Downtown’s cultural corridor blossoms BY LEWIS “MIKE” EIDSON www.colson.com The news that Espacio USA will build a $412 million mixed-use development at 1400 Biscayne Boulevard is a big win for Miami’s real-estate market and broader economy. It’s also a sign that the cultural corridor now under development in downtown Miami is serving as a magnet…
Friends of Our Urban Forest Awards Program – Urban Forestry Council Nominations for the 2012 Friends of Our Urban Forest Award Program are now being accepted. Please apply online or download the application – see links below. Awards nomination deadline is November 16, 2012. OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL Recognition of a professional individual for his or her contribution…
Livability Literature Review: A Synthesis of Current Practice Introduction and Purpose In 2009, the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (U.S. HUD) created the Partnership for Sustainable Communities (the Partnership) “to help improve access to affordable housing, more transportation…
Briefs Filed in Ponce Inlet Land Development Case Case History The links below are the initial brief and the brief filed by the Florida League of Cities and the American Planning Association in support of the Town of Ponce Inlet’s position in the case. Note that it is highly unusual for entities like these to…
This project was funded with CRA monies – a pivotal project for the Foster Road redevelopment efforts. Not only did this $1.5 million build a Community Center, but this project created a excellent economic impact in the community: 12 local small businesses were utilized on the project – $695,715; 29 jobs created, 26 of whom…
The Office of Economic and Demographic Research has published the 2012 Local Government Financial Information Handbook. This annual report is a reference for most of the revenue sources available to local governments and contains relevant information useful for local government budgeting purposes, including descriptions of revenue sources, estimated revenue distributions, and adjusted population estimates used…
DELRAY BEACH, Fla.—The Delray GreenMarketis relocating to the Old School Square Park in the Pineapple Grove Arts Districtfor its 17th season, beginning Saturday, October 13. The move received final approval from the City Commission last week. The market is an open-air weekend destination offering fresh produce, plants, baked goods, gourmet food items, and other unique…
Dania Beach boatyard rolls out 900-ton boatlift Derecktor sets its sights on mega-yachts and a revived marine industry EILEEN SOLER • Waterfront Times Boatyard Derecktor of Florida has finished building a 900-ton mobile boat hoist — the largest in Florida and the tallest in the world. Dwarfing buildings and people to the size of toys…
Plans for The Panama City Lighthouse began in 2003, when it was going to be a quaint, utilitarian structure that would honor our community’s history as well as serve as an event shelter with a beacon on top. It was designed after an authentic, historical Florida lighthouse. Now, after more than a decade, and with…
Discover Development Opportunities Reception & Tour of Ybor City Wednesday, September 19, 2012 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm The Ritz Ybor Please respond to Ybor City Development Corp. by Wednesday, September 12, 2012. Click HERE for print version of invitation.
Next door to the Westside Skate Shop on U.S. 19, there are a half-dozen vacant storefronts in a nameless strip mall. Business is down because of construction along the road, the shop’s manager says. “This is all going to be an overpass, right?” Brent Sowinski says, gesturing to the road outside. “We’re not going to…
It took the city of Leesburg less than 10 minutes Friday to tear down an abandoned house and lift up an entire city block. A mechanical excavator quickly ripped apart the crumbling, wood-sided house at 130 S. East St., the latest of several badly aged properties the city is destroying in voluntary cooperation with owners…
Demolition of Shell station part of Palmetto’s revitalization efforts PALMETTO – As motorists and pedestrians descend the Green Bridge and enter the City of Palmetto, one of the first things they’ll soon notice is the absence of the former Palmetto Shell gas station building, which sat for four decades on the west side of Eighth…
CRAs in 2012-2017 SFL Economic Development Strategy (Pages 75 and 77) For nearly thirty years in the State of Florida, statutory provisions have existed to allow the establishment of Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRA’s). CRA’s have evolved to represent comprehensive local mechanisms for the planning and implementing of local projects and programs that serve to: 1)…
Fort Lauderdale CRA program opens door to solar energy, savings Next time you drive through downtown Fort Lauderdale, don’t be surprised if you see more solar panels on buildings. Three buildings already have solar awnings, thanks to a Community Redevelopment Agency program that offers grants for beautification and other improvements in economically challenged areas. U.S.…
Major downtown project in Haines City threatens business By Mary Hurst, News Chief Staff HAINES CITY – Lori Booher can’t wait for the new City Hall and Public Library to open downtown – before she is forced out of business. “I hope the new City Hall and library revitalizes downtown,” she said. “Hopefully, we’ll become…
Picture this: Murals to transform blight to bright in Hollywood By Tonya Alanez, Sun Sentinel HOLLYWOOD — Picture downtown’s walls, boarded-up buildings and alleyways as giant blank canvases calling out for vibrant, color-splashed artistic expression. That’s the way the city sees it — and so does Miami-art scenester and abstract cartoon artist David “Lebo” Le…
Downtown Lakeland Parking Fee Doubles to $1 an Hour By John Chambliss, THE LEDGER LAKELAND | The city will increase downtown parking meter rates on Monday from 50 cents to $1 an hour. The change comes nearly a year after city commissioners voted for the increase in the 2012 yearly budget. Kevin Cook, spokesman for…
Hints of BayWalk’s future tenants emerge; foodies will be impressed By Katherine Snow Smith, Tampa Bay Times Staff Writer ST. PETERSBURG — Food enthusiasts may have reason to salivate over the revamping of BayWalk. A gourmet market, an Asian fusion restaurant and a high-end steak house all with ties to celebrity chefs are in the…
Officials concerned about derelict hotels By Phil Attinger, News Chief LAKE WALES – U.S. 27, touted as the backbone of Florida tourism in the 1960s, has a chance to be revitalized. Lake Wales city commissioners have said they want to make their city a gateway for Legoland visitors coming from South Florida. The problem, they…
The Triple Bottom Line Tool helps optimize investments for economic, environmental, and social impact – what’s referred to as the triple bottom line or TBL. Investors, economic development professionals, and decision-makers can use the TBL Tool to: Design economic development investments for maximum returns Consider an economic development investment’s impact on various factors Compare or…