04/20/2026 Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes April 20, 2026
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
e I
Meeting Minutes
Monday, April 20, 2026
1 :00 PM
Main Library - Council Chambers
Community Redevelopment Agency
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City of Clearwater
Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes April 20, 2026
Roll Call
Present 3 - Chair Bruce Rector, Trustee Allbritton, Trustee Teixeira, Trustee Ryan
Cotton, and Trustee Michael Mannino
Also Present: Jennifer Poirrier— City Manager, Alfred Battle —Assistant City
Manager, Owen Kohler— Interim City Attorney, Rosemarie Call — City
Clerk, Nicole Sprague — Deputy City Clerk, and Jesus Nino — CRA
Executive Director
To provide continuity for research, items are listed in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
1. Call to Order— Chair Rector
The meeting was called to order at 2:21 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 Approve the minutes of the March 2, 2026 CRA meeting as submitted in written
summation by the City Clerk.
Trustee Teixeira moved to approve the minutes of the March 2, 2026
CRA meeting as submitted in written summation by the City Clerk.
The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3. Citizens to be Heard Regarding Items Not on the Agenda — None.
4. New Business Items
4.1 Present New Vision Behavioral Health, Inc. as the April 2026 recipient of the Business
Spotlight Program.
New Vision Behavioral Health, Inc., located within the Willa Carson Health &
Wellness Center at 1108 N Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., provides counseling
services that support the mental and emotional well-being of individuals in the
North Greenwood community.
Founded by Zaneta Ellison McGraw, LMHC, the practice was established to
serve communities where access to behavioral health services is essential.
Through a client-centered approach, business helps individuals navigate life's
challenges while promoting resilience and long-term wellness.
Video Link: CRA Buine Sotlight Video: New Vision Behviorl Felth
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Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes April 20, 2026
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STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
2.1 Strengthen public-private initiatives that attract, develop, and retain
diversified business sector.
3.1 Support neighborhood identity through services and programs that empower
community pride and belonging.
CRA Specialist Tasha Hadley provided a video presentation.
4.2 Accept a proposal for the redevelopment of 706 N. Missouri Avenue from St. Benedict
Holdings, LLC and authorize CRA staff to negotiate an agreement for development,
purchase and sale of property with said entity.
The City of Clearwater was notified on July 1, 2025, by the State of Florida that
the property at 706 N. Missouri Avenue would be conveyed to the city at no cost.
The property transfer was made official on August 18, 2025. The property was
subsequently transferred to the Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency
on January 26, 2026, to position the property for sale to facilitate use and
development consistent with the North Greenwood Community Redevelopment
Plan.
On February 22, 2026, in accordance with Section 163.380, Florida Statutes,
the CRA provided public notice of the disposition of the Property through
publication in a newspaper of general circulation within the community and
invited proposals from private developers and other interested parties to
redevelop or rehabilitate the Armory site.
Proposals were due on March 24, 2026, and required, at a minimum:
1. A purchase price offer of at least $2,000,000;
2. A description of the project, including size, appearance, and proposed
uses;
3. A financial presentation, including sources and uses of funds, the project
budget, and projected employment, including the number of jobs and the
median annual salary; and
4. A detailed development schedule, including acquisition and construction
timelines.
The public notice resulted in one proposal from St. Benedict Holdings, LLC (an
affiliate of Yo Mama's Foods, which is headquartered within the NGCRA). The
proposal has been reviewed, determined to be responsive, and found to meet
the minimum requirements, including the required purchase price.
The proposal includes a $2,000,000 purchase offer and proposes the adaptive
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City of Clearwater
Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes April 20, 2026
reuse of the existing Armory building and site to support the expansion of Yo
Mama's Foods' operations, including warehouse, logistics, and light
manufacturing uses, along with job creation and increased taxable value within
the NGCRA.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the CRA Board of Trustees:
1. Accept the proposal submitted by St. Benedict Holdings, LLC as
responsive to the public notice and compliant with the minimum
requirements; and
2. Authorize CRA staff to negotiate with St. Benedict Holdings, LLC for a
development, purchase and sale agreement and any associated legal
instruments.
