SARASOTA – A building boom unlike any the city has seen in almost a decade could soon be underway in Sarasota’s urban core. Some two dozen potential developments in or adjacent to downtown’s Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) are in some stage of construction or planning — and many are stalled projects from the housing bubble of…
If all goes according to plan, Homestead’s somewhat forlorn downtown will get a $60 million facelift in the next decade or so, with a new city hall, police station, library and parking garage, and a restored Art Deco movie theater. In addition, there is talk of building a 556-foot observation tower, akin to Seattle’s Space…
LAKE ALFRED | The downtown business district in Lake Alfred is getting closer to hav ing long-desired signs to help guide people around both sides of the business corridor. The City Commission will be asked to choose a sign design and accept proposed sign locations when it meets at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Since U.S. 17/92…
VENICE – Business and city leaders regard Venice’s vibrant downtown shopping district as their city’s centerpiece. If downtown experiences an economic decline, they believe the consequences will be felt citywide. That is why City Council member Emilio Carlesimo says he wants a public discussion about the concept of a “community redevelopment area” for downtown. When…
MOUNT DORA — A mound of dirt and a handful of shovels lay in the middle of the historic downtown area where city officials, residents and merchants joined Mayor Cathy Hoechst today in a ground breaking ceremony to kick off phase two of the streetscape construction project. The $3 million construction effort calls for updates…
ORLANDO, FL, (May 6, 2014) – on March 18, 2014, a strategic vision plan created by VHB for an East Town Center District in central Florida was adopted. FRA member VHB, a national planning, design and engineering firm, has its Southeast headquarters in Orlando. The East Town Center Strategic Vision Plan study area is 47…
Florida Brownfields Association Applauds Legislature’s Passage of Brownfield Legislation April 30, 2014 – The Florida Brownfields Association (FBA) applauds the Florida Legislature’s passage yesterday of new Brownfield legislation designed to further the cleanup and redevelopment of Brownfield sites, create jobs, and improve Florida’s communities. The legislation will soon be sent to the Florida Governor. “The…
AUBURNDALE | City officials want more restaurants, multifamily residences, offices and manufacturers downtown, and they’re willing to pay. Over the past 12 years, the city has been sprucing up its downtown with the help of its Community Redevelopment Agency. The focus has been on maintaining the area and making aesthetic improvements. Now, the CRA is…
ST. PETERSBURG — On a budget, the City Council will have to decide which parts of St. Petersburg’s coastline are worth including in long-term plans. Last month, the city contracted with AECOM, a Los Angeles-based global consulting firm that worked on Vision 20/20 to develop the city’s land use regulations, to devise a similar plan for…
Tallahassee’s Community Redevelopment Agency on Thursday swapped property with Florida State University in a move officials said would benefit efforts to develop Cascades Park and the Civic Center. The CRA unanimously accepted transfer of the Firestone Building and the Bloxham Annex along East Gaines Street from FSU in exchange for a 5.3 acre lot next…
SPRING HILL — Although it may be difficult to imagine today, 25 years from now Spring Hill’s original town center — Kass Circle — could be full of thriving businesses, green spaces, bike paths and a community center. At least that’s the picture University of South Florida professor Trent Green painted Wednesday evening for about…
LAKE WORTH — Near the corner of Second Avenue North and North H Street, 9-year-old Aida was getting her hand painted by an AmeriCorps volunteer, just after she had run around the new shiny playground. When asked if she had fun at the new park, she answered, “Yes!” with a big smile, nodding her head…
