Good News From Florida’s CRAs

The South Cape Community Redevelopment Agency is starting discussions to change its demolition grant incentive to include larger parcels. City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn, who also acts as the CRA’s executive director, said when they initially set forward the Demolition Grant program it was geared mostly towards getting spots of blight demolished. “Speaking with the first-ever…

PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP – Workforce Housing The Palmetto Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) in partnership with ReEnvision Palmetto LLC, will be focused on facilitating the development of both for-rent and for-sale affordable housing units. This partnership is unique in that, rather than providing direct financial subsidies to reduce costs for affordable and workforce housing, the CRA’s…

The Cape Coral Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has installed new Bigbelly trash compactors in walkable locations along SE 47th Terrace and Cape Coral Parkway. Each compactor features patriotic artwork on its sides. This artwork will be rotated throughout the year, transforming the compactors into dynamic public art pieces that celebrate our City. These solar-powered compactors…

A new marine science center is coming to the city of Deerfield Beach through a partnership with the Museum of Discovery and Science. Exhibits and activities embody the theme “Seagrass to Sawgrass,” which explores the interconnected ecosystems of Florida. The city’s Community Redevelopment Agency will fund and design the project, while the Museum will consult…

A significant discussion unfolded during the City of Panama City’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) virtual workshop on July 16, 2025, focusing on the future of a proposed grocery store project at the intersection of MLK and Fifteenth Street. The meeting highlighted the need for clarity in financial planning and community engagement as the city navigates…

The Coral Springs Community Redevelopment Agency is taking up two requests for grants during its next meeting from downtown businesses to help them pay for renovations. The agency board is scheduled to meet at 5:30 p.m. on Monday in the Sawgrass Room at city hall and consider a request from Paris Baguette and Sakara Beauty…

The Apopka Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board has approved the framework of its façade grant repair program, which aims to help homeowners struggling to afford necessary home repairs upgrade their properties’ exterior. The city plans to launch the program Aug. 1, aiming to address code compliance issues and eventually raise property values in the CRA…

The North Miami Community Redevelopment Agency (NMCRA) has approved a $300,000 grant to support a major renovation of Jimmy’s Diner, a beloved neighborhood staple with roots dating back nearly 60 years. The Commercial Rehabilitation Grant, approved unanimously during the April 22, 2025, CRA Board Meeting, will help fund a $502,017 upgrade project for the diner,…

In a recent meeting of the Bradenton Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), officials discussed the establishment of sinking funds aimed at ensuring the long-term maintenance of redevelopment projects. This initiative is crucial as it addresses a common challenge in urban development: the sustainability of improvements once initial funding has been exhausted. The CRA’s plan involves creating…

The city of Kissimmee and Kissimmee’s City Hall are being recognized for overall city beautification projects to the downtown area. This week, they were presented with the 2025 Downtown Beautification and Innovation Award. City leaders say a huge factor in receiving this recognition was the addition of roughly 30 murals to Kissimmee and its downtown…

PulteGroup, one of the nation’s largest home builders, in partnership with the Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), will officially break ground on July 17 on The Cottage District, a standalone workforce housing initiative located within the City of Boynton Beach’s “Heart of Boynton District” close to downtown. The community will feature 41 single-family homes…

The Margate Community Redevelopment Agency recently completed the purchase of a parcel of land at 1100 State Road 7 for $3.8 million. It was announced at the July 8 meeting that the CRA had closed on the property that contains the Country Haven Motel. The structure is now vacant and awaiting demolition. Mayor Arlene Schwartz…

The Long Meeting Short segment with City Clerk Vanessa Joseph, Esq. on July 8, 2025, provided a comprehensive overview of the recent meetings held by the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) board and the city council of North Miami. The CRA board initiated the session by approving a $200,000 business attraction expansion and rehabilitation grant for…

The Orlando City Council has approved À La Cart to oversee the operations of Art², a new park opening this fall at the corner of Orange Avenue and Robinson Street. Art² aims to serve as an innovative public space that encourages community connection and engagement. The park will include rotating food vendors, a craft beverage…

The distinctive, white, curved, three-story building at 228 N. Ridgewood Drive in Sebring was a Wachovia Bank branch when it closed 15 years ago this month. Now its being cleaned up and fixed up and soon renovated into modern office space for short term or longer term rentals for various business needs. The Blackmon family…

The Niceville community redevelopment agency voted to accept bids from various contractors for the construction of the pier and dock project at the old town Landing on Boggy Bayou. The agency also announced that they would begin cost estimating the beginning of the upland portion of the community redevelopment area – which would eventually include…

As its 10th anniversary nears, the Sebring Soda & Ice Cream Works will soon have a new owner, a familiar face in the cafe business in Sebring – Yunii del Cueto of Sophie’s Cafe. The purchase of the ice cream and soda shop was announced at Tuesday’s gathering of downtown business people during the coffee…

The Cape Coral Community Redevelopment Agency has awarded its first Demolition Assistance Grant to Nautilus Equity Group, LLC, to remove a severely deteriorated structure at 4528 S.E. 15th Ave. The new Demolition Assistance Grant Program accelerates the removal of blighted buildings within the CRA district by reimbursing a portion of demolition costs. It aims to revitalize properties,…

A roughly 6-mile stretch of Memorial Boulevard traveled by 20,000 to 40,000 vehicles a day is a “corridor of opportunity” to Lakeland officials. Valerie Vaught, manager of Lakeland’s Community Redevelopment Agency, offered a first look at the city’s Memorial Boulevard Economic Development Strategy at the July 7 commission meeting. The 61-page report from consultant Ayres…

RMA, a leading economic development firm, has been awarded a contract by the City of Lakeland to spearhead the strategic modification of the Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Midtown District Redevelopment Plan. This initiative will encompass a thorough analysis of existing conditions, the implementation of performance measures, and the establishment of updated goals and objectives.…

A plan to help homeless people get off the street is currently in motion with the 407 Connect project, a partnership between the city of Orlando and the Christian Service Center for the Homeless. As the 2025 Point-In-Time count revealed that 2,781 people were found living in shelters, inside their cars, or outdoors on a…