[ad_1]
LEALMAN, Fla. — Pinellas County’s budget for the new fiscal year includes just over $15 million for growth and redevelopment projects in Lealman.
The Lealman Community Redevelopment Area was established 10 years ago, as a way to take tax increment funds and reinvest them into the community for redevelopment. Under Florida law, local governments can designate areas as Community Redevelopment Areas that are physically, economically and aesthetically distressed.
Amy Davis, Community Coordinator for Lealman, says some of the big plans for the FY 2025-2026 budget include new sidewalks, streetscape projects, murals, and a pilot project that will turn an alleyway into a park-like destination.
One of the most recent projects through the Lealman CRA was a partnership with Creative Pinellas to create a giant mural on the side of a 54th Ave N strip mall.
Dilip Nayak runs the 54th Avenue Deli Mart, which sits in the building that hosts the mural.
“Not many people knew about this business, but once they see the mural they’ve been stopping by and it’s actually helping the business,” Nayak said.
Nayak says he’s happy to hear that the Lealman CRA is continuing to prioritize similar projects, as he feels it really makes a difference.
‘It’s definitely a great initiative, I’ve been noticing some changes around the city,” he said.
More than $8 million of the new budget will be going into infrastructure improvements in the Joe’s Creek Industrial Park area. The area is currently a mix of manufacturing and some smaller businesses, but has proven issues with drainage problems.
Te Lealman CRA recently modified the master plan for the industrial park, to allow for more uses going forward.
“Putting the resources of the CRA to help fill in the funding gaps for capital improvements down there and infrastructure improvements will go a long way,” Davis explained.
The Lealman CRA is over 2,500 acres or approximately 4 square miles between 38th Ave N and 62nd Ave N.
[ad_2]
Angie Angers
Source link