When it comes to fitness, it all starts with a strong core. The Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is following that strategy with its Restore the Core initiative, which it calls “a commitment to restore, reinvest in, and re-energize the heart of our community.” Through Restore the Core, the CRA will use feedback from Lakelanders to update…
The Fort Myers City Council on Nov. 3 approved an interlocal agreement with Lee County to continue operating the free seasonal trolley routes serving the downtown River District. Routes 500 and 505 will run from Nov. 20 through April 22, 2026. The total cost of $711,867 will be funded by a $355,933 Florida Department of…
The Ocala City Council will review a nearly $3 million incentive package for the revitalization of the Hotel Marion property in downtown Ocala, including the waiver of building permits and impact fees, the donation of a $1.25 million parking lot, and the payment of a $650,000 grant over five years. During its regular meeting on…
After a 3-year-long battle over who would operate the historic Sunset Lounge in West Palm Beach, the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is now in charge after it decided not to negotiate any longer with Vita Lounge, and the venue is set to finally open next week. A spokesperson with the City of West Palm Beach…
Lakeland’s Community Redevelopment Agency is inviting residents to an open house on Thursday, Nov. 6, to help revamp its visions for Downtown, Midtown and Dixieland. “Restore the Core” is a yearlong project to modernize the plans that guide investment in Lakeland’s three redevelopment districts. When: 6 to 9 p.m. Where: RP Funding Center, Lake Hollingsworth Room (near Entrance 2),…
The City of Kissimmee announced late last week it has expanded its Residential Property Improvement Program (RPIP) to include the Vine Street Community Redevelopment Agency (VSCRA) and updated it for the Downtown Community Redevelopment Agency (DKCRA), enhancing support for local homeowners. Additionally, a Department of Justice grant will provide $750,000 to fund six new sworn…
The Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency voted Jan. 13 to authorize the CRA executive director to enter negotiations with the Clearwater Urban Leadership Coalition (CULC) for a lease and development agreement to create a mini container-village on four adjoining parcels at the northeast corner of North Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Tangerine Drive. CRA assistant…
The Pompano Beach City Commission is preparing to authorize up to $137 million in long-term financing for construction of a new City Hall and parking garage, a centerpiece of the city’s ongoing downtown redevelopment. The proposal, to be discussed at a special joint meeting of the City Commission and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) on Wednesday,…
The City of Tampa’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) took home four top honors at The Planning Commission’s 43rd Annual Planning & Design Awards last week. The annual event recognizes projects that enhance quality of life, strengthen economic development, and preserve the region’s natural and historic assets. This year, the Tampa CRA was recognized for its…
Just a few short years ago, the historic heart of Overtown, Miami’s original Black neighborhood, lay desolate and lifeless just steps from Biscayne Boulevard and downtown. There were few if any shops, few homes, not a single grocery store, but lots of vacant lots, the result of decades of demolition, disinvestment and abandonment. Today, the…
Port St. Lucie City Council voted unanimously Oct. 20 to approve first reading of ordinance 25-67, which authorizes the mayor or her designee to execute a stadium operating agreement with the City of Port St. Lucie Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and Ebenezer Stadium Operations LLC for a 6,000-seat multiuse stadium on a portion of the…
Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves plans to move ahead with a now $10.3 million “Reimagine Palafox Street” project, if the City Council approves using additional funds. The city had previously budgeted $9 million for the project, but the winning bid for the project came in over budget, and with additional “soft costs,” the total overage the…
The Tallahassee Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) voted unanimously on Thursday to spend $5 million to install a wide walking trail, sidewalks on both sides of the street and roadside trees on S Meridian Street. The CRA is overseen by the city commissioners and mayor, though it’s legally a separate entity from the City of Tallahassee.…
The Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Fort Myers has approved two rebates for major developments. One is a home ownership project in Dunbar; the other a downtown hotel. The city council met Wednesday as the Community Redevelopment Agency, or CRA, approved a $5.6 million rebate for Towles Garden. A developer wants to build…
The City of Lakeland is proud to announce the launch of Restore the Core, a comprehensive initiative aimed at updating the plans for the Dixieland, Downtown, and Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) districts. As part of this effort, the Lakeland CRA has contracted with three consultant teams to undertake a gap analysis of the redevelopment…
The Martin County Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has been recognized with 2nd place in the 2025 Great Places in Florida People’s Choice Award, presented by the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA Florida). This year’s competition celebrated communities across Florida that exemplify planning excellence, placemaking, and meaningful public engagement. Through an open nomination…
The companies proposing redevelopment of Camino Square, near downtown Boca Raton, are seeking major changes, including building a pair of eight-story residential towers instead of the three-story buildings previously sought for the project. The proposal will be reviewed at Tuesday’s meeting of the Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency at city hall. The application, submitted by…
Restoration St. Louis has been selected as the preferred company to restore the Walesbilt Hotel. RSL was chosen over a competing proposal from the Blackmon and Adoniades Families, a St. Petersburg-based alliance of two operators who control scores of hotel and residential properties across west central Florida. In a 5-0 vote, the Lake Wales Community Redevelopment…
In the heart of Boynton Beach, what was once vacant land for more than 15 years, is now transforming into a new neighborhood that city leaders hope will redefine affordable homeownership. The Cottage District development is part of a citywide effort to make living in Boynton Beach more attainable for working families — teachers, nurses,…
A vacant lot in Downtown Fort Myers has taken on a new life as the city’s first-ever pocket park. Nestled in between the Franklin Shops lives the pocket park, located at 2208 First St. The park, named “Common Ground,” is the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)’s latest public work investment into the neighborhood. A…
City commissioners unanimously approved a boutique hotel and retail development Oct. 7 to fill a long-vacant downtown lot that has sat empty for 17 years. The Tarpon Registry project, proposed by Infill Studio managing partners Casey Smith and Joe Harrington, will bring a 10,000-square-foot, two- or three-story building with 12 to 24 hotel rooms and…