Good News From Florida’s CRAs

The Arsht Center Celebrates Black Excellence with the Fifth Annual Heritage Fest and An Evening with Talib Kweli

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffFebruary 12, 2024

The fifth annual community event celebrates the impact of Black Americans on arts and culture by amplifying South Florida’s brightest artists and performers. Focused on celebrating African-Americans and the arts, the fifth annual HERITAGE FEST features hip-hop, musical theater, dance and yoga workshops for all ages; a live mural on the plaza with Picardo Colours (@euphorical_colours); a reading nook…

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SOBEWFF’s Hallandale Beach Food & Groove

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffFebruary 12, 2024

The South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) is one of THE MOST anticipated events of the year and the City of Hallandale Beach’s Community Redevelopment Agency (HBCRA) has once again partnered with SOBEWFF to host its annual Hallandale Beach Event Series. This year’s enchanting Food & Groove “Festival of Lights” themed evening will feature…

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There’s a Buzz about Lealman’s Honey & Arts Festival ’24

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffFebruary 12, 2024

Lealman’s inaugural Honey & Arts Festival was a resounding success in 2023, bringing more than 3,000 visitors to the leafy and vibrant unincorporated area of northwest St. Petersburg. The second annual festival takes place this Saturday (Feb. 10), and for co-producer Zelda O’Connell, the fact that several organizations came together, pooled their talents and resources…

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Pompano Beach CRA: Community Input Sought for Downtown Vision

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffFebruary 12, 2024

RocaPoint Partners, the firm tasked with developing a new downtown, will be here to get input from members of the community. The two scheduled sessions are Feb. 7, 6 p.m. at the Cultural Center, 50 W. Atlantic Blvd., and Feb. 8, 6 p.m. at the Emma Lou Olson Civic Center, 1801 NE 6 St. The…

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Fort Myers CRA Approves $30M Rebate; $700K for Housing

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffJanuary 30, 2024

The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency has awarded a $30 million tax increment rebate and approved a $700,000 purchase of land for single-family housing. The tax increment rebate was awarded to JAXI CMD LLC for The Royal Palm Hotel & Residences at 2424 Edwards Drive in the not-to-exceed amount of $30,170,000. The rebate will be…

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Financial Incentives Could Come to Chains Looking to Open in Downtown Orlando

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffJanuary 29, 2024

Downtown Orlando’s Community Redevelopment Agency voted to approve changes to the city’s Downtown Restaurant and Retail Stimulus Program on Wednesday. The changes would now allow for franchises to cash in on financial incentives should they choose to open up shop in Downtown Orlando. Prior to Wednesday’s meeting, franchises were not eligible for the stimulus program.…

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Planned Fort Myers Affordable Housing Development Receives 15-month Extension

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffJanuary 29, 2024

Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency Board of Commissioners voted 4-3 to grant a 15-month extension of the tax increment financing agreement for the long-awaited development of Towles Garden. The affordable 140-townhome community will be at the corner of Edison Avenue and Veronica S. Shoemaker Boulevard. The development on 7.5-acres is intended to provide new and…

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FRA Legislative Update for 1-29-24

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffJanuary 29, 2024

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Pensacola Eyes Repairs of Cobb Resource Center

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffJanuary 26, 2024

A month after backing away from a decision to demolish the Malcolm Yonge Gym, the Pensacola City Council, meeting as the Community Redevelopment Agency board, voted to move forward with the demolition of the city-owned building in a 4-2 vote. The Council also voted 6-0 Tuesday to spend between $125,000 and $175,000 to conduct a…

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Sculpture inspired by Gerald Ensley Hopes to Illustrate Cascades Park, Tallahassee Roots

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffJanuary 25, 2024

A decade ago, when Cascades Park debuted and became the crown jewel of the city’s parks, a newspaper column by the late Gerald Ensley followed and inspired a grand idea. He thought a statue of John Lee Williams, one of the city’s founding fathers, should be erected in the park, steeped with its own unique origin story.…

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Upgrades at Mizner Amphitheater and Sanborn Square

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffJanuary 24, 2024

The city’s amphitheater is getting a fresh coat of paint. Sanborn Square, the city park that fronts on Federal Highway, will be getting planters and barricades around the park perimeter in the spring “to enhance security from vehicle intrusions,” the spokesperson said. “Procurement will take two to three months for the planters and barricades, and…

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New Affordable Housing Complex Opens in Delray Beach

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffJanuary 24, 2024

The ribbon is cut and new tenants have moved into the Island Cove Apartments in Delray Beach. The apartments are the area’s newest affordable housing complex initiative by the city, the Delray Beach Housing Authority and the city’s community redevelopment agency (CRA). Maria Velasquez is among the residents who are calling the apartments home. “I…

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