There was deafening silence from sugar executives Friday in the wake of Sen. Bill Nelson’s suggestion the government seize their land to save Treasure Coast waters from algae blooms that are suffocating sea life and forcing people to wear masks because of the stench. Representatives of Florida Crystals did not respond to emails and calls…
DetailsIt seems odd to find heroes in the middle of a crisis that has no immediate solution. Heroes are supposed to sweep in and save the day — and I don’t believe anybody is going to be able to quick-fix the punishing fresh water releases from Lake Okeechobee. But I’d like to say a word…
DetailsThe blue-green algae outbreak is dissipating in the waters near Palm Beach, according to Deputy Town Manager Jay Boodheshwar. “We’ve seen a decrease in visible algae in the Intracoastal,” he said Friday. “We haven’t seen anything south of the C-51 Canal. Everything is north.” Coastal Coordinator Rob Weber inspected sections of the town shoreline Friday…
DetailsThe city of Orlando has promised to get more than $17 million in donations to victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting by Oct. 1. The OneOrlando Fund Board, whose 15 members were also announced Friday, will hold two town hall meetings Aug. 4 “to get feedback from the victim’s families, survivors and the Orlando community”…
DetailsAt the Northwest Florida League of Cities Summer Gala, Tallahassee City Commissioner Gil Ziffer was honored with the Florida League of Cities’ Home Rule Hero Award. This award recognizes Commissioner Ziffer’s tireless efforts to advance the League’s legislative agenda and help protect home rule powers of Florida cities. Home rule powers allow local cities and…
DetailsLike most pioneers of great cities and buzzing communities, Jeffrey Ross has had an incredible career and life. Ross came to Miami by way of Los Angeles, where he first entered the restaurant industry with his critically acclaimed seafood market and restaurant, Bayshore. He sold it 10 years later to, “take a break” and freelanced…
DetailsTo encourage redevelopment on six thoroughfares in the Bradenton area, the Manatee County Commission took an initial step Tuesday by amending its long-range land-use plan to allow significant increases in potential homes per acre and square footages for offices and retail. The intent is to encourage redevelopment of declining properties, such as vacant shopping centers,…
DetailsAlthough she is not sure what it eventually will be called, Habitat Gastronomy on the Creek is the working name for the culinary park Rebecca Maddox plans for the vacant commercial lot across Haldeman Creek from her Three60 Market. “Right now, this is just a working title because it’s going to have fabulous food. I…
DetailsAny day now, Brooks Busey expects to sign a lease for a restaurant at his new development at Sadler Point Marine Center in Jacksonville’s Westside. That restaurant, which he declines to identify pending the lease, will launch The Bridge, an 18,000-square-foot former furniture and marine retail store to be converted into retail, office and restaurant…
DetailsThe final details are still being worked out, but the agreement between the University of South Florida and the city of Palmetto was finalized Monday night. The USF Community Sustainability Partnership Program asks a community what are its important projects and what can USF offer to help the community achieve its sustainable goals. It is…
DetailsA South Carolina marina group is expanding its South Florida presence with the acquisition of the long-running Fort Lauderdale Boatyard and Marina, formerly called Jackson Marine. Atlantic Marina Holdings LLC announced this week that an affiliate had purchased the approximately 10-acre marina property, at 1915 SW 21st Ave., with plans to redevelop it. County property…
DetailsNo one can say that community organizations are ignoring the needs of the Duval neighborhood of east Gainesville. They’re practically tripping over each other. In 2013, Alachua Habitat for Humanity chose Duval for neighborhood revitalization because the organization and others were already there doing home repairs, weatherization and painting, said Casey Smith, former Habitat director…
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