Community Redevelopment Agency Fund

The City of Stuart Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is a public agency that was created by the City Commission on May 12, 1986, in accordance with the provisions of Florida statutes. The CRA was re-established, and a Redevelopment Trust Fund was created in 1998. The Community Redevelopment Area contains 692.7 acres of land, which comprises approximately 20% of the city.

The mission of the Stuart Community Redevelopment Agency is to plan for a sustainable economic future while protecting and enhancing the unique character of the city. The CRA oversees projects such as infrastructure, funding assistance programs and economic development. Supported by the Community Redevelopment Board (CRB), Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board, residents, business owners, and other stakeholders, we continue to promote our historic downtown and foster revitalization of identified districts and expanded downtown area through public investments to improve infrastructure and aesthetics, resulting in an inviting area that will attract a critical mass of residents to accelerate business and visitor growth. We need to maintain the appeal of Downtown Stuart while ensuring local businesses can achieve and sustain economic vitality. We are committed to executing our redevelopment plan and vision and direction of our Board.

The goals of the City of Stuart Community Redevelopment Plan are to achieve the following objectives:

1. To provide an analysis and identification of opportunities available in development terms. Identifying short, mid and long-term priorities in which to achieve the implementation of the Community Redevelopment plan.
2. To ensure the City of Stuart CRA sustains economic viability and competitiveness.
3. To create building forms of a character and scale which complement the City’s existing mix of architectural styles, scale and form.
4. To create attractive pedestrian and bicycle friendly streets complimented by building forms and enhanced by artistic pieces, acting as a strong link between the different neighborhoods.
5. To promote mixed uses throughout the CRA in accordance with urban codes, and where commercial activity is desirable and encouraged.
6. Implement a coordinated effort to design complete street sections that convenient parking in discrete locations, while promoting and supporting transit alternatives.
7. Improve the public’s understanding of the CRA mission, accomplishments and community assets through public outreach efforts and marketing.
8. To continue to attract and retain a diverse range of businesses including restaurants, boutique hotels, retail and knowledge based and high-tech industry.
9. To provide a document that works as a tool to effectively communicate the benefits of the CRA.
10. To create an economic development strategy and plan that provides details on how to achieve the CRA objectives.
11. To promote development incentives to encourage acceleration of redevelopment and new development activity of both housing and commercial projects within the CRA.
12. Enhance the social offerings and high-quality social spaces that integrate arts, music and culture through creative initiatives.
13. Facilitate the emergence of compact development within the CRA where people of all ages will live, work, shop and be entertained.
14. Improve the circulation for bicycles and pedestrians within the downtown and connect people to key destinations.
15. Continue to improve the micro transit service and mobility options for citizens within downtown.

The Community Redevelopment Area’s unique assets include waterfront recreation, entertainment, tourism, and its small-town charm. The City of Stuart is focusing on attracting new office, fine dining and family orientated restaurants, entertainment, and hotel accommodation to ensure maximum community enjoyment. Working together as a community is paramount in the implementation of the CRA Plan goals and objectives.