FAQs About Redevelopment

BROWARD COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
REDEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

1 . WHAT IS BROWARD COUNTY’S REDEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE?
The Broward County Commission has identified the establishment of a redevelopment partnership with Broward County’s municipalities as a priority goal. In March of 2003, the Broward County Commission approved the creation of a new Department of Urban Planning and Redevelopment (DUPR) to prepare and coordinate County programs and policies regarding redevelopment. DUPR was created through the merger of several County divisions or portions of divisions, with no increase in the number of positions and minimal budget adjustments. The DUPR reports directly to the County Administrator. DUPR is currently in the process of preparing a redevelopment program and policy options for County Commission consideration.

2 . WHY DO WE NEED A COUNTY URBAN PLANNING/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY?
Redevelopment is perhaps Broward County’s greatest challenge today as our population is projected to grow by nearly a million people to 2.6 million over the next 30 years. Since vacant lands in western Broward County are nearing buildout, most of this growth will take place as development of remaining scattered vacant parcels in the urban area or redevelopment of underutilized or blighted areas. We have to take steps now to plan for this growth if it is to take place in a manner that maintains the quality of life for Broward County residents.

3 . WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE COUNTY IN REDEVELOPMENT?
The County’s role is to take the regional perspective to plan and finance regional infrastructure; prudently manage the County’s fiscal resources; establish County-wide land use policy; target financial assistance to priority areas; and facilitate joint city-county planning. A major focus of the County’s redevelopment program will be the unincorporated area including neighborhood enhancement, single family home construction, upgrading commercial corridors and community code compliance.

4 . WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE MUNICIPALITIES?
Broward County acknowledges that municipalities will continue to lead in initiating, planning and managing redevelopment including approving development plans, site plans, zoning petitions, providing local infrastructure, etc.

5 . WHAT KIND OF ASSISTANCE AND INCENTIVES WILL THE COUNTY OFFER THE MUNICIPALITIES?
The assistance and incentives program is still in development for approval by the County Administrator and County Commission. Areas under consideration include direct financial assistance to planned local redevelopment efforts; technical assistance towards redevelopment; economic development and code enforcement efforts; and targeting of County capital improvements expenditures to planned redevelopment areas.

6 . WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF BROWARD COUNTY’S REDEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE?
Enhancement of unincorporated area neighborhoods including construction of affordable single family housing and upgraded commercial corridors. Establishment of a sense of place including pedestrian friendly streetscapes, aesthetically pleasing road corridors and world class County government facilities. Careful management of the County’s fiscal resources to assist municipalities with their plans to redevelop blighted commercial strips and residential areas. Accommodation of our projected population in a manner which maintains the quality of life of Broward County residents. Development of a future land use pattern which enhances use of mass transit and reduces traffic congestion.

7 . HOW WILL OUPR WORK WITH MUNI CIPALITIES AND COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCIES (CRAs)?
The DUPR will continue to work with municipalities through existing intergovernmental organizations such as the Broward League of Cities, the Metropolitan Planning Organization, the South Florida Regional Planning Council, the State Road 7 Collaborative and Broward County Planning Council. Staff is meeting directly with municipal officials and is planning workshops in the near future to discuss the framework for the County’s redevelopment program.

To address concerns about the potential impact of CRAs and tax increment financing on the County’s tax base, the DUPR has been directed by the County Administrator to develop alternatives to traditional CRA funding. DUPR staff has been meeting with staff from several cities and CRAs and is in the process developing the alternatives.

8 . ARE FUNDS BUDGETED FOR FINANCIAL INCENTIVES FOR MUNICIPALITIES?
The County Commission is scheduled to review the proposed redevelopment program in July. Following that meeting and Commission direction, an incentive program will be developed for inclusion in the County’s FY 2003/2004 budget.

9 . WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Over the next several months, the County will hold several workshops with various interest groups and the general public to seek input into the program. The first workshop for elected municipal/county officials and city managers was held on June 25th at the Broward County Convention Center.

South Florida Regional Planning Council: City and County Redevelopment Roles -- A Workshop for City and County Officials -- pdf

10 . WHERE CAN I GET ADDITIONAL INFORMATION?
Contact the Department of Urban Planning and Redevelopment at 954-357-6612.