Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/198837
Sarasota News Leader October 25, 2013 increment" is negative. Since its inception, the Newtown CRA has needed a subsidy from the Downtown CRA for administration and any projects it wants to pursue. Page 59 But the downtown CRA is set to expire in 2016, eliminating the possibility for any further subsidy to the Newtown organization. Thus, the futures of both CRAs are linked, one of a host of issues confronting the extenBut even if the "tax increment" becomes posision study committee. tive, that CRA still would work at a disadvantage compared to the one downtown because the Fredd Atkins is an outsized figure in Sarasota, Sarasota County Commission refused to par- both physically and culturally. He was the ticipate in the Newtown CRA. The county does first African-American elected to the City participate in the downtown CRA, and this Commission and the city's first Africanyear the county's share of the "tax increment" American mayor. After serving five terms financing for that CRA is $3.5 million. on the commission, he declined to run for A map shows the area of the downtown Sarasota CRA. Image courtesy City of Sarasota