Chris Caputo, candidate for City Commission
Priorities & Policies
We need to focus on create physical distancing opportunities for our restaurant and venue customers by turning side streets connecting to Wilton Drive into one-way roads where appropriate, making the remaining lane usable by businesses and providing flexibility for sidewalk and parking lot service .
We must diversify the mix of businesses that make Wilton Manors great. Create incentives for "9 to 5" offices and small businesses to open in Wilton Manors, attracting foot traffic to our restaurants and retail during the day. We should focus on attracting co-working space and startup friendly office space, and I would bring forth a suggested Business Diversity Ordinance. .
We need improve foot traffic to our Arts & Entertainment district by making our streets more walkable, increasing tourism, marketing street fairs and events (when safe to do so) and increasing nearby residential density. We should streamline the process for obtaining special event permits, easing the burden on business owners and creating entertainment options for residents.
The city should expand Wilton Manor's Business Enhancement Grant and increase the grant size, offering 75% reimbursement up to $2,000 for any business that improves the exterior appearance of their business and promotes walkability on our streets by adding landscaping and/or public art installations.
Engage a volunteer or staff member to serve as the City's liaison to the business community. This ambassador should be present at business association meetings and have a clear understanding of the city's code compliance and operational procedures in order to consult with small business owners on concerns like signage, parking, code compliance, special permits, etc.
I am the most qualified candidate to address the needs of our small business community. I've been a small business owner for more the a decade, earning a Small Business of the Year Award and the endorsement of respected community business leaders. I am honored to serve on the Board of Directors for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce as well as an active member of the Wilton Manors Business Association (WMBA).
We must diversify the mix of businesses that make Wilton Manors great. Create incentives for "9 to 5" offices and small businesses to open in Wilton Manors, attracting foot traffic to our restaurants and retail during the day. We should focus on attracting co-working space and startup friendly office space, and I would bring forth a suggested Business Diversity Ordinance. .
We need improve foot traffic to our Arts & Entertainment district by making our streets more walkable, increasing tourism, marketing street fairs and events (when safe to do so) and increasing nearby residential density. We should streamline the process for obtaining special event permits, easing the burden on business owners and creating entertainment options for residents.
The city should expand Wilton Manor's Business Enhancement Grant and increase the grant size, offering 75% reimbursement up to $2,000 for any business that improves the exterior appearance of their business and promotes walkability on our streets by adding landscaping and/or public art installations.
Engage a volunteer or staff member to serve as the City's liaison to the business community. This ambassador should be present at business association meetings and have a clear understanding of the city's code compliance and operational procedures in order to consult with small business owners on concerns like signage, parking, code compliance, special permits, etc.
I am the most qualified candidate to address the needs of our small business community. I've been a small business owner for more the a decade, earning a Small Business of the Year Award and the endorsement of respected community business leaders. I am honored to serve on the Board of Directors for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce as well as an active member of the Wilton Manors Business Association (WMBA).
Housing costs and commercial rents continue to skyrocket, making living or doing business in Wilton Manors unaffordable for potential buyers or business owners. New businesses struggle to keep their doors open and a growing number of commercial strips are nearly empty and desperately in need of renovation. I support updating our development and land use restrictions in several strategic corridors so long as we maintain the integrity of residential neighborhoods.
Increasing residential density increases our tax base, which will be critically needed now due to COVID-19’s impact on our budget. Increasing our residential density will also help to support our local small businesses and help to attract a train station.
Residential real estate experts point to a coming wave of new Florida residents, driven by residents from the Northeast eager to leave behind crowded city life, high state taxes, and COVID-19 health risks. These new residents will raise our property values, add to our tax base, and fill newly built apartments and condos.
We must work actively to promote Wilton Manor's quality of life and community culture to prospective residents and share our residential development opportunities within the real estate community.
Increasing residential density increases our tax base, which will be critically needed now due to COVID-19’s impact on our budget. Increasing our residential density will also help to support our local small businesses and help to attract a train station.
