State Study of Special Districts TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Rick Scott sounded determined a year and a half ago when he demanded a thorough review of obscure special taxing districts that have the power to “tax, spend and incur debt at the expense of Florida taxpayers.” Scott was surprised that so many appointees who never have…
Adverse Ruling Would Significantly Undermine Downtown Redevelopment Initiatives On July 17, the Supreme Court granted certiorari in the case of Township of Mount Holly v. Mount Holly Gardens Citizens in Action, Inc. The issue before the Court is whether disparate impact claims are cognizable under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). If the Court were to…
Round Won in Legal Fight Over Proposed Development “Our view is that this is also a victory for the public,” Clauss said. “. . . overturning that lower court ruling really upheld that the public does have a right to be part of the process for land use changes. And the lower court ruling had…
Lake Worth, FL, July 1, 2013 – Dr Pepper Snapple Group (DPS) and national non-profit KaBOOM! has awarded the Lake Worth Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) a $15,000 Let’s Play Community Construction Grant as announced on June 28, 2013. The grant is part of ‘Let’s Play’, a community partnership led by Dr Pepper Snapple Group to…
Delray Beach wants to stomp out blight. But it needs help. The Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, the organization in charge of eliminating slum and blight in the city, is conducting a series of meetings to capture the community’s vision for the future. The agency is gearing up to amend its redevelopment plan — the blueprint document that…
DeLand Mayor Bob Apgar, second from left, cuts the cake with the assistance of his grandson, 6-year-old Mark Munden, while MainStreet DeLand members Janet Dixon, left, President Savannah-Jane Griffin, and members Steve Burley and Susie Macon assist. In the rear, MainStreet member Arnette Sherman, Beacon staff member Pat Andrews and Beacon columnist Tanner Andrews watch.…
BROOKSVILLE — Brooksville’s staid, conservative image is about to get an artsy boost. Come October, downtown will be transformed into outdoor art gallery, with an array of sculptures. The proposal that will create the city’s first-ever sculpture walk was unveiled Thursday at the Brooksville Vision Foundation’s monthly stakeholders meeting. The venture, which will showcase 10…
SARASOTA – One of the most ambitious real estate developments planned for Southwest Florida during the mid-2000s housing boom is moving forward again, the most telltale sign of recovery since the local economy slumped seven years ago. Kolter Group LLC’s plan to resurrect its 18-story Grand Sarasotan luxury condominium project — albeit with a new name…
On June 17, the Fernandina Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board (CRAAB) met for a “debriefing” after a work session with the City Commission and Carol Westmoreland, executive director of the Florida Redevelopment Association. Individuals attending the Monday afternoon meeting were board members Mike Zaffaroni (chair), Andrew Curtin, Lou Goldman, Debra Stephenson, Marla McDaniel, and representatives from…
TEMPLE TERRACE — City attorney Mark Connolly said it may take several meetings between city representatives and the developer to come to a resolution over Downtown Temple Terrace, presumably on how the partners can end their business arrangement without a court fight. Vlass Temple Terrace and the city agreed in a first meeting held two…
Seven parcels of land on Whitehall Street. Four lots on Wallace Street. Seven lots on Cedar Street. Three on South Street. Three on Fulton Street. These are just some of the 53 parcels of city-owned land in Midtown that city officials want to put on the market, with some lots selling for as low $1,951…
The honeymoon is over. At a Delray Beach City Commission meeting Tuesday, accusations flew after city officials in a 3-2 vote blocked the nomination of former Mayor Woody McDuffie to the Community Redevelopment Agency board. The battle was divided among seniority lines, with commissioners who are serving their last term pitted against those who took office in…
