Riverfront Dining Projects Make Progress on Both Sides of the River

Multiple projects aimed at bringing new riverfront dining options to Jacksonville’s Northbank and Southbank are moving forward as part of broader downtown redevelopment efforts. On the Southbank, plans for a restaurant next to Friendship Fountain are progressing through the design phase. According to the Downtown Investment Authority, which oversees the city’s Community Redevelopment Area, the…

Bringing Oysters Back to the Manatee River

A five-year oyster restoration project in Palmetto is working to rebuild oyster habitat and improve water quality in the Manatee River using artificial reef structures placed along the riverbed. In February 2024, the city installed 380 dome-shaped “reef balls” arranged in 76 clusters along the north side of the river between the U.S. 41 Green…

Orlando Approves ‘Unlocked Open-Door’ Program to Spark Homeownership in Parramore

The Orlando City Council approved the Unlocked Open-Door Program, a housing initiative designed to increase homeownership and new construction in District 5’s Parramore and downtown neighborhoods by turning more than 300 vacant lots into single-family homes. A key component of the program is funding from the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). The city has allocated $750,000…