CRA district sets sights on improvements

HIGH SPRINGS – Parking, landscaping and façade improvements are current priorities of the High Springs Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). The agency voted to direct the city to go out for bids for the creation of approximately 16 new parking spaces on NW 1st Street. City Manager Ed Booth estimates the cost to create those parking spaces will be in the $4,000-$6,000 range.

The city is required to go out to bid on any project over $5,000. However, if the city is able to negotiate a price under $5,000 with a qualified company, the city is not required to put the project out for bid.

A second plan to create parking spaces in the vicinity of the city's Police Department was tabled to the next CRA meeting. A detailed map showing exactly where the proposed parking will be located will be provided to board members at that time.

Earlier in the year, the CRA board set aside a total of $5,000 to help property owners improve the outside of their homes by repairing or replacing damaged facades. During the Thursday, April 3, CRA meeting, board members awarded facade grants to two property owners whose homes are locate within the CRA District for needed repairs to their homes.

Repairs or replacement such as roofs, windows, doors, or painting the outside of a home were just some of the types of improvements discussed at the time the budget for this fiscal year was prepared. As each grant would not exceed $1,000, homeowners would be expected to match the amount of the grant and pay the balance of the cost to complete the facade repairs themselves.

The CRA unanimously approved a facade grant of $1,000 to John T. Kennedy, 305 NW 2nd Ave., to replace two windows in his sunroom. Kennedy estimated the total cost of repairs at $2,610.

The board also decided unanimously to do the same thing for Martha P. Conrad in the same dollar amount for a roof replacement which is estimated to cost $6,655. Although she lives in Newberry, the property is located in High Springs at 130 NW 3rd Street.

The High Springs Historical Society, Inc. received approval to purchase $375 worth of landscaping plants, mulch and a sign to identify the brick walkway area constructed using bricks originally purchased by individuals in remembrance of their railroad family members. The walkway is located to the right of the front door of the city's Historic High Springs Elementary School and Community Center located at 120 NW 2nd Ave.

Two of three benches located behind the High Springs Police Department were also donated to the organization by the city. Volunteers will repair the two benches and plan to use them as seating in the garden area.

Currently, the historical society museum is housed in that building and the building is also used by the city and rented to groups and organizations for events and meetings. Historical Society volunteers will plant and maintain the garden area in the future.

#     #     #

Email cwalker@

alachuatoday.com