The building at 417 North Massachusetts Avenue in Lakeland, Florida began its life in 1964 as the chapel of a funeral home and was last used as a house of worship in 2017, when the Freely Forgiven Community Church closed its doors and the building was sold. Local historic preservationist and Publix heir Gregory Fancelli…
It’s not your imagination: People really are flocking to Florida. The Sunshine State had the fastest-growing population in the country last year — the first time the state has taken the top spot since 1957, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates released last week. The nation’s third-largest state grew by 1.9% from July 2021 to July 2022…
As of Feb. 15, Clearwater nonprofits and service providers can now apply for $3.15 million in grants from the city’s federal COVID-19 relief funds. Earlier this year, the City Council divided the $22.4 million it received from the American Rescue Plan Act into a dozen broad categories. These categories include three grant programs to which…
Congratulations to the Margate Community Redevelopment Agency (MCRA), for winning the 2022 FRA Planning Studies Award for CRA Building Design Regulations. The MCRA Building Design Regulations both graphically and textually illustrate new design standards for developments within the redevelopment district of the MCRA. The document places heavy emphasis on pictorial images and diagrams to…
The Gaze Africana features a distinctive line-up of international Black artists and creatives, whose works represent African Excellence. Capturing “the gaze” connects us to another world – allowing us to look beyond – steadily and intently, in admiration, surprise, or thought. The Gaze Africana explores ideologies connected to African art. This deployment of contemporary Africana…
A Tesla facility in an underdeveloped St. Petersburg neighborhood announced in April is coming into the final stretch as construction wraps up. In a December interview, Rob Truett, a Delray Beach developer behind the highly-anticipated project in Lealman says the goal was to open by the end of 2022. That timing would be a nice capstone to…
Since 2016, more than 5,469 tons (10,938,000 pounds) of waste have been disposed of through the Community Redevelopment Agency’s Safe Neighborhood Program. During neighborhood cleanups, crew members and volunteers visit different neighborhoods in the county to remove a variety of debris and waste free of charge. A neighborhood cleanup for residents in North Beulah will take place…
Congratulations to the Fort Lauderdale Community Redevelopment Agency, for winning the 2022 FRA Outstanding Rehabilitation, Renovation or Reuse Project Award for the Sistrunk Marketplace and Brewery. The re-emergence of Fort Lauderdale’s Sistrunk Boulevard as a destination for entertainment and dining is being realized with projects like the Sistrunk Marketplace and Brewery. This project is…
The city of Brooksville’s Community Redevelopment Agency’s Executive Review Committee awarded a property improvement matching grant on Dec. 15 for Justin and Lina Noe, 705 Museum Court, Brooksville. The award was $20,000 to reroof; stabilize fireplace foundation; replace current apartment stairs and porch; and complete outdoor landscaping. All properties located in the Brooksville CRA district…
After decades of discussion about redeveloping downtown Clearwater, the city has made major headway in recent months that, if all goes well, should turn all that talk into action. Since the start of fall, voters have approved two major projects, a local developer with big dreams took the first step and a new Community Redevelopment…
The sound of voices of those hoping to open a cruise ship terminal to walkers, runners and cyclists amid downtown’s current and explosive growth is getting louder. But don’t expect that prime piece of waterfront to be accessible to the public when it’s not being used for cruise ships anytime soon. At a meeting of…
Marjorie Waldo, President & CEO of Arts Garage, today announced the nonprofit organization will present two fun events during the first week of January 2023: Popular cabaret star Jill Switzer will sign copies of her new helpful how-to guide The Contemporary Singer’s Blueprint: From Amateur to Professional and Beyond. The evening will start with a live…
