The Economic Development Department is recommending adoption of a resolution by the Orlando City Council designating a site owned by Braddish Realty Corporation as an Orlando Economic Enhancement District (OEED) site pursuant to Florida Statute 376 (FS 376).  The site is approximately 13.029 acres in total, generally located south of Hoffner Avenue, east of Conway Road, and west of State Road 436 as shown on attachment "A".  In November of 2002, the Orlando City Council approved a Downtown Economic Enhancement District (DEED)/Downtown Model Resolution, pursuant to FS 376.  The State of Florida established the Brownfields Program to assist local governments with redevelopment projects.  The State Brownfields Program provides economic incentives and resources to property owners, businesses and local governments to redevelop designated brownfield sites and/or areas.  In order to receive the program incentive(s), a site or area must be designated a brownfield.

Notification of the City’s intent to adopt a resolution was placed in the Orlando Sentinel on September 22, 2014, giving interested parties the opportunity to appear and be heard regarding this resolution.  A second advertisement was placed in the Orlando Sentinel on October 12, 2014.  Florida Statute requires that one of two public hearings be held after 5:00 p.m.  At the September 29, 2014 meeting, the Orlando City Council voted and approved by a majority plus one vote to hold a second public hearing during the scheduled 2:00 p.m. meeting.

The State of Florida created the Brownfield Program in 1997 and authorized local governments to designate areas, targeting them for redevelopment.  The key objectives of the State of Florida program include; community economic enhancement, increased tax base and tax revenue, job creation, better utilization of community resources, improved quality of life, and environmental improvements.

The designation is recommended because it streamlines the incentive process when a project is proposed and makes the incentives available immediately to the client.  The following is a listing of incentives that become available upon adoption of the Braddish Realty Corporation Resolution, FS 376: 

·         Job creation bonus with no requirements ($2500 under the State of Florida Brownfield Program);

·         Tax credit of 35% on voluntary cleanup costs; 10% additional credit during the final year of cleanup;

·         Low interest loans for the purchase of liens, tax certificates, or other claims;

·         Risk-Based Corrective Action principles apply;

·         Sales tax credit on building materials used for the construction of a redevelopment project (residential or mixed use);

·         Up to 5 years of state loan guarantees of loan loss reserves;

·         Grants/loans available for cleanup (if applicable); and

·         Technical assistance from state university system.

Upon adoption of the resolution, Braddish Realty Corporation will be able to qualify for various applicable incentives under the Brownfields program. 

Orlando Drum and Container Corporation (ODC) is the business located on the project site and has operated there for over 30 years.  Earlier this year, ODC and Braddish Realty completed a change in ownership.  A resolution from the City is necessary in order for Braddish Realty to negotiate a Brownfields Site Rehabilitation Agreement (BSRA) with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to expedite on-going cleanup of contamination on the property. 

The owners of ODC have made a significant investment in acquiring the business and property.  However, the existing environmental concerns are complicating the business’ efforts to redevelop the property.  When clean up is complete, Braddish Realty has plans to redevelop the west side of the property to expand its plastics recycling and plastics distribution divisions, resulting in creation of at least 10 new jobs.  As a growing and well-funded business with no current debt, ODC has sufficient resources to implement and complete site rehabilitation and redevelopment of the property.

The proposed redevelopment is consistent with the City's comprehensive plan and is a permittable use under the land development code and future land use designation for the site. 

The project is consistent with the State's objectives for the Brownfields program, which include community economic enhancement, increased tax base and tax revenue and job creation.