Serving DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee and Polk Counties

The Central Florida Regional Planning Council assists communities within our region to implement community redevelopment efforts. Our expertise includes the development of Finding of Necessity Studies, the creation of Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRA’s), and the drafting and adoption of Community Redevelopment Plans that are consistent with Florida Statues, the local Comprehensive Plan, and the communities’ unique needs and vision.

City of Bartow Community Development Plan Update

Meetings and Workshops

Initial Project Kick off Meeting, June 14, 2013

Bartow, Florida - Main Street A meeting was held on June 14th, 2013 in the Central Florida Regional Planning Council (CFRPC) conference room.  Attendees included members of the Bartow Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), CFRPC staff, CRA staff, and the press.  After brief introductions and a review of the redevelopment plan update process and timeline, a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis was conducted.  Members of the CRA were asked to identify factors within the Bartow CRA boundaries and the greater community that are current strengths or weaknesses, or future opportunities or threats.  These factors were recorded by CFRPC staff and will be used to help identify trends, key issues, and perceptions within the CRA boundaries.  The time and location for a future visioning meeting with the business community was discussed and the meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:00AM.

1st Vision Meeting, July 25, 2013

A meeting was held on July 25th, 2013 in the Bartow City Council chambers.  Attendees included members of the Bartow Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), CFRPC staff, CRA staff, building and property owners within the CRA boundaries, Bartow residents, and the press.  Pat Steed, CFRPC Executive Director, gave an overview of CRA’s including their purpose, history, implementation, and success both locally and elsewhere.  The attendees were then divided into 3 breakout groups.  Facilitated by CFRPC staff, the groups were all asked the same four questions:

  • Why don’t more people do business and shop in Bartow?
  • Why don’t more people who work in Bartow also live in Bartow?
  • What are Bartow’s greatest assets?
  • What is your great idea for a project that will make a difference for the City and the CRA?

The group facilitators reported the key issues identified in within their groups to the rest of the attendees.  Finally, interactive voting devices were utilized by the attendees to answer a variety of questions concerning blight, land use, and other factors that impact redevelopment and CRA’s.

The meeting was dismissed at approximately 10:00AM.

2nd Vision Meeting, October 1, 2013 – 6:30pm

A meeting was held on October 1st, 2013 at the Polk Street Center in the West Bartow Neighborhood area.  Attendees included members of the Bartow Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), CFRPC staff, CRA staff, Bartow residents, and the press.  Pat Steed, CFRPC Executive Director, gave an overview of CRAs including their purpose, history, implementation, and success both locally and elsewhere.  The attendees were then divided into 2 breakout groups.  Facilitated by CFRPC staff, the groups were all asked the same four questions:

  • What one thing do you think would most improve your neighborhood?
  • Why don’t more people who work in Bartow also live in Bartow?
  • What are Bartow’s greatest assets?
  • What is your great idea for a project that will make a difference for the City and the CRA?

The group facilitators reported the key issues identified in within their groups to the rest of the attendees.  Finally, interactive voting devices were planned to be utilized by the attendees to answer a variety of questions concerning blight, land use, and other factors that impact redevelopment and CRA’s.  However, due to technical difficulties the responses to the questions were recorded by a show of hands.

Additional Information from the City of Bartow

City of Bartow CRA Website

Contact Information:

Eric Labbe, AICP, Program Manager
863-534-7130 x106 or elabbe@cfrpc.org