High Springs Expands CRA District, Farmer’s Market Survey Results In

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The High Springs Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) hopes to extend its sunset date to 2046 and voted unanimously to approve a CRA 2023 Plan update, which also includes an expanded designated area. The CRA is responsible for implementing redevelopment activities in specific areas in High Springs.

The original High Springs CRA Plan was adopted in 1986. Discussion and agreements in 2020 with Alachua County regarding extension of the “sunset” provisions set in motion subsequent updates. In August 2021 the board completed a Strategic Action Plan undertaken in March through June of that year.

The High Springs CRA 2023 Plan Update includes an added expansion area that meets the criteria to be classified as blighted. On Jan. 15 2024, GAI Consultant Community Solutions Group (CSG) Senior Advisor Thomas Kohler addressed the High Springs CRA board to request approval of updates to the CRA Plan.

Kohler said that Florida Statutes Chapter 163 allows the CRA to be extended for a total of 60 years, which would extend it to 2046. “I don’t know if Alachua County would agree to that,” said Kohler, “but they could say they’ll go 5 years or 10 years, but right now we’re asking for the full 60 years.”

Kohler reviewed the plan, indicated the expansion area and explained what the potential revenue to the CRA fund might be during various optional expanded time periods.

In other business, High Springs Police Chief Antoine Sheppard addressed the Board to report that he, City Manager Ashely Stathatos and Mayor Katherine Weitz recently traveled to Tallahassee to meet with state appropriation board members and the lobbyist hired by the previous city commission to garner support for a police station funding request. High Springs is requesting a three-year appropriation of $800,000 annually.

Farmers Market Survey

Results from the recent Farmers Market Survey prompted CRA Manager Amy Bohannon to suggest additional signage and adding musical performances might help to make the High Springs Farmers Market (HSFM) more of a destination. The survey was developed to garner customer insights, what attracts customers to the High Springs Farmers Market (HSFM), customer preference as far as products and activities and customer loyalty.

City Manager Ashley Stathatos also suggested increasing the variety of produce sold at the market, and that adding sellers who carry olive oil, homemade breads or specialty spices may attract more visitors. She said the Board should provide some direction as to what they want to do based on the survey results.

The survey, developed by Sharon Yeago, was sent out in utility bills and posted on the City’s web page. Some 420 survey responses were received (260 paper and 160 online).

Specific questions asked included how citizens heard about the HSFM, where citizens routinely shop, what citizens like most and least about the market, how they feel about the variety of products available and what the shoppers specifically seek to purchase when they visit the HSFM.

Questions were also asked about what types of educational activities visitors might like to see at the market and what, if any, price they would be willing to pay for those activities. Questions also included the responder’s familiarity with the market and how often they shopped there.

The Board tabled this item to the next meeting to give staff further time to suggest a plan of action and to share the survey results with the current HSFM director.

In other CRA business, Bohannon said she has received only one application for the façade grant, but has heard from others who expressed interest. She suggested that she might extend the deadline to give more people time to respond.

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