CRA Continues to Make Chipley Look Better

Chipley’s Community Redevelopment Agency continued looking at options for a variety of projects at their March 28th board meeting. Topping off their list was discussion of the Strategic Plan information garnered in recent community meetings.  Surveys that were taken as part of the work highlighted the following areas of concern:  Housing  Code enforcement  Spotty Internet…

Ace Café Orlando Set for Spring Opening

Ace Cafe Orlando, the first North American outpost of the celebrated London-based motor-diner, is scheduled to open this spring. The 35,000-square-foot dining, entertainment, and retail destination, is forecast to draw over 400,000 people to downtown Orlando annually. Since 1938, Ace Cafe London has been a mecca for those passionate about cars, bikes and rock ’n…

Approve new CRA projects now, lobbyist warns

Tallahassee’s community redevelopment agency better act fast if it wants to get any new projects approved, lobbyist Ron Book warned the City Commission. “The future is not great for new ones,” Book, the city of Tallahassee’s lobbyist said at last week’s meeting. “Any projects in the pipeline … look at them very quickly.” Community redevelopment agencies,…

Quincy Main Street Earns Statewide Recognition

Quincy Main Street has been designated the April 2017 Florida Program of the Month.  Secretary of State Ken Detzner made the announcement last week. According to a press release, communities are selected based on their developmental achievements and participation in the Florida Main Street Program.  Quincy has been apart of the Florida Main Street Program…

Florida Legislators May Eliminate CRA Dollars

State legislators are considering a bill that could redirect millions of dollars earmarked for improving “blighted” local communities. The proposed bill, House Bill 13, would eliminate Community Redevelopment Agencies, governmental bodies created to promote affordable housing, economic development, health and safety in under-served neighborhoods. In a nutshell, a CRA holds on to a set percentage of the property…