Overview of West Bay Drive Community Redevelopment District back  
Date of Record: January 3, 2012

West Bay Drive Character District


History of West Bay Drive Community Redevelopment District


Recognizing the importance of a vibrant downtown, the City of Largo designated the West Bay Drive area a CRD in 1997. The original West Bay Drive CRD Plan that was enacted in 1997 was updated in 2010 to reflect a more urban vision from the community and City Commission.

The West Bay Drive Plan addresses the special assets, character and identity that make Largo unique while seeking to create a mixed-use urban environment.  The Plan reflects the community's desire to regenerate the traditional downtown and make it the center and heart of the city.  Here is the entire  2009 West Bay Drive Community Redevelopment District (WBD-CRD) Plan. 

The West Bay Drive Plan has four Character Districts below is a description of each along with the General Design Standards:

General Design Standards

Mixed-Use Corridor

Medical Arts

City Home

Neighborhood Residential


Click here to download a general brochure with more information about the West Bay Drive Community Redevelopment District.



Tax Increment Financing

Tax increment financing (TIF) is a unique tool available to cities and counties for redevelopment activities. The dollar value of all real property in the Community Redevelopment Area is determined as of a fixed date, also known as the "frozen value." Taxing authorities, which contribute to the tax increment, continue to receive property tax revenues based on the frozen value. These frozen value revenues are available for general government purposes. However, any tax revenues from increases in real property value, referred to as "increment," are deposited into the Community Redevelopment Agency Trust Fund and dedicated to the redevelopment area.

The West Bay Drive Community Redevelopment District is fortunate to have a "TIF" to provide an opportunity for redevelopment in the District.


Community Redevelopment Agency

The activities and programs offered within a Community Redevelopment Area are administered by the Community Redevelopment Agency. A CRA "Board" created by the local government directs the agency. The Board can be comprised of local government officials and or other individuals appointed by the local government. Although one local government may establish multiple CRA districts, there generally may be only one CRA Board. Each district must maintain separate trust funds, and expend those funds only in that district.


CRA Boards do not establish policy for a city or county - they develop and administer a plan to implement that policy. The CRA acts officially as a body distinct and separate from the governing body, even when it is the same group of people. The CRA has certain powers that the city or county by itself may not do, such as establish tax increment financing, and leverage local public funds with private dollars to make redevelopment happen. 

On an annual basis the Community Redevelopment Agency must provide to the State and local government agencies an overview of the year.  Below are links to download the most recent Agency Annual Reports.

Click here to download a copy of the FY 2008 CRA Annual Report.

Click here to download a copy of the FY 2009 CRA Annual Report.

Click here to download a copy of the FY 2010 CRA Annual Report.

Click here to download a copy of the FY 2011 CRA Annual Report.