Delray CRA project extended one year

By John Johnston
Managing Editor

Palm Beach County commissioners have amended an agreement, giving another year for completion of three Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) projects -- toward which some county funds have been obligated.  The new completion date is now Feb. 20, 2011.

In 2006 the county approved a grant agreement with the Delray CRA for the following three economic development projects:

• City Limits (SCRAM LLC),
• Dental Office of Jonathan Freed, DDS,
• BADI d/b/a Community Market Store and Hammad Plaza. 

City Limits (SCRAM LLC) has been completed, said commissioners while Jonathan Freed did not want to proceed with the dental office, commissioners said. 

The remaining project, BADI d/b/a Community Market Store and Hammad Plaza, experienced delays due to a project size and cost increase.  However, the project is now moving forward, commissioners said, and is in the final permitting phase. The amended agreement provides for a one-year extension, and eliminates the funding earmarked for the dental office project.

The scope of the BADI project that includes interior/exterior renovations has increased. The total BADI project cost increased from $350,000 to $400,000, but with county funds remaining at $50,000, the CRA funds remaining at $25,000 and private funds increasing to $325,000.

In addition, the CRA has committed to paying a portion of the landscape and sidewalk improvements. This project will create a total of five (5) full-time equivalent jobs.

The completed project, City Limits (SCRAM LLC) was awarded $50,000 in county funds with a $25,000 CRA match to renovate its building for a total cost of $773,050 – and creating 18 full-time equivalent jobs. With the elimination of the Freed dental office, the general county/CRA agreement will decrease by $50,000.