Opa-locka Community Redevelopment Agency

Opa-locka City Hall Municipal Complex

780 Fisherman Street, 4^th Floor

Opa-locka, FL 33054

(305) 953-2868

The Opa-locka City Commission established The Opa-Locka Community Redevelopment Agency (Opa-Locka CRA) in 2010 to create a framework for the redevelopment and enhancement of selected areas of the central urban district. The Opa-Locka CRA was established under the authority of Part III, Chapter 163, Florida Statutes, through the adoption of Resolution 10-8043 on April 14, 2010. On June 23, 2012, the CRA entered into an interlocal agreement with the City of Opa-Locka and Miami Dade County regarding the creation and operation of the Opa-Locka Redevelopment Area, the establishment of any new community redevelopment area or the expansion of any community redevelopment area. Get more information on the interlocal ordinances and resolutions. The Finding of Necessity [FON] Report for the Opa-locka Redevelopment Agency [CRA] Area was adopted by the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners on December 4, 2012. The Opa-locka Redevelopment Plan for the Opa-locka CRA was adopted by Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners on October 2013.

The goal of the Opa-Locka CRA is to create and implement strategies that use a combination of public and private resources to facilitate redevelopment that enhances the built environment and strengthens local economic conditions within each redevelopment district. To meet this goal the Opa-Locka CRA seeks projects that help reduce or eliminate the continuation and/or spread of blight. Individual projects and policies are supported based on the specific conditions and needs identified within the Opa-Locka Redevelopment Plan. Areas where the Opa-Locka CRA concentrates redevelopment efforts includes, but is not limited to commercial development, mixed-use development, neighborhood and housing development and improvements (with a focus on affordable housing), infrastructure, transportation, and support for promotional and special events. Funds are provided through grants and/or loans based on the funding gap of the proposed project, the projected Return on Investment and the community benefit.

Under Florida law (Chapter 163, Part III), local governments are able to designate areas as Community Redevelopment Areas when certain conditions exist. Since all the monies used in financing CRA activities are locally generated, CRA’s are not overseen by the State, but redevelopment plans must be consistent with local government comprehensive plans.

Boundaries/Service Area

The boundaries of CRA are generally bounded on the north by NW 151st Street, on the west by the Opa-locka Executive Airport, on the south by the Tri-Rail/CSX railroad corridor, and on the east by a freshwater lake managed by the South Florida Water Management District. The 514-acre CRA will cover approximately 18 percent of the City’s total area. The CRA’s boundary was finalized according to important considerations involving zoning, land use, and redevelopment opportunity. The CRA contains a range of geographically distinct land uses. In effect, it may be seen as a group of five primary districts:

Magnolia North
Magnolia Gardens
Downtown/City Center
Opa-locka Industrial area
LeJeune commerce areas

OCRA Board of Directors

The City of Opa-locka Community Redevelopment Agency Board is composed of seven board members, the five members of the Opa-locka City Commission and two appointees from the Board of County Commissioners of Miami Dade County, one appointee from District 1 and District 2. Their term on the Board of Directors is equal to their term in office as a Opa-locka City official, or appointees are based on their appointment/reappointment by County Commissioner’s subject to their term in office. The OCRA Board is under the leadership of Chairperson Jannie Russell-Appointee for District 1. The OCRA Board members are:


Jannie Russell Appointee for Miami-Dade County District 1	Matthew Pigatt Board Member	Veronica Williams Board Member	Chris Davis Board Member	Sherelean Bass Board Member	John Taylor Jr. Board Member	Rose Tydus Appointee for Miami-Dade County District 2

OCRA Staff

John E. Pate	City Manager \| OCRA Executive Director, October 2019-present
Corion DeLaine	City Planner \| Interim OCRA Manager
Gregory Gay	B&L/PCD Director \| Advisor to the OCRA
Gerald Lee	PCD Zoning Official \| OCRA Staff Member
Kinshannta Hall	PCD Administrative Assistance \| OCRA Board Secretary

CRA Documents

Annual Reports

Operating Budgets

Meeting Minutes

CRA Meeting Minutes

CRA Projects and Programs

2020 Opa-locka CRA Small Business Renovation Grant (Facade Improvement)

Business owners in the City of Opa-locka CRA area, we are kicking off our first round of the 2020 Small Business Facade and Property Improvement Grant Program. We are excited to be able to help our small business during these trying times.

Applications will be available July 6th - September 30th // AWARDS ARE UP TO $15,000

To qualify for business property improvements, you must meet the following criteria:

1. You can be the owner of the property or a business owner renting space/location.

2. Proof of ownership (if owned by a corporation, provide copy articles of incorporation)

3. Copy of current County business tax receipts is required. If occupancy is pending renovation of the building, then a copy of the occupational licenses certificate application or a bonafide executed lease will be sufficient.

4. Proof of property taxes paid on property proposed for rehabilitation.

5. Insurance documentation, if applicable.

6. Business must be located in the City of Opa-locka CRA area see below:

Please contact Marcia Grant at marcia@olcdc.org for additional information or visit the Opa-locka CDC website.