Upon completion of negotiations, a development, purchase and sale agreement,
along with any other associated legal instruments, will be presented to the CRA
Board of Trustees for final approval at a subsequent meeting. If this agreement
is approved, the CRA may thereafter transfer fee simple ownership of the
property to St. Benedict Holdings, LLC.
Pursuant to Section 163.380(1), Florida Statutes, the purchaser and its
successors and assigns shall be obligated to devote the real property only to
the uses specified in the community redevelopment plan and may be required
to comply with such additional conditions as the CRA deems to be in the public
interest, including the obligation to commence required improvements within a
reasonable time.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A at this stage. Final financial terms will be presented for approval as part of
the development, purchase and sale agreement.
STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT:
North Greenwood CRA Plan:
Goal 1: Public Safety (p. 93): Activates an underutilized site and contributes to
reducing conditions associated with blight.
Goal 3: Poverty Reduction (p. 93): Supports job creation, workforce
development, and increased access to employment opportunities.
Goal 5: Quality of Life (p. 94): Enhances community vitality through
reinvestment and improved economic activity.
Redevelopment Policies (pp. 94-95): Advance the reuse of publicly owned
property to support economic development and private investment.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
2.1 Strengthen public-private initiatives that attract, develop, and retain
diversified business sectors.
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City of Clearwater
Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes April 20, 2026
2.2 Cultivate a business climate that welcomes entrepreneurship, inspires local
investment, supports eco-friendly enterprises, and encourages high-quality job
growth.
3.2 Preserve community livability through responsible development standards,
proactive code compliance, and targeted revitalization.
CRA Executive Director Jesus Nino shared pictures of the site and said
that 89 individuals attended the North Greenwood Citizens Advisory
Committee's special meeting on April 15, 2026. The Committee
unanimously passed a motion recommending the CRA Trustees reopen
the solicitation period to allow for additional proposals to be submitted
and considered.
Applicant Representative Katie Cole and Applicant David Habib provided a
PowerPoint presentation.
Seven individuals spoke in support.
Eleven individuals spoke in opposition.
In response to questions, Mr. Habib said if the item before Council is not
approved, the distribution plant would remain in Chicago, limiting the
company's ability to grow and expand in the future. Relocating the
distribution plant to Clearwater would mean more jobs in Clearwater. He said
he has been working on this matter for six years, continuing 30 or 60 days
would impact the business. He said he was part of the North Greenwood
Steering Committee before the CRA was formed and appreciates the
neighborhood's passion, but they too have not approached me during the
past nine years the company has been in business. He wants to work
together to create economic development,job creation and reduce
poverty in North Greenwood. He said he looks forward to working with the
North Greenwood community to achieve the goals envisioned by the
CRA and identifying the organizations the community wishes the
company to partner with. Mr. Habib said workforce development is still
part of the company's plan and includes internship and employment
opportunities for North Greenwood residents. Ms. Cole said the RFN
outlines the minimum requirements but additional council requirements,
such as a deed restriction for use or property renovations, are expected.
She said requirements related to internships should be addressed in a
separate agreement. Mr. Habib said he is not looking to demolish the
Armory site as it provides additional expansion space. The team is
committed to Clearwater and wants to stay in the North Greenwood
community.
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Community Redevelopment Agency
Meeting Minutes April 20, 2026
Discussion ensued with support expressed to continue building the
momentum Yo Mama's Foods has created in the community.
Trustee Allbritton moved to accept a proposal for the
redevelopment of 706 N. Missouri Avenue from St. Benedict
Holdings, LLC and authorize CRA staff to negotiate an agreement
for development, purchase and sale of property with said entity. The
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4.3 Downtown Revitalization.
A monthly opportunity for CRA Trustees to exchange ideas and address
downtown related topics and priorities.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
2.1 Strengthen public-private initiatives that attract, develop, and retain
diversified business sectors.
2.3 Promote Clearwater as a premier destination for entertainment, cultural
experience, tourism and national supporting events
5. Director's Report
5.1 Directors Report April 2026.
6. Adjourn
Attest
City of Clearwater
CRA Executive Director Jesus Nino provided a PowerPoint presentation.
The meeting adjourned at 4:37 p.m.
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