Author Archives: FRAstaff

Orlando Launches “Enhanced” Downtown Ambassador Program to Focus on Persons Experiencing Homelessness

The City of Orlando’s Downtown Development Board/Community Redevelopment Agency has just announced a new “enhanced” Downtown Ambassador Program that includes new training for working with people experiencing homelessness. The Downtown Ambassador Program was launched in 2018 to provide on-the-street service for visitors and residents between the hours of 7 a.m.-11 p.m., in part to help visitors navigate…

Nearly a Century Old, Tampa Theatre Hoping for $42 Million Restoration

Jill Witecki remembers the first time she saw a movie at the Tampa Theatre. Now, it’s her job to help others fall in love with the theater, which was named by the Motion Picture Association in 2013 as one of the top movie theaters in the world. The theater hopes to raise $42 million in…

North Miami CRA to Provide North Miami Residents Up to $5000 for Rental Assistance

Residential Tenants Affected by the Recent Rent Increases May be Eligible for Thousands in Financial Aid To assist North Miami residents struggling to make timely rent payments due to rent increases, the North Miami Community Redevelopment Agency (NMCRA) is accepting applications for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. This program provides qualified residents up to $5,000…

Fort Myers CRA Looking into Future Downtown Projects

The Community Redevelopment Agency is looking for ways to not only preserve what’s been accomplished but also expand and grow certain areas. The agency has hired Stantec, a company with ties to Southwest Florida, to come up with this plan. Stantec has been a part of the Colonial Square project in Fort Myers and also…

City Contributing $250K to $1M Bowman Center Redevelopment Project

City commissioners have agreed to contribute $250,000 towards a $1.093 million renovation project happening at the Bowman Center, located at 501 S. Dixie Frwy in New Smyrna Beach. The scope of work, expected to be completed this summer, will include painting, roof repair & replacement, awnings & canopies, exterior doors & windows, landscaping & irrigation,…

The Redevelopment Of Clermont’s 8th Street Pier Will Be Discussed March 8

Clermont’s perfect location along the beautiful shores of Lake Minneola and at the midpoint of the Florida Coast-to-Coast Trail (C2C), the proposed project includes the enhancement and redevelopment of the 8th Street area. Florida’s C2C Trail spans approximately 250 miles and links the varied communities between St. Petersburg and Titusville, allowing multimodal users to enjoy…

South St. Pete Businesses, Startups have New Resources

Entrepreneurs in the South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) can soon apply for city funding to bolster their small business, startup or “side hustle.” The Microfund Program begins in April after over six months of development and will also provide licensing information, mentorships and educational services to increase business acumen. The ultimate goal is to ensure…

West Palm Beach GreenMarket Returns for 2022-2023 Season

The West Palm Beach GreenMarket will return on Saturday, October 1, 2022 as the “Best Farmers Market” in the U.S. The event will be held every Saturday on the Great Lawn (100 N. Clematis Street) from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. through April 15, 2023. This year’s theme, “Sweet Success,” was inspired by the market’s…

Pensacola to Offer Paid Summer Internships for Youth Ages 16-24

The City of Pensacola will offer paid internship opportunities for eligible youth ages 16-24 through the City of Pensacola Summer Youth Intern Program. The city said internships are available in a variety of city departments and promote career development while providing paid on-the-job work experience. The Summer Youth Intern Program will run from Friday, June…

Lakeland’s Newest Retail, Mixed-Use Development Breaks Ground

Right now, it’s little more than a 22-acre dirt lot. But, in a year’s time, Lakeland residents will see brick and mortar, signaling the city’s first major redevelopment project in years and the next step in the revitalization of Lakeland’s Downtown West corridor. After breaking ground earlier this month, developers of Lake Wire, the new retail…

City of Tampa Invests over $3 Million to Make Parks More Inclusive

The Tampa City Council and the Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency are investing over three million dollars to make local parks and playgrounds more inclusive. The focus is on children with disabilities. “People who have disabilities have a tendency to be lonely anyways. They are different. I consider it and we talk about it a lot…

Major Step in Revitalizing Downtown Williston Completed

The City of Williston’s Community Redevelopment Agency has completed a major phase in plans for downtown revitalization. This phase included renovating a city-owned “arcade” or walkway from Main Street to the back of the businesses, creating a community park off of NE First Avenue, and giving the participating businesses on Main Street a facelift. The…