Residential real estate experts point to a coming wave of new Florida residents, driven by residents from the Northeast eager to leave behind crowded city life, high state taxes, and COVID-19 health risks. These new residents will raise our property values, add to our tax base, and fill newly built apartments and condos.
We must work actively to promote Wilton Manor's quality of life and community culture to prospective residents and share our residential development opportunities within the real estate community.
The city needs to take a proactive approach to attracting more workforce and affordable housing developments like the Residences at Equality Park. Workforce housing and micro-unit rentals is critical for those on fixed and modest incomes, like our active aging population and young professionals.
Published studies have shown that building workforce and affordable housing increases nearby property values. Residents provide a significant boost to the local economy because they work, dine, and enjoy entertainment close to home year round.
I am the only candidate who has experience addressing this critical issue facing our city. As the Board Chair of the Pride Center, I worked with the Center's leadership, staff, and partners to fund the 48-unit Senior Affordable Housing Residences without requiring any financial support from the City's Affordable Housing Trust. As the Chair of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce's Affordable Housing Subcommittee, I am always working to attract more funding to Broward County for addressing our critical need.
Published studies have shown that building workforce and affordable housing increases nearby property values. Residents provide a significant boost to the local economy because they work, dine, and enjoy entertainment close to home year round.
I am the only candidate who has experience addressing this critical issue facing our city. As the Board Chair of the Pride Center, I worked with the Center's leadership, staff, and partners to fund the 48-unit Senior Affordable Housing Residences without requiring any financial support from the City's Affordable Housing Trust. As the Chair of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce's Affordable Housing Subcommittee, I am always working to attract more funding to Broward County for addressing our critical need.
Art influences our community by encouraging dialogue, instilling values and translated experiences across diverse cultural backgrounds. Art is often a vehicle for social change. A healthy arts and cultural community, with vibrant public displays of art and accessible theatrical experiences can connect us. Investing in the arts makes financial sense, attracting visitors from around the world whose tourism dollars have a significant economic impact.
The city should create incentives for "popup art studios" by helping artists rent empty commercial space on our commercial corridors – providing exposure for the landlord and artist, and attracting visitors whose foot traffic will benefit neighboring shops as well. Think Wynwood Miami!
Wilton Manors should take more proactive role in promoting tourism and events within Wilton Manors, establishing it as a Provincetown of the South, creating themed weeks around arts, theatre, families, and so forth. It is also important to streamline the process for obtaining special event permits, easing the burden on business owners and creating entertainment options for residents
The city should create additional revenue through event fees, in the same way Wicked Manors has become a revenue stream for the Pride Center while also supporting our local economy.
The city should create incentives for "popup art studios" by helping artists rent empty commercial space on our commercial corridors – providing exposure for the landlord and artist, and attracting visitors whose foot traffic will benefit neighboring shops as well. Think Wynwood Miami!
Wilton Manors should take more proactive role in promoting tourism and events within Wilton Manors, establishing it as a Provincetown of the South, creating themed weeks around arts, theatre, families, and so forth. It is also important to streamline the process for obtaining special event permits, easing the burden on business owners and creating entertainment options for residents
The city should create additional revenue through event fees, in the same way Wicked Manors has become a revenue stream for the Pride Center while also supporting our local economy.
The city should consider enacting Zero-based budgeting. Rather than just carry forward prior year budgets for any line item, Zero-based budgeting requires each expense to be justified and approved for a new year.
It’s one thing to talk about diversity and inclusion and another thing to take meaningful action. City departments should promote diversity and inclusion by creating paid internships or part time positions for marginalized populations like black and brown youth, trans individuals, etc.
The city should encourage its small business community to follow suit by making it easy for them to hire from this talent pool, sharing information about employer tax credits that exist and hold a career fair where businesses can recruit at no cost.
The city should encourage its small business community to follow suit by making it easy for them to hire from this talent pool, sharing information about employer tax credits that exist and hold a career fair where businesses can recruit at no cost.
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