A new funding approach may breathe new life into historic Goldsboro, located in the center of Sanford.

SANFORD, Fla. – Cities across central Florida that have seen and felt change face the same challenge: How do they revitalize struggling communities?

The solution for revitalizing Goldsboro, a historic district in the center of Sanford, might be a new initiative designed to reinvest the community’s tax revenue directly back into Goldsboro.

Sanford’s director of economic development, Brady Lessard, believes this initiative is long overdue. Our News 6 team caught up with him in the historic district prior to his presentation of what is being referred to as a “CRA hybrid” to the city commission on Monday.

A typical “CRA,” or Community Redevelopment Agency, involves allocating increased property taxes from a specific area for exclusive use in that same area. This creates a dedicated funding mechanism for redevelopment, which has shown success in places like downtown Sanford.

“It’s worked exceptionally well over the years, resulting in numerous infrastructure enhancements and attracting many businesses,” said Lessard. “However, the current local and state government climate has shifted. CRAs are no longer favored, and there’s talk they may be phased out. So, what we’re proposing is a non-traditional — yet somewhat traditional — CRA.”

Lessard explains that the “non-traditional” financial model conceived for the Goldsboro community will enable them to circumvent some bureaucratic hurdles. He collaborated with the property appraiser’s office to tailor the program to the unique needs of the smaller community, ensuring that funds are allocated for improvements.

“We realized we were working with two separate maps. So, we consulted the community, asking, ‘How do you define Goldsboro?’ Given that considerable growth has occurred since its founding in 1891. We believe we’ve crafted an ideal map that accurately reflects the community and supplies us with a wealth of data to implement this plan,” expressed Lessard.

Goldsboro was founded in 1891 by William Clark, the brother of Joe Clark, who founded nearby Eatonville. It would be the second-oldest African American city in the United States if it kept its charter like Eatonville. Instead, in 1911, Goldsboro was absorbed into the city of Sanford when the mayor at the time dissolved the charter.

“I’ve seen Goldsboro at its highest peak,” said Kenneth Bentley, who has called the community home for his whole life.

Kenneth Bentley walked with our News 6 team through the streets of Goldsboro Monday where he pointed out memories of the town he grew up in.

“Both sides of the street, barber shops, hair salons, something we called ‘juke joints’ where you could go and drink a beverage,” said Bentley. “We had one landmark. It was called the icehouse. It has been replaced with Top Kids Christian Academy, but the icehouse was where all the truckers would bring their trucks to get them hosed down with ice. Goldsboro was a first stop if you were going down south with celery or cabbages or oranges, and you know, you got to keep them cold.”

Bentley said today the community needs this “CRA” plan to survive.

“We have to have this,” said Bentley. “We need a shot in the arm to revitalize the past, and once we revitalize the past, we’re going to make sure it holds on for the future. We’ve got some younger people that are excited about the new growth.”

If the city commission gives its approval, Lessard says they’re looking to create a “Goldsboro Redevelopment Entertainment and Arts Tract” where the community tax dollars would be used for special events and other improvements that celebrate the history and culture of Goldsboro.

“What we’ve discussed is everything from celebrating the culture, the music of Goldsboro to the art of Goldsboro,” said Lessard. “But also, this was a very, very vibrant commercial corridor in years past. It’s fallen into a little bit of disrepair. This program will allow that relaunch of a once vibrant community. We’re hoping to see very, very rapid results.”

Bentley is hopeful the program will ensure both preservation and economic growth for Goldsboro’s future.

“If you build it, they’ll come,” said Bentley. “They’re coming. They go to the Villages. They go to historic downtown Sanford. Guess what? They’re coming to Goldsboro.”