Cafe, LLC for the build-out of a multi-brand kitchen and restaurant located at 612 NW 9th Avenue. The proposed restaurant will feature a healthy southern style menu with vegan and low sodium options; while offering carry-out service, delivery and catering services.
The Blue Tree Cafe will consist of two “virtual” restaurants. The vegan restaurant, which will offer plant based and low sodium menu items, and the southern style restaurant, which will feature healthy soul food options. Both restaurants will focus on fresh, organic, locally grown and sourced products and ingredients. Customers who order food through tech-enabled ordering platforms for take-out, curbside pick-up or delivery will also be able to see the kitchen operation online and to interact with the chefs virtually.
The 988 square foot restaurant, will be the first establishment to open at the Provident. The Provident is a five-bay commercial complex currently in the process of renovations funded in part by the Fort Lauderdale CRA. The restaurant will include two cooking islands, walk-in refrigerators and prep table areas, separating the vegan food preparation from the other areas, an ADA compliant restroom, an office and a front counter.
The proposed restaurant is owned and operated by Chef Sharon Allen, who has extensive experience in various restaurant and event catering venues. Chef Allen is passionate about preparing consistently top-quality, healthful food, made with the freshest, locally sourced organic ingredients. Her priorities are food quality and value, with the aim of developing a loyal repeat customer base.Chef Allen and her team propose to employ approximately five full-time employees from the Sistrunk area in various capacities, such as chefs, cashiers, delivery drivers and event servers. This number will increase as her business grows.
The estimated total improvement cost for Blue Tree Cafe is projected at $265,500.00, consisting of $135,000.00 in hard construction costs for the build-out of the restaurant, and approximately $130,500.00 for equipment, pre-construction costs and incidentals.
Consistency with the NPF CRA Community Redevelopment Plan
The NPF CRA Community Redevelopment Plan is designed in part, to stimulate private development of areas planned for commercial development. The project is consistent with the NPF CRA Community Redevelopment Plan which provides for direct physical improvements to enhance the overall environment, improve the quality of life and attract sound business and commercial development that provide employment and job opportunities.
Per the CRA plan, the CRA will establish incentive programs to address redevelopment obstacles. The CRA Five-Year Program, which is incorporated as part of the Plan, identifies strategic objectives, goals and measurements that include targeting and attracting businesses, retail uses and industries to establish a presence in the redevelopment area. In addition, it calls for investing in development projects that create job opportunities for area residents, promote public private partnerships and investment in the redevelopment area.