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A Message from Our City Manager Cameron D. Benson
 Dear
Residents,
On Tuesday, January 29th, Florida’s voters will declare their
party’s preference for President of the United States, as well as
decide the fate of a proposed amendment to the state constitution
concerning property taxes.
There
is also another important question on the ballot exclusively for
City of Hollywood voters – a question about potentially selling or
otherwise disposing of four specific parcels of City-owned property
to improve the appearance and economic viability of our downtown
corridor and for the benefit of all Hollywood residents.
The
City of Hollywood is always looking for ways to improve the quality
of life for its residents as well as to attract and retain desirable
business and commerce in our City. Your "Yes" vote supports both
those objectives.
That’s
why the City Commission unanimously voted to place this question on
the January 29th ballot and asked that I communicate the importance
of a "Yes" vote to all Hollywood voters.
The
following information will provide details about the ballot question
and provide answers to some of the questions you may have.
Please
feel free to call or email us if you have any additional questions.
Early voting is underway and your vote will make a difference. I
sincerely hope that you'll make it a "Yes" vote - a vote for
Hollywood's future!
Sincerely,
Planning for
Our Future
Downtown Hollywood – Changing for the
Better!
Downtown Hollywood
is being re-energized. New restaurants, galleries, boutique shops
and specialty stores offer Hollywood residents and visitors alike
an opportunity to enjoy historic Downtown Hollywood like never
before. Perhaps the most visible change is the ArtsPark at Young
Circle – once an underutilized park, now transformed into a
vibrant new cultural center for special events and year-round
recreational activities.
These changes are
all part of a plan—a redevelopment plan designed to enhance the
downtown area and improve the quality of life for all Hollywood
residents. A key part of that plan calls for adding more parking
and office space to attract businesses and create jobs.
The area just
northwest of Young Circle between Federal Highway and Dixie
Highway is identified in our community supported City-Wide Master
Plan as a prime area for new office and mixed-use development. It
includes four City-owned parcels that are currently underutilized,
deteriorated or vacant.
This area is
also part of the Hollywood Community Redevelopment Agency -
Downtown District, which was established in 1979 to encourage
economic development through the use of tax increment financing by
funding development, special projects and enhanced services that
address areas of community concern.
Voting "YES" on
the January 29th ballot question will allow the City Commission to
sell those properties or include them in future improvement
projects creating the potential for new office space and needed
parking.
Voting "YES" will
not only vastly improve the appearance and use of those
properties, it will also generate new revenues by adding to
Hollywood’s commercial property tax base.
Voting "YES"
supports the City of Hollywood’s plan and vision to make Downtown
Hollywood a vibrant destination all our families can enjoy today
and for generations to come.
For more
information please call (954) 921-3589.
Click on a
property in the map below to see its photo.
-
421 N. 21st
Avenue (Fire Station #5)
-
1911 Polk
Street (parking lot)
-
1810 Taylor Street
(parking lot behind post office)
-
330 N.
Federal Highway (Chamber of Commerce)
Just the FAQs
What’s the benefit of a future
sale of these City properties?
It’s part of the plan to revitalize Downtown Hollywood.
Selling these four underutilized pieces of property offers the
potential for new parking and office space to attract businesses
and create new jobs.
What does a "Yes" vote actually
do?
A "Yes" vote allows the City Commission to consider proposals to
sell the properties or include them in future improvement
projects. All proposals would have to be voted on by the City
Commission in a public meeting.
Will this affect my taxes?
Your taxes will not be affected. In fact, placing these
underutilized properties back on the property tax rolls will add
revenue and increase the city’s commercial tax base.
Where are these properties
located?
The four parcels are all located in the area just northwest of
Young Circle between Federal Highway and Dixie Highway. This area
is identified in our community supported City-Wide Master Plan as
a prime area for new office and mixed-use development. The
properties are located at:
Has the City Commission voted on
this?
Yes, the City Commission voted unanimously to place this question
on the ballot and ask voters for permission to sell.
What will happen to the Greater
Hollywood Chamber of Commerce offices?
The Chamber of Commerce is protected by a long term lease. Any
development proposal for that site would have to accommodate the
terms of that lease and include satisfactory provisions for the
Chamber.
What will happen to Fire Station
#5?
The existing fire station will be vacant early next year when
firefighters move into a new, state-of-the-art facility being
built at 1801 N. 21st Avenue, just one mile north of the current
location. The new fire station is one of the General Obligation
Bond projects approved by voters in 2004.
Click
here to view a rendering for the new fire station.
Community
Forum
A community forum for residents will be held on Thursday, January
24, at 5:30 p.m. in the Commission Chamber at Hollywood City Hall,
located at 2600 Hollywood Boulevard. Interested residents are
encouraged to attend for more information.
Ballot
Language
Here is the question as it will
appear on your General Municipal Election ballot for Tuesday,
January 29, 2008:
SALE
OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF CITY-OWNED PROPERTY
This proposal would approve the sale or other disposition, by the
City of Hollywood, of 1911 Polk Street, 1810 Taylor Street, 330
North Federal Highway, and the east half of 421 North 21st
Avenue; provided, however, the sale or other disposition would not
take place unless and until the City Commission approves the
specific terms and conditions thereof at a later date.
QUESTION
Shall these City-owned properties be approved for future sale or
other disposition?
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