Revitalization Area Strategies

1. Revitalization Area Strategies 2013 CDBG Applicants’ Workshop December 12-14, 2012 Georgia Department of Community Affairs

2. Revitalization Area Strategies: Reward efforts demonstrating: • 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

3. Revitalization Area Strategies Rewards: • Can apply for CDBG every year, provided that current CDBG project meets timeliness criteria • Provides up to 20 bonus points on CDBG Annual Competition applications that are proposed within the RAS area • Designation is effective for 3 years, then can re-apply

4. CDBG Revitalization StrategiesRAS Program Scoring Threshold – 5 points Economic Development Tools– 5 points Collaboration– up to 5 points Investment Partnerships– up to 5 points

5. CDBG Revitalization Strategies Threshold Criteria – 5 points • RAS must be within eligible census block group(s) 20% or greater poverty rate • RAS must be within Urban Redevelopment Area with an adopted Urban Redevelopment Plan (O.C.G.A. 36-61) • CDBG Public Participation process Note: Your CDBG Target Area must be located within the RAS Area

6. CDBG Revitalization Strategies Threshold Census Block Group(s) with 20% Poverty URA Area RAS Area CDBG Target Area

7. CDBG Revitalization Strategies Threshold RAS Area Property values for the RAS area are to be tracked each year.

8. Must be within an Urban Redevelopment Area with plan adopted according to O.C.G.A. 36-61 RAS Threshold • A URP is a general blueprint for redevelopment and targeting of public investments • Gives municipalities powers to redevelop blighted or threatened areas of the community

9. “A masterplan with teeth” Urban Redevelopment Plan • Allows for limited condemnation (where necessary) of property for the implementation of the plan • Check with City Attorney for procedures—note changes to eminent domain law that took effect in 2006

10. “A masterplan with teeth” Urban Redevelopment Plan • Allows the imposition of conditions more specific than existing land use regulations. Conditions run with the property and control development above other land use regulations. Design standards may be included • Can waive or modify ordinance provisions that stand in the way of revitalization • Shows public what will replace blight • UR entity may issue tax exempt bonds to be repaid with profits from redevelopment project. May be secured by mortgages on property within the district.

11. Urban Redevelopment PlansO.C.G.A. 36-61 Plan Checklist-- • A Statement that the URP is consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan • Clearly defined boundaries • Explanation of negative conditions in the area • The city’s land use objectives for the area • Any possible exceptions to development regulations • Description of land parcels to be acquired

12. Urban Redevelopment PlansO.C.G.A. 36-61 Plan Checklist, cont’d. • Structures to be demolished or rehabilitated • Strategy for relocating any displaced residents • Any covenants / restrictions to be placed on properties in the redevelopment area • Public infrastructure to be provided (transportation, water, sewer, sidewalks, lighting, streetscapes, public recreational space, parking, etc.) to support redevelopment • Strategy for leveraging private resources • A workable strategy for implementing the plan

13. Urban Redevelopment PlansO.C.G.A. 36-61 • Covenants / restrictions to be placed on properties in the redevelopment area Example: Thomasville Urban Redevelopment Plan includes Design Guidelines with 25 plans forhomes.

14. More reasons to develop the URA plan… • Provides bonus points for CHIP • Expanding access to job tax credits through Opportunity Zone designation

15. CDBG Revitalization Strategies Economic Development tools – 5 points • Tax Allocation District (O.C.G.A. 36-44) • Community Improvement District • Business Improvement District • Enterprise Zone (O.C.G.A. 36-88) • Opportunity Zone • Other locally designated, geographically targeted strategies

16. Economic Development tools – 5 points CDBG Revitalization Strategies Washington passed Enterprise Zone and Developed Nuisance Ordinance and Non-Conforming Use Ordinance as a way to handle properties that contribute to blight

17. Economic Development tools – 5 points CDBG Revitalization Strategies Cornelia passed The Community Redevelopment Tax Incentive Ordinance, used as leverage to deal with properties that contribute to blight REHAB COMPLETE

18. Economic Development tools – 5 points CDBG Revitalization Strategies • Thomson: • Local Land Bank Authority achievements: • Policies and procedures written, approved, posted on web • $10,000 deposited in LBA account • One property, donated and re-sold in February 2012

19. Collaboration – up to 5 points CDBG Revitalization Strategies Washington: Homebuyer Education workshop--DCA Credit Counseling /Financial Literacy classes with area banks Housing Expo—now an annual event Home Buyer Ed, 1 on 1—with DCA Partners—WashingtonHousing Expo

20. CDBG Revitalization Strategies Collaboration – up to 5 points Cornelia: City Fire Dept. demos abandoned house. City is constructing new park using Land and Water Conservation Grant from DNR.

21. CDBG Revitalization Strategies Collaboration – up to 5 points • Hiltonia: • City has begun enforcement of Public Nuisance Ordinance. • 25 letters sent to owners that allowed property to become blighted or dilapidated. • 20 owners submitted plans to correct the violation • 10 owners have completed cleanup. • 5 owners have been issued citations with required court appearances. • City participates in “Great American Cleanup” and 35 citizens picked up 3 tons of trash in their community.

22. CDBG Revitalization Strategies Investment partnerships – up to 5 points Thomson, a GICH community… More rehabs by private owners in RAS area

23. CDBG Revitalization Strategies Investment partnerships – up to 5 points Thomson, a GICH community… Pitts Park is completed in RAS area

24. CDBG Revitalization Strategies Investment partnerships – up to 5 points Madison: New investment and potential partnerships: City purchases then gifts property to DDA to become neighborhood service hub, with grocery and food options, small business incubator space and accessory affordable housing. Harvest of the Heart Garden, 501c3, has proposed use of space, including multi-faceted community cannery and rentals for home-based industries.

25. For more info:http://www.dca.ga.gov Please refer to RAS Manual and RAS Form 1 for Application Checklist See RAS Form 2 for Annual Progress Report

26. For more info: Revitalization Area Strategies, contact: • Steed Robinson (404) 679-3168 steed.robinson@dca.ga.gov Urban Redevelopment Plans, contact: • Mary Alice Applegate (404) 290-3983 maryalice.applegate@dca.ga.gov • Kelly Lane (404) 227-3619 kelly.lane@dca.ga.gov