About MCRA

Margate Community Redevelopment Agency Overview & General Information

The City of Margate Community Redevelopment Agency (MCRA) is a dependent special district created in 1996 by the Margate City Commission pursuant to Florida Statutes Chapter 163 Part III, “Community Redevelopment Act of 1969.” The MCRA operates pursuant to Florida Statutes Chapter 163 Part III and also complies with requirements of Florida Statutes Chapter 189, Uniform Special District Accountability Act.

Public Purpose

The Community Redevelopment Act confers upon counties and municipalities the authority and powers to carry out community redevelopment activities within a designated redevelopment area. Pursuant to F.S Chapter 163.350 “Any county or municipality for the purposes of this part may formulate for the county or municipality a workable program for utilizing appropriate private and public resources to eliminate and prevent the development or spread of slums and urban blight, to encourage needed community rehabilitation, to provide for the redevelopment of slum and blighted areas, to provide housing affordable to residents of low or moderate income, including the elderly, or to undertake such of the aforesaid activities or other feasible county or municipal activities as may be suitably employed to achieve the objectives of such workable program. Such a workable program may include provision for the prevention of the spread of blight into areas of the county or municipality which are free from blight through diligent enforcement of housing, zoning, and occupancy controls and standards; the rehabilitation or conservation of slum and blighted areas or portions thereof by replanning, removing congestion, providing parks, playgrounds, and other public improvements, encouraging voluntary rehabilitation, and compelling the repair and rehabilitation of deteriorated or deteriorating structures; the development of affordable housing; the implementation of community policing innovations; and the clearance and redevelopment of slum and blighted areas or portions thereof.”

Boundaries

The boundaries of the MCRA redevelopment district are indicated in blue on the map provided. View CRA Boundary Map (PDF).

Services Provided

The MCRA plans and implements redevelopment and economic development activities within its district, as outlined in the adopted Community Redevelopment Plan. Among the projects and activities outlined in the plan are streetscape beautification and infrastructure upgrades, façade and landscape improvement grants, small business assistance programs, assemblage of properties to create a city center in the vicinity of SR. 7 and Margate Boulevard, park and recreation improvements, transportation amenities, economic development assistance, marketing and promotions, and elimination of slum and blighted conditions.

Creation of MCRA - Background & History

In April 1994, the Margate City Commission created an advisory board to explore economic development opportunities in order to create and sustain safe, attractive neighborhoods and vibrant commercial districts, and to revitalize our City Center as a destination for residential, commercial, cultural, recreation, and historic activities. After extensive research, the board recommended the creation of a Community Redevelopment Agency. The first step in this process, adopting a Finding of Necessity was completed in March 1996, following a thorough investigation of existing conditions in the proposed Redevelopment Area. On August 13, 1996, the Broward County Board of Commissioners adopted Resolution 96-0697 delegating authority to the City of Margate to create a community redevelopment agency. On October 2, 1996, the City Commission created the City of Margate Community Redevelopment Agency through the adoption of City Ordinance 96-15. The Community Redevelopment Plan was adopted by the Margate City Commission in September 1997. The latest Redevelopment Plan update was approved in January 2017.

City Ordinance 96-15 (PDF)

Broward County Commission Resolution 96-0697 (PDF)

The Margate CRA has made great progress since its establishment in 1996. Some of its major projects include streetscape improvements such as the buffer walls on Atlantic Boulevard and the median landscaping on State Road 7, Atlantic Boulevard and Margate Boulevard; the traffic circle, clock tower, and decorative light poles along Margate Boulevard and NW 58th Avenue, and improvements to the median at Coconut Creek Parkway. These projects have transformed the physical appearance of these primary roadways. Other beautification efforts, including adaptive reuse of aging properties and façade improvements funded through the CRA’s grant program, have further enhanced the appearance of the redevelopment area. Other projects include the installation of bus shelters, improvements to Kaye Stevens Park, and the assemblage of property for the City Center development. These activities are directed at improving the quality of life for Margate residents as well as stimulating private investment to strengthen the local economy and increase property values in the redevelopment area.

MCRA Governing Body

Although it functions within the City of Margate, the Margate CRA is a separate and distinct legal entity. The Margate City Commission also serves as the appointed board governing the Margate CRA.