LEESBURG — Leesburg’s Economic Director Mike Rankin worked in Branson, Missouri, for 14 years — back in the days, he said, when the waterfront area was “desolate and the least utilized location.” It has since been filled with retail locations, restaurants, hotels and a convention center. Rankin said he sees a parallel between Branson’s former…
TAMPA — Last year, two doctors pitched an unusual project to Hillsborough County officials. Drs. Gogi and Renuka Ramappa, husband and wife, wanted to build 20 apartments next to single-family homes and trailers on a quiet street in Carrollwood. It looked dead on arrival. A team of planners said the project didn’t meet guidelines. Neighbors…
A.J. Brockman, co-founder and curator of The Brewhouse Gallery in Lake Park, is off to a fast start in raising money to revitalize the Kelsey Theater on Park Avenue. So far, the digital artist has raised $27,611. View the story in The Palm Beach Post.
Think how long it has been since the St. Petersburg City Council voted on a hot July afternoon in 1986 to take a leap of faith and build a domed stadium in hopes of attracting a Major League Baseball franchise and rejuvenating a dying downtown. It was a risky bet on the future by a…
As a downtown Lake Worth resident for nearly 25 years, I am neither a fan of unbridled growth nor a fan of “Lake Worth should just be a dune.” I spent a decade in sales/marketing with two national hotel chains, and I’ve always felt this little gem called the Gulfstream Hotel was such a missed…
The Marlin Hotel, once a hangout for Jay-Z, Pharrell Williams and Aerosmith, unveiled its new look Wednesday. Gone is the Caribbean-hip vibe that British fashion designer Barbara Hulanicki brought to the Marlin when it was owned by Island Records founder Chris Blackwell, and the spare style that replaced it after Blackwell sold the hotel in 2004.…
STUART — The city is expected to move ahead with growing its redevelopment area, over the strong objection of Martin County. “I think the main thing is to get over any inertia and get going with it, which is what the commission most likely will do,” Mayor Jeffrey Krauskopf said. Preliminary vote on the redevelopment…
You’ll be greeted by a new sign when driving into Boynton Beach now. The city’s Community Redevelopment Agency spent about $240,000 on new entry signs for the city and landscaping on Federal Highway. Eventually, the signs will be illuminated at night. Read full article
NEW PORT RICHEY — A Pasco County city focused on growth is saying no to a particular kind of store in downtown. The New Port Richey City Council recently voted in favor of a new ordinance that would prohibit convenience stores from opening downtown. “We think convenience stores are a deterrent to traditional businesses in…
The site of the old Medical Center Clinic building near downtown Pensacola has a new owner, but it may not yield the kind of redevelopment opportunity neighbors had envisioned. Redevelopment of 1750 N. Palafox has been a challenge. It has been eyed as a spot to add to the housing or rental market stock in…
The new Bonita Springs branch of the Lee County Library will be located in city’s downtown section, following an agreement reached Tuesday by city and county officials on the placement and general design. County officials agreed to the city’s request to put the library downtown, rather than building a new facility at the current site on Pine Avenue. Read…
NEW PORT RICHEY — Some big changes are coming in 2016, says City Manager Debbie Manns. First and foremost, is the Sims Park Grand Reopening Celebration, which is coming 12:30 p.m. Jan. 30, Manns recently told the audience at Greater New Port Richey Main Street Lunch and Learn. The park has been closed since June. The…
