The Vision of the Newtown CRA Redevelopment Plan: to create and maintain a safe community with financially stable and prosperous residents, a thriving "main street" corridor, diverse housing options, and a positive brand centered on the celebration of the area's history and cultural arts.
To take responsibility of studying conditions in the City of Sarasota, Florida and making recommendations to the City Commission pertaining to any actions necessary to improve conditions in the City, including implementation of the provisions of Part III, Chapter 163, Florida Statutes (the "Redevelopment Act").
The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) for the City of Sarasota’s Newtown Community Redevelopment Area, containing approximately 838 acres, was established in June 2006 by City Resolution 06R-1901, and the Newtown Community Redevelopment Plan was approved via a separate resolution in May 2008 by City Resolution No. 08R2037. The Newtown CRA is located in the northern part of the City of Sarasota (the City) and generally bounded on the north by Myrtle Street; bounded on the south by 17th Street; bounded on the west by the North Tamiami Trail (US 41); and bounded on the east by the City limits.
The 2020 Newtown CRA Plan Update builds on the City’s 2002 Redevelopment Plan—created with A.A. Baker Associates and community input—and the 2008 Newtown Community Redevelopment Plan, which in 2006 expanded the original Downtown CRA to include Newtown. Designed to guide revitalization efforts over a 14-year timeframe, the plan focuses on enhancing business corridors, fostering business development, expanding festivals and events, and cultivating arts and entertainment clusters. The 2020 update provides targeted recommendations for allocating CRA tax-increment funding (TIF), stipulating that only projects included in the plan are eligible for TIF support.