Author Archives: FRAstaff

Palmetto Park Along Manatee River Wins National Award From The EPA

Palmetto recently earned national recognition for using environmental remediation to turn a contaminated wasteland into a community park. What was once a contamination site from railroad operations, Connor Park opened in 2023 after nearly a decade of collaborative work. In August, the $3.8 million project won a Phoenix Award from the Environmental Protection Agency, an…

City Staff Present New Parks, Construction Updates For Downtown Orlando

City of Orlando staff presented updates on upcoming projects listed in the DTO Action Plan. They say that funding comes from the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). David Barilla, who is part of Orlando’s Downtown Redevelopment Board and CRA, says the plan is to make downtown a walkable city. “We wanted to make sure that we…

Kissimmee Officials Renew Freebee Downtown Ride Contract

Kissimmee city commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday evening to renew the contract for a free downtown ride service that has seen significant ridership growth since its launch in 2023. The city’s contract with Freebee, a microtransit service that offers free rides in Tesla Model X vehicles throughout downtown Kissimmee, was up for renewal at a cost…

City of Sanford and Sanford CRA Partner with Retail Strategies to Launch Virtual Small Business Support Program

The City of Sanford, in partnership with the Sanford Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), is excited to announce a new collaboration with Retail Strategies to provide virtual, no-cost, on-demand Small Business Support training for small, locally owned businesses throughout the City of Sanford. This innovative support program offers business owners convenient access to self-paced training videos,…

Finding Better Ways to Get Around Riviera Beach

Riviera Beach leaders have approved a nine-month study of how to make it easier for city residents to use public transportation. Why it matters: As Riviera Beach grows, there will be more places to go and more traffic trying to get there. What’s happening: The City Council serving as the Community Redevelopment Agency board approved…

Fort Myers Innovation Walk Moves Forward with Master Plan Development

The Edison Awards’ vision for an Innovation Walk connecting downtown Fort Myers to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates is advancing after years of planning and community engagement, according to Edison Awards CEO Frank Bonafilia and Fort Myers City Councilman Liston Bochette. The concept, which Bonafilia said originated from “the Edison Awards years of experience, incredible…

Lauderdale Lakes CRA Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program Helps Four Families Achieve Homeownership

In an exciting step forward for the City of Lauderdale Lakes, four local families have successfully purchased their new homes with the support of the Lauderdale Lakes Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). This achievement comes as part of the CRA’s Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program, an initiative designed to help individuals and families realize their dream of…

Lauderdale Lakes CRA – Trailhead Park

The Lauderdale Lakes Community Redevelopment Agency purchased a 0.22-acre property with a deteriorated building that was later demolished to make way for a pocket park. The community recognized the opportunity to design this new space – now called Trailhead Park. The park offers diverse recreational activities and enhances the existing greenway trail network. Inspired by…

The Inn at Boynton Beach Demolition Marks Major Milestone in City’s Revitalization

The Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (BBCRA) marked a significant milestone in the transformation of Boynton Beach Boulevard with the commencement of the demolition of the former Inn at Boynton Beach on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. The press-only groundbreaking ceremony, coined, “The Inn is OUT,” commemorated the clearing of the 2.11-acre property, which is prominently…