Weekly FRA Newsletter: March 19, 2026

3/19/26 FRA Newsletter Highlights: 📢 Call for Sessions – 2026 FRA Annual ConferenceDeadline extended to Friday, March 20, 2026Conference dates: October 20-23 | Sunseeker Resort, Charlotte Harbor 📚 CRA Board TrainingSign up now 👥 FRA Member Spotlight OpportunityMembers can submit a “Why Join the FRA” quote plus headshot to Merrily Bennett 🎓 FRA Academy Elective…

Legislative Update 3-18-26

The legislature adjourned Sine Die on Friday at 3:15 pm without completing the 2026-2027 state budget. Throughout the 2026 Legislative Session, tensions between the House and Governor, and House and Senate, dictated the pace and tone of work in Tallahassee. The Governor, beginning mid-last year, introduced the idea of eliminating property taxes as a method…

Engineers Detail Final Rio Concept Plan

The Martin County Community Redevelopment Agency Board got its final update March 3 on the 100 percent draft of concept plans for the new community center in Rio and Dixie Highway streetscape improvements that will finally conclude expansion begun years ago. Planning and urban designers from Marlin Engineering of Fort Lauderdale and Dover, Kohl and…

Cape Coral CRA to Consider $50,000 Grant Award

Cape Coral City Council, sitting as the South Cape Community Redevelopment Agency Board of Commissioners, is expected to vote on a Breaking Barriers to Business Grant for Zuly Dental Medicine Center, LLC Wednesday. If approved, CRA Resolution 3-26 would award $50,000 to the LLC. The Breaking Barriers to Business Program “assists eligible businesses and developers…

Tallahassee Leaders Break Ground on Affordable Homes Project in South City Neighborhood

Tallahassee city and county leaders broke ground on a 17-home Community Land Trust development in the South City neighborhood, targeting income-eligible families, seniors, and veterans. Tallahassee city and county leaders broke ground on a new Community Land Trust development on Wallis Street in the South City neighborhood on Friday, unveiling a project they say will…

Tampa Officials Will Spend $6M on Franklin Street Pedestrian Upgrades by 2029

Tampa’s Downtown Community Redevelopment Agency plans to invest $6 million into transforming a one-mile stretch of Franklin Street. The work is designed to make it friendlier for people on foot. Plans call for sidewalk improvements, fresh lighting installations, green spaces, pocket parks, and restored brickwork along this corridor. City leaders will begin accepting bids for…

Weekly FRA Newsletter: March 12, 2026

3/12/26 FRA Newsletter Highlights: 📢 Call for Sessions – 2026 FRA Annual ConferenceSubmit your ideas for speakers & topics by March 13, 2026Conference dates: October 20-23 | Sunseeker Resort, Charlotte Harbor 🎓 FRA Academy – Budgeting, Funding & ReportingMarch 27 | OrlandoCore course covering budgeting, TIF, grants, cost sharing, PPPs, and CRA reporting requirements ✋…

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…