Center of Bonita Springs undergoing a facelift to attract new tenants The sounds of concrete breaking and smashing to the ground fill the air as high-reach demolition machines rip apart an old Bealls department store. The business, like many retailers at this struggling 25-year-old Bonita Springs shopping center, closed years ago to move to a…
DetailsLargo Tri-City 8 movie theater is closing; center to be redeveloped LARGO — The AMC Tri-City 8 movie theater has been around for decades. It doesn’t have stadium seating or 20 theaters, just big, crisp screens showing the latest flicks at a cozy location right off U.S. 19. But the Tri-City 8 is closing by the…
DetailsCape looks to revise sign regulations The city of Cape Coral is again looking at its sign ordinance with new regulations targeting both sign-wavers on public rights-of-way and the amount of signage in windows – something many small businesses, especially those in the downtown Community Redevelopment Agency district, say could force them to move or…
DetailsPalmetto debates funding strategy for nonprofits PALMETTO — The Palmetto City Commission approved the first reading of its$22.4 million budget proposal Monday evening during a special meeting. Funding nonprofits properly became a point of discussion. Commissioner Brian Williams said the city is shortchanging its representation at the Manatee County Fair. He said the city should…
DetailsWest Palm Beach OKs — for now — plan for 25-story condo tower at Chapel-on-the-Lake site WEST PALM BEACH — City commissioners late Monday voted to approve — for now — a proposed 25-story waterfront condominium tower at the Chapel-by-the-Lake site on Flagler Drive. During a session that lasted six hours, developers said the tower would…
DetailsDowntown square project is shaping up in Ocala Work on Ocala’s downtown square is chugging along slightly behind schedule, but it will be finished by the Oct. 1 completion date. “We’re getting close,” said Catherine Cameron, the assistant city manager of public services. “There was a little issue with the star. It was holding a…
DetailsNaples council to weigh rules for downtown events on Wednesday NAPLES — Supporters of the evening jazz concerts in Cambier Park turned out in force Monday to petition the city to continue the series. “I appeal to you, friends,” said Everett Hughes, president of the Naples Concert Band, a musical group also hoping to use the…
DetailsiPic will roll out iPad in new deluxe Delray Beach theater iPic Entertainment, the luxury movie theater company, will build a theater in downtown Delray Beach, its second Palm Beach County location. When the complex opens in 2015, it will feature iPic’s latest upscale treat: An iPad to order drinking and dining options. iPic was recently…
DetailsCan a reborn City Center in Port St. Lucie be a success? Columnist Anthony Westbury asks could the newly sold City Center land in Port St. Lucie still become the downtown the city’s never had? Read full story
DetailsLake Worth targets blight in Royal Poinciana neighborhood LAKE WORTH — With a baby on her hip, Yolanda Vasquez shyly approached the podium at the Sept. 3 city commission meeting. “I live in District 1, in Royal Poinciana,” Vasquez said. “There is a real lack of safety. There’s not enough lighting, and you know what’s hanging…
DetailsThree big city building projects progressing in Gainesville In a large clearing at the back of a cluster of business parks in north Gainesville, a no-frills garage stands near an expansive slab of concrete. A newly built road complete with a sidewalk runs past the new construction and dead ends at a patch of woods.…
DetailsTampa Bay Rays stalemate keeps two downtowns in limbo Here’s a question: How long should Jeff Vinik wait? The Lightning owner wants to develop his land around the Tampa Bay Times Forum, but the possibility of a baseball stadium in that location has kept him in limbo. Here’s another question: How long should Pinellas County…
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