Good News From Florida’s CRAs

The value of all property within the Lake Wales city limits surged past the billion-and-a-half dollar mark at a rate topping other area cities in the past year, according to figures released by the Polk County Property Appraiser’s office. Annexations, new apartments, restaurants, and scores of new homes added $187,209,619 property valuations for the City…

Riviera Beach has won its first All-America City award for its focus on young people and strong neighborhoods. The city is one of 10 selected Sunday by the National Civic League based on progress in bringing people together to build lasting change. An overjoyed Riviera Beach delegation took the stage at the 77th annual award…

While Port Richey’s CRA isn’t set to dissolve until 2032, city leaders are looking for ways to spur major investment before the district’s remaining years run out. At a Community Redevelopment Agency meeting in June, board members approved a revision to the redevelopment incentive policy to include catalytic projects, which are real estate or infrastructure…

After months of research and public feedback, the Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) released a draft of the updated Dixieland district plan — its first update since 2001. Here’s what the draft plan recommends to keep up with Dixieland’s evolution: District definition — Brand the district with a nod to its historic character, add signage throughout the…

McCollum Hall is a two-story building on the corner of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd and Cranford Avenue on the eastern side of downtown Fort Myers, just past the railroad tracks on the western edge of the Dunbar Community. Built in 1938, McCollum Hall was a crown jewel for commerce and entertainment and served…

Construction crews are moving in to completely demolish and replace the historic Rey Park Center in West Tampa, launching a nearly $4 million modernization project funded by the West Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). The original facility was built back in 1955 as the centerpiece of a 1.35-acre park. Rather than patching up the aging…

The West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) joined community leaders, project partners, and residents in celebrating the grand opening of The Spruce, a transformative mixed-use development in Northwood Village. The ribbon-cutting marked a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to expand workforce housing opportunities and support thoughtful redevelopment throughout the city. Developed through a…

Fort Myers City Council and Indiana-based developer Card & Associates are moving forward with the planning stages of a sports complex and community center in Midtown. It would sit along Broadway Street, on and around the site of the City of Palms stadium, which the city is preparing for demolition. Card’s Vice President of Real…

Pompano Beach officials and “New Downtown” master developer Rocapoint Partners unveiled the newly hired architectural team tasked with designing a replacement for the E. Pat Larkins Community Center, at 520 NW 3rd Street. The announcement came during a “New Downtown Pompano Beach Community Meeting” at the Larkins Center ballroom, sponsored by the city and the…

The Newberry City Commission approved site plans for two concrete batch plants during a regular meeting on Monday, before confirming Planning and Zoning Board appointments and moving forward with a $125,000 purchase of property downtown to build a parking lot. The vote in favor of the Norfleet Batch Plant was unanimous. According to meeting backup documents, the 54-acre site will operate at 2802 NW State Road 45 north of the Easton Newberry Archery…

An interim agreement was executed by the Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and Walesbilt Hotel developer, Restoration St. Louis Inc. The CRA will pay Restoration St. Louis Inc. a sum not to exceed two million dollars to design and prepare the hotel for construction. The agreement authorizes the developer to implement project goals, assess…

Miami’s oldest and historic Black neighborhood is now home to one of the largest mixed-income transit-oriented developments in Miami-Dade County. County and city of Miami officials as well as project partners ushered in the new Atlantic Square, a 36-story tower which yields 616 apartment units including 320 for workforce units and 40 for affordable housing,…

They may not have a crystal ball, but part of the gig at the Lakeland Economic Development Council (LEDC) is to see what’s coming in the city’s future. Downtown Lakeland is at the center of a few major changes. Developers are working to transform the East Main District, just past the overpass by The Joinery,…

The Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce celebrated the grand opening of its new, centrally located headquarters in a new building along North Dixie Highway, drawing more than 100 local dignitaries, residents, and business people. The ribbon-cutting ceremony at 100 NW 8th St., Unit 102, in the mixed-use Sonata Rental Apartments, brings with it larger…

The Sebring Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board approved a disposition agreement with Marmer Construction for the former Bank of America building at 231 S. Ridgewood Drive. Marmer plans to move its office into the second floor of the building with the Hall of Fame Race Museum occupying the first floor. At a recent CRA Board…

A family-owned legacy project in East Tampa is moving forward after receiving a $5 million investment from the Community Redevelopment Agency, helping transform a long-held property into new housing for seniors and the local workforce. The Legacy 34th Street mixed-use development will bring a four-story, 31-unit apartment building to a vacant lot — a level…

The new $3.4 million Coral Springs Museum of Art at the Cornerstone development remains on track for a late summer opening, with construction expected to be completed in August and a grand opening planned for late August or early September. Museum officials are expected to provide an update on the project during a Board of…

Young Tampanian Achieves Dream of Homeownership The City of Tampa is highlighting the life-changing impact of its DARE to Own the Dream Homeownership Program through the story of Tampa native Adrianne Harden, a fifth-generation resident who recently achieved her dream of homeownership at just 25 years old. Harden closed on her first home in February, after receiving…