Broward County OKs Margate CRA Extension to 2047

by David Volz June 13, 2025

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{City of Margate}

The Broward County Commission approved an extension of the existing Margate Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) until September 30, 2047, during its meeting on June 10, however, it will remove all county funding.

The CRA was scheduled to end on August 13, 2026. On that date, the county will stop contributing Tax Increment Funding (TIF) to the CRA.

This is money that would have been generated back to the city from county property taxes had there been ongoing development on the 50 acres that the CRA has accumulated and now plans to build a mixed-use development.

Mayor Arlene Schwartz said she was disappointed that the county would stop contributing because the city could not develop the city center land due to an eight-year lawsuit, which it won. Under CRA policies, this money is used to remediate slums and blight. Funding also comes from the city and the North Broward Hospital District, according to the CRA website.

“We were on hold for eight years and could not generate any income for the city or the county from our land. I wish they would have extended their contributions to the CRA,” said Schwartz.

Other commissioners were pleased with the extension. Commissioner and CRA Board Chair Anthony Caggiano stated that it will enable more projects to be completed. “Things are starting to come together on the downtown project, and we will be able to increase the size of the downtown,” he said.

By allowing the CRA to continue, Caggiano believes that more improvements will be made to the city, especially in areas that need updating.

Vice Mayor Antonio Arserio said he is glad the county granted the extension because it means the CRA will be able to oversee the downtown development.

The CRA plans and implements redevelopment and economic development activities within its district, as described in the Community Redevelopment Plan.

On August 13, 1996, the Broward County Commission adopted a resolution delegating authority to the City of Margate to create a Community Redevelopment Area (CRA). On October 2, 1996, the Margate Commission created the CRA through a city ordinance. The city commission adopted the CRA plan in September 1997, and the latest redevelopment plan update was approved in January 2017, according to the city website.

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David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.