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CRA approves Apopka Police Department proposal

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Apopka plans for safe start to downtown development

From the City of Apopka Public Information Office

The City of Apopka Community Redevelopment Agency on Wednesday approved plans to create a safe, enjoyable and attractive downtown – starting with additional support from the police department.

A police officer will be assigned to downtown – part of Apopka’s central Community Redevelopment Area – to patrol the streets, coordinate security with businesses and residents, promote public safety and discourage unlawful activities. The officer will coordinate with police code enforcement to help clean up downtown properties and work with various civic organizations to address the homeless.

The goal is simple: A safe downtown is more likely to promote business and to attract visitors in the center of Orange County’s second-largest city. With enough positive momentum, the city aims to forever change the long-viewed lackluster image of downtown.

The officer assigned to the downtown district will serve hours and duties to best benefit the citizens and business owners who work, live, and visit there. This will foster a more productive community partnership to facilitate more activities downtown.

Many duties of the assigned police officer will revolve around public education, hosting crime prevention classes, supporting community neighborhood watches, reviewing home and business security and safety plans, and welcoming new residents and businesses to the Community Redevelopment Area. The officer will coordinate duties from the Apopka Police Department Headquarters, which is located at 112 E. Sixth St. in downtown.

The officer also will explore available grant programs and other funding opportunities to complement the city investment in downtown security. The Community Redevelopment Agency on Wednesday approved one year of funding - $177,875 – to support the Community Oriented Police Program.

The CRA also approved a residential renovation assistance program for $75,000. The funding will provide up to $1,000 individual grants for as many as 75 homes in the redevelopment area to create exterior building improvements and energy efficient modifications. That program will be available to the public within a month.

The residential assistance program adds to other city grant opportunities already available in the CRA including façade renovation assistance for businesses, building code assistance for existing structures and residential fee assistance for new home construction. For more about the programs, visit www.apopka.net/cra.

Apopka’s Community Redevelopment Area was established in 1993 and includes 633 acres north and south of U.S. Highway 441 in the center of the city.

The area includes the proposed city center site, which includes the existing Highland Manor banquet and wedding destination. It is targeted for a new hotel, shopping center, and park area.

The city is working to create more appealing public areas downtown with more recreational paths, scenic streets and more. Apopka recently purchased an acre of badly aged parking lot on Fifth Street – the location will be renovated with improved parking, additional lighting, and landscaping later this year.

Apopka Police Department, CRA

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