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

The answer for Goldsboro, a historic area in the heart of Sanford, could be a new program that aims to reinvest tax dollars from the community back into Goldsboro.

Brady Lessard, director of economic development for Sanford, says it’s long overdue. Our News 6 team met him in the historic community before he was set to present what’s being called a “CRA hybrid” to the city commission Monday.

A traditional “CRA,” or Community Redevelopment Agency, is used to set aside increased property taxes in an area for use only in that area. Essentially, it creates a specific funding tool for redevelopment and has been successful when used in other places such as downtown Sanford.

“It’s functioned very well over the years. A lot of infrastructure improvements, a lot of businesses come into town as a result. However, the climate in the state and in Tallahassee has changed,” said Lessard. “CRAs are no longer in vogue, and there’s conversations that CRAs will go away. So, what we’ve got here is an untraditional — but traditional — CRA.”

Lessard says the “untraditional” finance tool they’ve created for the Goldsboro community will allow them to bypass some of the red tape. He’s worked with the property appraiser’s office to find the right fit for the smaller community, and the dollars that will be set aside to fund improvements.

“We were operating on two different maps. We got with the community and said, ‘What do you consider Goldsboro?’ Because there’s been a lot of growth since Goldsboro was founded in 1891. We think we’ve come up with the perfect map that shows the perfect community and gives us a launch of data to make this happen,” said 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.”