Sunrise making push for redevelopment
Something as simple as freshly painted entry signs can help rejuvenate the city’s eastern neighborhoods. Other projects on the city’s wish list, such as a world-class medical complex that would bring jobs and tax revenues, might be more difficult to accomplish. During a workshop, Sunrise officials discussed ways to encourage investment and redevelopment in the city’s struggling areas. Read the article here.
Turning blight into a destination
Hillsborough County Commissioner Victor Crist’s “Innovation Destination” plan may be ambitious, even grandiose, but it offers a promising way to revive blighted neighborhoods in Tampa and Hillsborough County. Some areas within the community development district would be designated for tax increment financing, where any increases in property tax revenue are returned to the neighborhood for roads, drainage, street lights, police substations and other infrastructure needs. Read the article here.
Belleair demands Biltmore owners do more to protect it, or risk going to court
If the owners of the Belleview Biltmore don’t take definitive action to protect the historic landmark from further damage, the town of Belleair may take them to court. Read the article here.
County to hold meeting on proposed Mount Plymouth-Sorrento community redevelopment area
An informational meeting about the status of plans for a community-redevelopment area in east Lake will be held Thursday. Read the article here.
Alvin Brown’s downtown bill raising questions for Council about old ‘redevelopment areas’
To judge pieces of Mayor Alvin Brown’s downtown legislation, Jacksonville City Council members may need a history lesson on some past redevelopment bids. City General Counsel Cindy Laquidara told members of the Rules and Finance panels Wednesday she’s working on a white paper that breaks down any powers the council delegated away when it set up community redevelopment areas (also called CRAs) and boards to run them, something that started about 30 years ago. Read the article here.
An economic tale of two cities in Florida
Tourism will always shape central Florida’s image, but a very real, very modern economy also has emerged. Read the article here.