Boca Has Big Ambitions for Changes to Downtown

Boca Raton has ambitious plans for a new downtown government complex—perhaps with private money. City council members authorized $300,000 for a consultant that will offer recommendations about the area that includes City Hall, the police station, the tennis center, and other city-owned property on or near Northeast Second Avenue just north of Palmetto Park Road.…

Bradenton Redevelopment Agency Drives Forward with Freebee

During the September 28, 2023 Board meeting of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) of the City of Bradenton, The CRA voted unanimously to enter into a public-private-partnership with Freebeeproviding free micro-mobility-on-demand service. Three vehicles will provide point-to-point service within the Downtown, Tamiami Trail, and Central redevelopment areas. Bradenton CRA residents and business customers may begin…

Florida DOT Grant Helps Tampa Streetcar Stay Fare-Free

The Florida Department of Transportation has awarded a $700,000 grant to the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) to permit the TECO Line Streetcar to remain fare-free for an additional year. The streetcar has routinely logged ridership records since FDOT awarded HART a $2.7 million Innovation Grant in 2018, enabling the streetcar to be fare-free and increase frequency and…

New Brick Street Will Dress Up Park Avenue

The multi-million-dollar reconstruction of Park Avenue is proceeding close to schedule, as evidenced by the hard-working crews who have been seen laying the thousands of bricks that will eventually form the surface of the new street and parking spaces. The new high-quality clay-brick pavers were selected as the most durable and traditional surface for the…

Take 5: Five Questions with Jessica Newman

Take 5: Five Questions with Jessica Newman

Jessica Newman Wauchula Community Redevelopment Agency Director Q: What is your best piece of business advice for a new FRA member? Jessica: My best piece of advice is to have patience with perseverance. Redevelopment can take time. There will be setbacks and unexpected obstacles; however, your work will make a lasting change and will be…

Take 5: Five Questions with Clarence Woods

Take 5: Five Questions with Clarence Woods

Clarence Woods CRA Manager, CRA – City of Fort Lauderdale Q: What is your best piece of business advice for a new FRA member? Clarence: Be collaborative and develop relationships with members in your area of business as well as those across different areas and disciplines. Sometimes relationship capital is just as important as financial…