Good News From Florida’s CRAs

The Newberry City Commission approved site plans for two concrete batch plants during a regular meeting on Monday, before confirming Planning and Zoning Board appointments and moving forward with a $125,000 purchase of property downtown to build a parking lot. The vote in favor of the Norfleet Batch Plant was unanimous. According to meeting backup documents, the 54-acre site will operate at 2802 NW State Road 45 north of the Easton Newberry Archery…

An interim agreement was executed by the Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and Walesbilt Hotel developer, Restoration St. Louis Inc. The CRA will pay Restoration St. Louis Inc. a sum not to exceed two million dollars to design and prepare the hotel for construction. The agreement authorizes the developer to implement project goals, assess…

Miami’s oldest and historic Black neighborhood is now home to one of the largest mixed-income transit-oriented developments in Miami-Dade County. County and city of Miami officials as well as project partners ushered in the new Atlantic Square, a 36-story tower which yields 616 apartment units including 320 for workforce units and 40 for affordable housing,…

They may not have a crystal ball, but part of the gig at the Lakeland Economic Development Council (LEDC) is to see what’s coming in the city’s future. Downtown Lakeland is at the center of a few major changes. Developers are working to transform the East Main District, just past the overpass by The Joinery,…

The Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce celebrated the grand opening of its new, centrally located headquarters in a new building along North Dixie Highway, drawing more than 100 local dignitaries, residents, and business people. The ribbon-cutting ceremony at 100 NW 8th St., Unit 102, in the mixed-use Sonata Rental Apartments, brings with it larger…

The Sebring Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board approved a disposition agreement with Marmer Construction for the former Bank of America building at 231 S. Ridgewood Drive. Marmer plans to move its office into the second floor of the building with the Hall of Fame Race Museum occupying the first floor. At a recent CRA Board…

A family-owned legacy project in East Tampa is moving forward after receiving a $5 million investment from the Community Redevelopment Agency, helping transform a long-held property into new housing for seniors and the local workforce. The Legacy 34th Street mixed-use development will bring a four-story, 31-unit apartment building to a vacant lot — a level…

The new $3.4 million Coral Springs Museum of Art at the Cornerstone development remains on track for a late summer opening, with construction expected to be completed in August and a grand opening planned for late August or early September. Museum officials are expected to provide an update on the project during a Board of…

Young Tampanian Achieves Dream of Homeownership The City of Tampa is highlighting the life-changing impact of its DARE to Own the Dream Homeownership Program through the story of Tampa native Adrianne Harden, a fifth-generation resident who recently achieved her dream of homeownership at just 25 years old. Harden closed on her first home in February, after receiving…

Plant City commissioners have approved a $250,000 matching grant to help restore the Bing Rooming House Museum, which is still recovering from major flooding caused by Hurricane Milton. The museum, owned by the Improvement League of Plant City CDC, has been undergoing cleanup for the past 19 months. William Thomas Jr., president of the organization,…

The Salvation Army plans to construct a warehouse building on its property at 3135 Kenilworth Ave. in Sebring, next to its thrift store. A design review application for a 4,900-square-foot metal building went before the Sebring Community Redevelopment Agency Board for approval. The proposed construction consists of a new warehouse addition to support the storage…

Big changes are coming to an aging public housing community in Lake Wales. Patrick Walker has called Grove Manor home for 35 years. Now he is watching the only neighborhood he’s known prepare for a major change. Construction is now underway to redevelop Grove Manor into affordable housing. Tampa Bay 28 reporter Rebecca Petit first…

Before the end of segregation, the Campbell Hotel was one of the only places Black people could check into in Daytona Beach. Condemned in 2023, its fate has remained uncertain, but the community is pushing hard to see it restored. Many residents want to see the hotel repurposed in a way that breathes new life…

Parramore Main Street, the City of Orlando, and Commissioner Shan Rose are celebrating the installation of new public bike repair stations in the neighborhood with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, May 29, at 11 a.m. at Z.L. Riley Park. The stations are located at three spots: Z.L. Riley Park, Callahan Neighborhood Center, and the John…

With major public and private investments underway, officials are working to turn Manatee County’s oldest city into a destination of its own, one that balances growth, tourism, and redevelopment with the charm of its historic roots. The Palmetto Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is leading several projects designed to improve the downtown area and waterfront while…

The newest plans to revive historic McCollum Hall near downtown Fort Myers include a restaurant, music venue and business center. Community Redevelopment Agency commissioners approved the concept during its Wednesday meeting. Jeffrey Mudgett, one of the partners of Parker Mudgett Smith Architects, presented the plan to the Mayor and City Council members acting as CRA…

The proposed design for Pompano Beach’s new City Hall and parking garage has cleared two city review boards, moving the downtown civic project forward while drawing sharp criticism from some residents online. The new City Hall design received approval from the Architectural Appearance Committee on May 5 and from the Planning & Zoning Board on…

Restoration St. Louis and the Lake Wales CRA have reached a preliminary agreement that will lead to the redevelopment of the Walesbilt Hotel. The agreement will be considered at Tuesday’s meeting of the CRA board. Redevelopment of the historic building, which was under construction 100 years ago, has been high on a list of goals…