Good News From Florida’s CRAs

BRADENTON — A $16 million building once occupied by the Bradenton Herald is being torn down. This week, a demolition company will begin taking down the two-story building at 102 Manatee Ave. W. that was once home to the Herald’s newsroom, sales force, administration and printing plant. Under a permit issued by Bradenton, Graber Excavation…

TALLAHASSEE — State money for several projects in Central Florida, including $15 million for the University of Central Florida downtown campus, vaporized Tuesday as Gov. Rick Scott vetoed $461 million in spending before signing the budget. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer described the governor’s decision to veto UCF funding as “extremely disappointing, because [Scott’s] mantra is…

DAYTONA BEACH — An oceanfront hotel and condominium project, which could be the biggest in the beachside’s history, probably won’t be opening its doors for at least another three years. But those who’ve been watching to see when things will get moving on the $130 million venture should see some visible progress next month, when…

There could be a much different future in how Winter Park protects its past. The city’s Historic Preservation Board is pushing changes to the way Winter Park creates historic districts and designates historic homes. The board has drafted a proposed ordinance to make those changes. But the effort — and the board itself — is…

Citing concerns about operational legalities and hostility from a board member, Gail Alsobrook resigned last week as executive director of the Port St. Joe Redevelopment Board. Her resignation was accepted on a 3-2 vote (Commissioner Rex Buzzett and former Mayor Mel Magidson dissenting) during the PSJRA’s monthly board meeting. Alsobrook  has served two separate terms…

DAYTONA BEACH — After nearly a year of little visible progress, the planned $812 million development across from Daytona International Speedway is reawakening with new efforts to woo big-name shops, restaurants and hotels — including a Marriott that just cemented its commitment. New leases are being negotiated and infrastructure work could be in full swing…

A $43 million proposal submitted by Miami-based developers to build a hotel and residences on Pensacola Bay waterfront property downtown is about $22 million less than a plan they presented in January. Dated June 8, 2015, the Community Maritime Park proposal from MCM-BAP, LLC, is for an $18 million, 120-room hotel on parcel 4 and…

It could just be an office building. But indications are that Baptist Health Care would like the redevelopment project it is considering at its Moreno and E streets headquarters to be more. The hospital’s project, which is in the preliminary planning phase, is being thought of as catalyst for injecting new economic and social life…

PORT ORANGE ­— City officials will break ground today on more than $1 million worth of improvements to its riverfront, including a canoe and kayak launch on the Halifax River. Riverwalk Park will be built a few blocks north of Dunlawton Avenue, and this phase of construction will include the canoe launch, a trailhead facility…

The panhandle city of Lynn Haven offers young families a balance of affordability and quality. The median home value of $182,800 is 18% below the top 10 average of $223,930, and more than a quarter of households are families with children. Lynn Haven was first settled in 1911, and the downtown around Main Street has…

A recent morning in downtown Tampa could not have been more perfect had city boosters photoshopped the whole thing. Sunlight bathed the tall shiny buildings as people walked and jogged the newly opened ribbon of Riverwalk, following its curves along the edge of the city. A leashed beagle stopped to socialize with a setter. People…

THE ISSUE: Inverness CRA expansion. OUR OPINION: Approval promises to make Inverness even better. The foresight of Jim Sanders converted open pastures into the development of Sugarmill Woods, known for its unique natural greenbelt.  Stan Olsen’s imagination transformed an abandoned limestone quarry into a world-class golf course. And the farsightedness of Sam Tamposi created the Villages of Citrus Hills, that’s among…

Should the city of Jacksonville get into the property management business? That’s really what the city would be doing by creating a land bank, an idea being championed by Councilman Bill Gulliford as a way to turn blighted properties from derelict sites to property gems, from civic eyesores to eye-catching developments. Gulliford’s idea could hold…

TALLAHASSEE — Florida legislators late Monday night completed work on a new state budget, securing $29 million for two major construction projects at the University of South Florida and rejecting a third. In an avalanche of spending deals ratified shortly before midnight, lawmakers agreed to give $17 million to USF to move the Morsani College…

The city of Gainesville is considering making part of northwest Gainesville a new Community Redevelopment Area, and on June 25 the public will have a chance to learn more about this process during an informational meeting. To address blight as well as other issues, local governments can create CRAs. Tindale-Oliver and Associates was hired by the…

DAYTONA BEACH — When Danielle Kaeufer opened her medical supply company on Orange Avenue, friends wondered why she chose Midtown. “Why are you going there?” Kaeufer, who owns Daytona Peoples Medical Supply, recalled being asked. “People didn’t understand. They were afraid to come into the area.” With some encouraging and convincing, customers eventually began coming.…

LAND O’ LAKES — Every day, Elizabeth Villanova drives past a series of vacant buildings and eyesores that dot the 7-mile stretch of U.S. 41 between the State Road 54 intersection and her home in Connerton. She’s waited eight years for things to improve. When they didn’t, she and other Land O’ Lakes residents asked…

ZEPHYRHILLS — The Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Area neighborhood cleanup program will hold its first one-day cleanup from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 25, according to CRA Director Gail Hamilton. The first cleanup will be in the areas between Sixth and 12th avenues and Seventh and 20th streets. Those participating in the cleanup campaign…

The City of New Port Richey is seeking “Statements of Qualifications” from professional firms to provide assistance in amending the City’s sign regulations. The scope of work to be performed includes the drafting of amendments to the sign regulations in the City’s Land Development Code, ordinance preparation and presentations to the Land Development Review Board…

On June 9, 2015, the Fernandina Beach City Commission held a special meeting to discuss  partnering with the Amelia Island-Fernandina Beach-Yulee Chamber of Commerce to support the Florida Main Street Program. The vote was 4 – 1 on the motion to have the city attorney prepare a resolution of support for the June 16 regular…

CRYSTAL RIVER — A project intended to revitalize Crystal River’s downtown is one step closer after city officials approved a three-year budgetary pledge on Monday. Members of the of the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) — who also sit separately as the city council — approved $104,212 to be allocated the Florida Main Street Program…