Fort Myers is one step closer to reaching its high-tech aspirations. And officials are moving fast to help transform the historic railroad depot into a regional technology hub in the heart of the city. During a special meeting on Monday afternoon, the city council voted 5-0 to approve a 40-year lease with the Southwest Florida…
DetailsPaper or plastic? It’s an option most shoppers have. But if one Florida house bill passes, that choice will be eliminated for coastal communities. “I think it’s a really good idea,” shopper Barbara Hubbard said. “We are using more and more paper bags and people are also getting the bags they use over and over.” House…
DetailsEven though homelessness in America’s cities continues to decline, food banks and pantries are still being stretched thin as the number of people seeking emergency food assistance climbs, according to a survey of mayors from 38 of the nation’s cities. The number of people seeking emergency food assistance increased by an average of 2% in…
DetailsThe Orange Avenue Apartments may look to be in good condition. But the units are tiny and connected by an out-dated system of lead pipes that often burst when faucets are turned on. Redevelopment is overdue, according to the Tallahassee Housing Authority. Potential developers are being considered to create a master plan to bring new life…
Details100 of Central Florida’s most influential people weigh in with their own predictions for 2030. Read the predictions here.
DetailsInevitably it seems that rivers are one of two things to a city: either a vital, vibrant artery stitching it historically together (think the Seine through Paris, the Sumida through Tokyo, or the Chicago River through the downtown Windy City), or an industrial, black water pipeline which, decade after decade, sacrifices a thriving, walkable waterfront…
DetailsLast year, Port Tampa Bay officials were excited to show off sleek, new designs featuring a $1.7 billion urban vision of a futuristic Channelside in downtown Tampa. Renderings showed 75-story high apartment and condo buildings surrounded by parks and a much bigger cruise terminal. But Thursday, Port Tampa Bay officials unveiled a farther-reaching master plan…
DetailsThe city of Cocoa could see some serious upgrades in the coming months — not only to its streetscapes, but to its foodie and manufacturing scenes as well. A taco pub, a Texas-style barbecue restaurant, expansive Wal-Mart distribution center and Flying J gas station are among the most prominent additions coming to the city, said…
DetailsThe Ybor City Development Corporation (YCDC) today announced the launch of a new, redesigned version of its website, www.yborcityonline.com, in addition to its new campaign, “More in Ybor.” The site was created to promote Tampa’s National Historic Landmark District’s growing assets, complimented by a catalog of stunning photographs taken by local photographer Gabriel Burgos. Key…
DetailsConstruction is under way on a $5.6 million storm water project that will transform 8 acres in downtown Tavares into a park complete with wooden bridges and lush landscaping atop man-made ponds designed to treat storm water runoff before it discharges into Lake Dora. The stormwater treatment park, known as The Ruby Street Stormwater Improvement…
DetailsDon Paight, who led Fort Myers’ redevelopment efforts for the past three decades, has joined commercial real estate brokerage firm CRE Consultants. As executive director of the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency, Paight was instrumental in spurring nearly $1 billion worth of new private and public investment into the city’s downtown redevelopment area. Read the…
DetailsThe city will reconsider its intent to revitalize Downtown along East Bay Street by adding more publicly owned real estate to its scope and nullifying a redevelopment proposal from Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan that was approved 19 months ago but never acted upon. At the request of the mayor’s office, the Downtown Investment Authority…
Details