Diamond Square Community Redevelopment Agency (Diamond Square CRA)

About the Diamond Square CRA
The Diamond Square CRA (Community Redevelopment Area) is located on the southern border of the City and encompasses the area bounded by Pineda Street on the west, School Street on the north, the Florida East Coast Railroad on the east, and Rosa L. Jones Drive on the south. 
 
The Diamond Square CRA, originally named Census Tract 626, was established through City of Cocoa Ordinance No. 13-98 and is governed by a 7-member board, which meets on the 3rd Monday of every month at 6 p.m. at Cocoa City Hall located at 65 Stone Street in Cocoa Village.

Redevelopment Agency Board Rules and Procedures

The Agency shall consist of the seven (7) members who reside or are engaged in business in the corporate limits of the CRA per Section 163.357 Florida Statutes.  All members shall serve four (4) year terms and are renewed by City Council majority at the end of their term.  The CRA members follow the Florida Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees (Part III of Chapter 112, Florida Statutes).


Diamond Square CRA Board Members
Agency Chairperson - Tracy Moore
Agency Vice Chair - Delores Martin
Agency Member - Ed Jones
Agency Member - Sylvia Thomas
Agency Member - Marilyn Ross-Smith
Agency Member - Jackie Isom
Agency Member - Larry Brown (District County Commissioner Designee)

​Diamond Square 2020 Meeting Schedule

February 3
March 16
April 13
May 18
June 15
July 13
August 17
September 21
October 19
November 16
December 14


Façade Grant


The Diamond Square Community Redevelopment Agency administers matching grants up to $10,000 for qualified properties through the Commercial Façade Improvement Program.
 


Diamond Square CRA Accomplishments

Since 2014, the Diamond Square CRA has been active in completing many of the redevelopment projects listed in the Plan Update. Pursuant to F.S. 163, Part II (the Community Redevelopment Act of 1969), a Redevelopment Plan is necessary to undertake and carry out community redevelopment activities within the CRA.

The Redevelopment Plan identified project activities that potentially could be completed before the CRA sunsets in 2032. To date, the following projects have been, or are nearing completion in 2020:

· Façade/signage improvements through grants
· Demolition and acquisition of the Ritz Condominium property on Rosa L. Jones Drive
· Down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers
· Funding for improvements at Diamond Square CRA parks
· Funding for community policing efforts with the Cocoa PD and Cocoa PAL
· Funding for youth mentoring programs through ANR
· Funding for land acquisition and site preparation for Habitat for Humanity to build homes
· Purchase of bus stop benches and trashcans throughout
· Planting of trees and installation of lighting throughout the CRA to promote an eco-friendly and safe environment
· Acquisition of the old Skyview Trailer Park site and its conversion to a stormwater pond and
homes for Female Veterans
· Drainage improvements on Catherine Court and Donley Street as well as on Bernard Street to
Railroad Avenue
· Peachtree Street Complete Street Project (creating neighborhood gateways with the Diamond
in the Square design)
· Stone Street Reconstruction Project (creating neighborhood gateways with the Diamond in the
Square design)
· Construction of the new Dr. Joe Lee Smith Community Center

The projects listed above were funded in part with City, Local, State and Federal funds. These
projects are the catalyst to continuing the economic growth of the Diamond Square CRA and the community.