FORT PIERCE — A strip of land developers have offered the city in exchange for publicly owned property at Fisherman’s Wharf would come with a potential thorn in the city’s side — a historic home in the middle of the tract. The city wouldn’t be able to sell, lease or develop the property as one…
Right outside the Starbucks on Southeast First Street, a metal rooster sits on a metal pole about 15 feet in the air, its mouth open as if crowing to people desperate for their morning coffee. Nearby, on Southeast Second Place, a large metal stag rests against the wall outside Persona Vintage Clothing & Costumes, almost…
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer The plan to build a hotel next to Palm Beach County’s convention center in downtown West Palm Beach has cleared its final hurdle. Assistant County Administrator Shannon LaRocque said Monday that all of the construction contracts have been signed by both the county and the developer. In a largely ceremonial…
ST. PETERSBURG — While the Tampa Bay region is considered the heart of Florida’s independent brewing scene, St. Petersburg has no craft breweries to call its own. After years of planning, working with city officials and searching for the right space, though, three breweries plan to open downtown this year. The friendly competitors will appeal…
TAMPA — The mayor wants more people living downtown. The developer wants prime real estate for a residential project. The Straz Center wants more parking and office space. All three might get what they want after Mayor Bob Buckhorn and the developer behind downtown’s Skypoint and Element towers agreed today to terms on the sale…
If former Miami Beach vice mayor Robert Turchin had been a Miami decision maker during the recent vote that decided the fate of The Miami Herald building, he would probably have voted with the ‘nays’ allowing its demolition. “There’s nothing special about it,” says the 90-year-old Turchin as he cruises Collins Avenue between 63rd and…
Request for Qualifications The South Miami Community Redevelopment Agency (“SMCRA”) is requesting Letters of Interest and Qualifications concerning the design and construction of a mixed-use, affordable housing redevelopment project in the City of South Miami Community Redevelopment Area generally located just south of SW 64th Street, between SW 59th Place and just West of SW…
The Lake Dora waterfront will not have 60-foot-tall buildings anytime soon. Following a public hearing attended by several hundred people Thursday night at the Mount Dora Community Building, city officials have decided that allowing building heights of up to 60 feet at the lakefront wasn’t a good idea. Many residents shunned the idea, and two…
The public contributions of the library and fire department were forever married Friday when the new Downtown Pensacola Library opened with a wing dedicated to the memory a fallen firefighter. About 200 elected officials, other dignitaries and members of the public gathered at the newly renovated and expanded 51,000-square-foot facility. The library, located at the…
ST. PETERSBURG — Walking around the historical former YMCA building downtown, local music promoter Thomas Nestor doesn’t seem to notice the crumbling brickwork or rusted iron. Stepping over the dusty, rubble-strewn floor, he pitches his plan to transform the building into an interactive music museum to potential investors and curious locals. The cavernous old gymnasium…
Discount Package for 2013 FRA Conference Sponsor or Exhibitor We are offering a 20% discount to any sponsor or exhibitor that signs up and pays for a booth or package by January 31, 2013! 2013 FRA Sponsor Exhibitor Packet
Stormwater demonstration at top of new CRA wishlist December 15, 2012 With the city council now in control of the Community Redevelopment Agency, it has to decide what their priorities are, and those are just now starting to come into focus. Acting CRA Executive Director (and city manager) John Szerlag presented a transition plan to…
City studying possible redevelopment areas By Susan Latham Carr Published: Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 10:05 p.m. Last Modified: Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 10:05 p.m. The city of Ocala will be studying targeted areas largely along major gateway corridors to determine if those locations could qualify as a Community Redevelopment Area, which provides a…
The Florida Festival and Events Association (FFEA) Workshop Jan.10, 2013 LEESBURG — The Florida Festival and Events Association (FFEA) will host a workshop for event planners focused on increasing event revenues through sponsorships and social media. The event will take place on Thursday, Jan. 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Leesburg Center…
Small businesses embody the spirit of innovation, entrepreneurship, and individual initiative that made this country prosperous. Today, small businesses represent the survivors of some of the most challenging economic times in decades and are the innovative leaders of continuing progress. However, as Florida recovers, the small business community is disproportionately struggling to obtain the necessary…
Vacancies down as businesses flock to Fifth Avenue South By KRISTINE GILL Posted December 13, 2012 at 5:25 a.m. Neapolitan Dwight Nadeau wanted to be close to the action when he launched his first business. So he rented a space on Eighth Street South, between the south parking garage and Fifth Avenue South. He opened…
Sebring CRA picks Hinote as director By Robin Hinote Published: December 12, 2012 Updated: December 12, 2012 – 2:13 PM SEBRING — Robin Hinote gets to remove a word from her title. Hinote, who was selected as the acting executive director after Pete Pollard retired in February, was given the permanent job on Monday. “The…
City to ‘re-set’ CRA to spur growth By Angela Daughtry, News-Leader City commissioners, after listening to recommendations from the city’s CRA Advisory Board, conceded Tuesday that the base year of the special taxing district should be reset. They also agreed repairs should be made to the railroad crossings at Centre and Ash streets to improve…
CRA working on Millville grocery By ZACK McDONALD / The News Herald December 8, 2012 PANAMA CITY — Residents of Millville can expect a new community grocery — provided the owner can find “willing bankers,” according to Community Redevelopment Agency officials. “We’re trying to get it (Millville) to be an attractive place for investment again,”…
Mayor embraces downtown improvement report Hayward says it would be premature to decide DIB’s fate Written by Nate Monroe Dec 7, 2012 In remarks at a Friday news conference that mirrored the pro-growth theme he has trumpeted since his election two years ago, Mayor Ashton Hayward embraced a new report on policy proposals and recommendations…
‘Entertainment district’ would change Sarasota noise ordinance By Jessie Van Berkel Published: Friday, December 7, 2012 at 7:19 p.m. Last Modified: Friday, December 7, 2012 at 7:19 p.m. SARASOTA – For the first time in a decade, downtown condo dwellers and the musicians and business owners who work below them have banded together to change…