Downtown North CRA in Panama City installs new leadership PANAMA CITY — The Downtown North Community Redevelopment Agency has reconfigured the way it prioritizes grants with an advisory committee. The Downtown North Advisory Committee will consist of seven members representing the different interests within the massive district. The paramount requirement would be that members either…
DetailsPort St. Lucie’s Civic Center could become financial burden on city The Civic Center in Port St. Lucie sits mostly alone on land off U.S. 1 and Walton Road in an area once envisioned as a bustling downtown. Read more about what could save the project. Read full story
DetailsActivists hope to restore historic Jackson House in Tampa TAMPA — A coalition of civic activists led by Tax Collector Doug Belden and businessman Marvin Knight hopes to restore the historic Jackson House. “They have uplifted my heart,” said Willie Robinson Jr., whose family has owned the rooming house for more than 100 years. “A…
DetailsA busier downtown St. Petersburg not always Sunshine City Take a look skyward and one of the first things you notice are the cranes brushing broad strokes of development in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg. There are at least a half dozen developments under construction. These signs of growth offer opportunities for small businesses,…
DetailsSt. Petersburg officials name panel to study waterfront ST. PETERSBURG — City officials announced this week the makeup of an expert panel from the Urban Land Institute that will soon arrive here to analyze the waterfront, interview stakeholders and offer guidance on the area’s future. At a cost of $125,000 (80 percent of which was paid…
DetailsSarasota mansion teardown part of a trend? SARASOTA – Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik’s decision to raze a perfectly livable — and relatively new — St. Armands Key mansion may have set Southwest Florida real estate watchers abuzz, but the demolition won’t be the opening salvo of a new trend involving upscale homes, local professionals…
Details‘Unsightly’ ship vexes Panama City PANAMA CITY — After spending upward of $100,000 to remove more than 20 derelict boats from Watson Bayou, Panama City has been left with one behemoth of an eyesore, city officials said. El Dorado, also called the Sun Dancer, is formerly a luxury cruise liner transferred from the St. Andrews…
DetailsGerald Ensley: ‘The urban myth’ of Gaines Street, Tallahassee A couple of weeks ago, I made the mistake of posting on Facebook a few words of admiration for the opening of Bass Pro Shops in Tallahassee. I don’t hunt, fish or camp. But I know a dazzling retail operation when I see one. Of course,…
DetailsSt. Pete Beach begins detailed study of downtown, Corey areas ST. PETE BEACH — A $280,000 consultant study is expected to produce a definitive plan for revitalizing the city’s downtown and Corey Avenue areas. “This is more than talk about ideas and ending up with a list of 10 things that are important,” City Manager Mike…
DetailsWise investments for downtown Zephyrhills The city of Zephyrhills is advancing a downtown improvement plan that amounts to out with the old and in with the old. It’s a welcome convergence as the city seeks to preserve its history while simultaneously refurbishing aging building exteriors in its business district. Last week, the City Council, sitting…
DetailsGainesville commission gives first approval to Butler Plaza ordinance Changes to the future redevelopment and expansion of the Butler Plaza retail district along Archer Road continue to advance through the City Commission. The first vote Thursday evening on an ordinance to make modifications passed 5-1, with Thomas Hawkins in dissent and Randy Wells absent. The…
DetailsMilton City Council approves riverfront master plan Milton City Manager Brian Watkins said today that the five-year plan to improve the city’s riverfront and downtown is underway. “We’re hoping to encourage economic development, tourism and economic activity in the downtown area,” he said. Watkins said the master plan will develop recreation facilities, infrastructure and investment,…
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