A four-parcel lot in Fort Myers with two commercial buildings could soon find new life as a 16-story residential complex. Meet Vantage Lofts. According to the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment (CRA), the community will offer more than 200 lofts, along with 5,000 square feet of retail space. Plans also call for a low-rise parking garage…
Beneshea Frazier Program Manager, Economic Development Central Florida Regional Planning Council Q: What is your best business advice for a new FRA member? Beneshea: “Get out of your comfort zone and engage with your colleagues. The academy courses and annual conference are great opportunities to grow your network and leverage the expertise of your peers…
It’s tough to tell whether the notion of a Margate downtown is rewrapped in a different packaging or if elected officials this time can really pull it off. Since the mid-1990s the crossroads of State Road 7 and Margate Boulevard have been targeted for mixed-use development, to no avail. City commission after city commission has…
In Orlando’s tourism district, forces are at play that don’t normally coincide. Rosen Hotel workers are learning English taught by University of Central Florida (UCF) instructors in a pilot program paid for by Orange County government. That public-private partnership with the three big players in Central Florida is “what really truly makes this a unique…
Marjorie Waldo, president & CEO of Arts Garage in Delray Beach, announced that the nonprofit organization is extending the popular comedy series, The Art of Laughter 2023, presented the first Friday of every month in collaboration with The Comedy Zone. “Arts Garage is thrilled to partner with The Comedy Zone, the largest comedy club network in America,…
Bargain hunters who head to the Swap Shop — the unusual decades-old shopping destination in South Florida — may start seeing its surrounding neighborhood spruced up with a string of redevelopment projects. Lauderhill is eyeing properties around town, preparing to buy real estate, bring in food markets for lower-income areas and clean up a deteriorating…
Over the past 10 years, nearly 1,000 new residential units have emerged in Longwood’s historic downtown district. Not only have an influx of people moved into the area, particularly around the city’s SunRail station, but the overall downtown area has seen a boost in foot traffic lately. After the city redeveloped Reiter Park in 2017,…
Mayor Kevin Anderson and members of his team gave a wide-ranging report on Fort Myers post-Hurricane Ian progress at a gathering of local commercial real estate professionals. “We’ve got a lot of great things in the works. And I think this is just the beginning. As devastating as the hurricane was, I think we’re going…
The developer of Cornerstone stands to get $11 million to $17 million for building the complex in downtown Coral Springs, officials said this week. Officials explained that the money would go to the master development company, Predeso Property Investments, from the additional tax revenue expected from the spike in the value of the property on…
Florida has made national news in the past two years for its housing crisis. Due to rising home and rent prices, many residents have experienced difficulties securing safe and affordable housing within Palm Beach County. In response to the local housing crisis and demand for attainable housing, the Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (BBCRA) looks…
Brenda Thrower President-Elect, FRA Board of Directors Economic Development Specialist II, City of Tampa, Ybor City CRA Q: What is your best business advice for a new FRA member? Brenda: “As a new member, I would get involved and take advantage of what the FRA has to offer. I would attend the annual conference, participate…
The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency and the Fort Myers Police Department unveiled its new Utility Task Vehicle (UTV) as part of its security measures in downtown Fort Myers. The new UTV is assigned to the Fort Myers Police Department in partnership with the Fort Myers Community Development Agency (CRA). Officers will use the UTV…
