During the January 14 meeting, the CRA Executive Director, Cale Curtis, announced that the CRA had signed a $200,000 contract with R2R Demolition to demolish the old Country Haven motel, Motion Elevator, a triplex apartment building, and the former Prince of Peace church building. These buildings occupy land within the City Center plan. CRA chair Anthony Caggiano said he…
A Sebring Circle Park Drive property was granted an extension to utilize a $10,000 grant for the renovation of a former pottery shop. At a recent CRA Board meeting Audrey Ausciutto asked for a three-month extension of a Downtown Revitalization Grant saying it shouldn’t take that long as they are coming toward the tale end…
1/15/26 FRA Newsletter Highlights: 2026 FRA Annual Conference Date! FRA Award Showcase: Town of Lake Park CRA Redevelopment FRA Member News clips from: City of New Port Richey CRA, Sebring CRA, High Springs CRA, Fort Myers CRA, Riviera Beach CRA, Lauderdale Lakes CRA, and more linked articles Job listings: Assistant Director – Main Street DeLand…
The city of New Port Richey’s Community Redevelopment Agency is moving forward with plans to encourage the construction of two coastal cottage homes in the Edgewater Gardens subdivision. The city currently owns three lots — which will be converted into two parcels — near the corner of Garden Drive and Edgewater Drive. At the Jan.…
A proposed luxury hotel and apartment complex near the Edison Ford Winter Estates has sparked debate among Fort Myers city council members over zoning changes and development density along the historic McGregor Boulevard corridor. Developer Mark McLaren of KLM Development presented plans for what he calls “River District West” during a city council workshop on…
The project sign went up Monday morning on the vacant lot on North Ridgewood Drive in Sebring where Sadie’s Place will be built and right away a passerby, Debbie McGuire, commented that it looks like the Journal Plaza in Lake Placid. X-Urban Construction co-owner Ken LeBlanc, and his construction manager Joe Martin, erected the sign…
The High Springs Community Redevelopment Agency on Thursday reviewed three business items and explored a new proposal aimed at strengthening the connection between the city’s popular natural springs and its downtown core. During the Dec. 11, 2025, meeting, the CRA heard a presentation outlining a potential free shuttle service that would transport visitors between several…
Over the holidays, the Fort Myers Mural Society installed murals on the obelisks flanking Edwards Avenue that recognize two early female pioneers, Tootie McGregor Terry and Dr. Ella Mae Piper. Tootie McGregor Terry left the greatest imprint of anyone on the early development of Fort Myers. She changed the topography of the town by convincing…
Palmetto recently earned national recognition for using environmental remediation to turn a contaminated wasteland into a community park. What was once a contamination site from railroad operations, Connor Park opened in 2023 after nearly a decade of collaborative work. In August, the $3.8 million project won a Phoenix Award from the Environmental Protection Agency, an…
City of Orlando staff presented updates on upcoming projects listed in the DTO Action Plan. They say that funding comes from the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). David Barilla, who is part of Orlando’s Downtown Redevelopment Board and CRA, says the plan is to make downtown a walkable city. “We wanted to make sure that we…
Kissimmee city commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday evening to renew the contract for a free downtown ride service that has seen significant ridership growth since its launch in 2023. The city’s contract with Freebee, a microtransit service that offers free rides in Tesla Model X vehicles throughout downtown Kissimmee, was up for renewal at a cost…
The City of Sanford, in partnership with the Sanford Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), is excited to announce a new collaboration with Retail Strategies to provide virtual, no-cost, on-demand Small Business Support training for small, locally owned businesses throughout the City of Sanford. This innovative support program offers business owners convenient access to self-paced training videos,…