Revitalization Area Strategies

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Revitalization Area Strategies

• Partnering for Neighborhood Progress

2
Revitalization Area Strategies (RAS)

• Purpose
• Encourage local governments to build strategies
  for redeveloping blighted areas

3
Remember

• Revitalization applications must be turned in
  separately from CDBG applications.
• Applications accepted throughout the year prior
  to April 1st
• Additional documentation WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
  AFTER APRIL 1ST

4
CDBG Revitalization Strategies

• Benefits
• Can apply for CDBG every year
• Provides up to 20 bonus points on CDBG Annual
  Competition applications
• Five points on CHIP Annual Competition and
  Set-aside (if available) for projects in RAS
  areas
• Small amount of money may be available for
  planning

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Scoring Criteria

• Threshold Criteria
• Economic Development tools
• Investment Partnerships
• Collaboration

6
CDBG Revitalization Strategies

• Threshold Criteria 5 points
• Eligible census block group(s) 20 or greater
  poverty rate
• Urban Redevelopment Area (O.C.G.A. 36-61)
• CDBG Public Participation process

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CDBG Revitalization Strategies

• Economic Development tools 5 points
• Tax Allocation District (O.C.G.A. 36-88)
• Community Improvement District
• Business Improvement District
• Enterprise Zone (O.C.G.A. 36-88)
• Other locally designated, geographically
  targeted strategies

8
CDBG Revitalization Strategies

• Economic Development tools 5 points
• Enterprise Zone (O.C.G.A. 36-88)

EZ Incentives for Tifton business -Waiver of
building permit fee -Waiver of business license
fee 1.5 years -Property tax abatement worth
11,412,760 over 10 years
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CDBG Revitalization Strategies

• Economic Development tools 5 points
• Other locally designated, geographically
  targeted strategies

Washington Developed Nuisance Ordinance and
Non-Conforming Use Ordinance as a way to handle
properties that contribute to blight
10
CDBG Revitalization Strategies

• Economic Development tools 5 points
• Other locally designated, geographically
  targeted strategies

Washington Using Brownfield Grant to take care
of blighted property
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CDBG Revitalization Strategies

• Investment Partnerships up to 5 points
• Includes funding partners such as
• Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority
• Small Business Administration
• U.S. Treasury
• Tennessee Valley Authority
• U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Georgia Housing Finance Authority

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CDBG Revitalization Strategies

• Investment Partnerships up to 5 points

Toccoa GA Carolina Radiocasting 240,000-built
1 house 60,000 and 3 additional houses, Habitat
for Humanitybuilt 1 house, another planned CCC
Services 1,300 raised for classes USDA letter
of qual. for 2 homeowners GA Dream DCA--One
loan ReMax 1,200 1st time homebuyer classes NE
GA Housing Authority invested 830,900 in
adjacent area First Citizens 500k for home
loans
13
CDBG Revitalization Strategies

• Investment Partnerships up to 5 points

• Tifton
• Workforce Center, Developed by Partnership Rural
  Development Center, Moultrie Tech, City, DDA

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CDBG Revitalization Strategies

• Collaboration up to 5 points
• Stakeholders may include
• Local lending institutions
• Community or neighborhood housing organizations
• Community based development organizations
• Community development corporations
• Community development entities

15
CDBG Revitalization Strategies

• Collaboration up to 5 points

Washington Homebuyer Education workshop--DCA
Rusher Street Memorial Park--Committee Credit
Counseling /Financial Literacy classes with area
banks Housing Exponow an annual event Home Buyer
Ed, 1 on 1with DCA
PartnersWashington Housing Expo
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CDBG Revitalization Strategies

• Collaboration up to 5 points

Toccoa TICH housing fair, inspection,
demolition costs GA Baptist MERGE 5 home
repairs during summer program Hill Street
BaptistYouth set up free clothing Boutique in
area
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Urban Redevelopment Plan

• Establish an Urban Redevelopment Plan
• Cities
• Counties
• By simple resolution.
• No referendum required!

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2005-2009 Approved Revitalization Area Strategies

• 2005
• City of Waycross
• City of Ocilla (Denied 2008)
• City of Thomson/McDuffie County
• Hall County
• 2006
• City of Barnesville
• City of Hartwell
• City of LaGrange
• 2007
• City of Fitzgerald
• City of Valdosta
• City of Hinesville

• 2008
• City of Colquitt
• City of Darien
• City of Griffin
• City of Tifton
• City of Toccoa
• City of Washington
• 2009
• City of Brunswick
• City of Cuthbert
• City of Thomasville

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RAS Projects
City of LaGrange Street Connections
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RAS Projects
City of LaGrange Safe, Affordable Rental Housing
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RAS Projects
City of Hartwell - Residential Blight
Hall County - Drainage
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RAS Projects
City of Toccoa - Residential Blight
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RAS Projects
City of Washington Rusher Street Residential
Blight
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What They Did Well

• Consulted with DCA staff during drafting
• Long-term vision for the area
• Well-defined area that included comprehensive
  activities
• Grassroots involvement from area residents
• Commitment from other funding partners
• Documented commitment from funders and
  stakeholders

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Fix the Problems

• Understand the rules
• RAS Form 1 checklist is just a reminder
• Read Applicants Manual instructions for
  Revitalization Strategies
• Use the DCA Guidebook to URA
• Read O.C.G.A. 36-61-1 et seq. on the Urban
  Redevelopment Law

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Maps

• Projects must be entirely within RAS boundaries

CDBG/CHIP maps must make clear RAS boundaries
27
Report Certification

• Yearly Annual Progress Report RAS Form - 2
• Three-Year Re-designation Certification

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Questions

• Michelle Lewis 404.679.0659 michelle.lewis_at_
  dca.ga.gov
• Glenn Misner 404.679.3138
• glenn.misner_at_dca.ga.gov
• Steed Robinson - 404.679.3168
• steed.robinson_at_dca.ga.gov