SARASOTA – When Sarasota’s police chief was hired 18 months ago, she portrayed her strength as developing creative solutions to law enforcement problems. Bernadette DiPino said she prefers to reduce the need for arrests, when possible, by making changes at chronic trouble spots. That could involve better lighting, for instance, or zoning code changes, or…
DetailsORLANDO, FL, (July 28, 2014) – Seminole County, Fla. recently approved a Master Plan for the redevelopment of the Oxford Road area identified as a key “catalyst” site for redevelopment and reinvestment along the U.S. 17-92 corridor. It is a catalyst site because of its pivotal position on the Seminole County transportation network. The plan…
DetailsAs Rudy Tomarchio, 28, peers from the window of his 11th-floor Brickell apartment at the high-rises and construction cranes poking up from the horizon, he says there’s one thing missing from his view: a decent public transportation system. Though Tomarchio’s commute to work consists of a couple of blocks’ walk to the Metromover station and…
DetailsPALMETTO – As crews worked to finish a multi-million-dollar project aimed at cleaning some of Palmetto’s storm water before it reached the Manatee River, someone heard a clink. Then, a thud. Unbeknownst to construction crews, city planners and neighbors, an aging metal kerosene tank was buried under eight inches of dirt and concrete along 5th…
DetailsSince Lily Zhong entered the City Center scene nearly a year ago with promises to build Port St. Lucie’s first downtown filled with bustling businesses and happy homes, her past has been shrouded in secrecy. A Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers investigation found that Lily Zhong, who also goes by two other names, has a record…
DetailsDELTONA — With more than one in five Deltona homes facing foreclosure in recent years, and about half of them still active, city commissioners agree one of their biggest post-recession fights is blight. On Monday, they are scheduled to vote for final approval of three ordinances they hope will address their concerns. The three are:…
DetailsSEBRING — For most downtown store owners, there’s simply not enough time to operate their businesses and plan events, said Beverly Branam, owner of Galleria 301. But, at the same time, she said, such events can bring needed customers to the downtown areas. “We need more events,” she said. Last year, Casey Wohl, who does…
DetailsBELLEAIR — The St. Petersburg developer pursuing the purchase of the Belleview Biltmore filed applications Friday asking the town to approve his requests that the hotel be demolished, the site rezoned and his vision for condos, townhomes and a boutique hotel approved. Attorney Ed Armstrong filed six computer boxes, each containing a copy of the…
DetailsZEPHYRHILLS — Main Street Zephyrhills staff and board members say the organization will close if city council members reduce an annual city grant from $50,000 to $30,000. Supporters of Main Street Zephyrhills appeared before the Community Redevelopment Agency this week to oppose reducing the Main Street grant by $20,000. City council members, acting as the…
DetailsLAKE PLACID — After a year and half of planning and developing ideas to revitalize the downtown, Ken LeBlanc hopes to get started early next year on a $1 million residential project. He will be going before the Lake Placid Local Planning Association on Monday, with his plans for a “pocket neighborhood,” on a .57…
DetailsBrooksville’s cobblestone streets and preserved historical homes hint at a history grounded in classic conservative southern charm. And its intrigue is only intensified with a trip to the Heritage Museum or the Historic Train Depot in downtown Brooksville, where authentic pieces of a historic and exciting past provide a colorful walk down memory lane. Both…
DetailsIf city leaders get their way, Dunedin — home of Honeymoon Island, craft beer, baseball and many things Scottish — could soon add another identity: arts capital of Florida. After years of talk, the city has moved on road improvements, and approved the creation of grants, permit fee reductions and other incentives aimed at turning…
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