Good News From Florida’s CRAs

St. Cloud city leaders are making the case that going bigger could mean paying less. At a May 14 city council meeting, Mayor Chris Robertson and council members defended a $60 million mixed-use development planned for downtown, arguing that expanding the commercial tax base is the best way to keep residents’ tax bills from climbing.…

Construction used to be a rare sight in Zephyrhills. Not anymore. “Right now we have more homes under construction in the downtown district than we’ve had in the last 10 years,” says Gail Hamilton, the Director of the Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). Spurring the change isn’t just the end of the economic Recession, but…

CITY OF BRADENTON BEACH Permit Technician – Planning & Development/Building Department Reports to: Building Official Date: May 27, 2026 JOB SUMMARY: This position performs a wide variety of office duties including receptionist, typing, Filing and issuing of permits under the direction of the Building Official. The position processes applications for Building and Zoning permits, prepares…

The West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is advancing public safety efforts across its targeted redevelopment areas, including the Historic Northwest, Pleasant City, Northwood Village, and the Broadway Corridor, through several initiatives designed to deter crime, support local businesses, and improve the quality of life for residents. The comprehensive approach includes adding more on-the-ground private security…

The City Commission, acting as the Community Redevelopment Agency Board, voted unanimously at its May 12 meeting to spend $4.5 million for a property across Stuart Avenue from the historic structure at East Park Avenue and North First Street. The purchase, combined with property the city already owns, will create 165 additional parking spaces, City…

The Sunset Lounge in West Palm Beach’s Historic Northwest District has reopened after a long-awaited revitalization, marking its 100th year as a cornerstone of jazz, soul, and community pride. The West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the City of West Palm Beach worked together to preserve the venue’s storied past while creating a…

After years of negotiations and failed stadium efforts, local leaders and the Tampa Bay Rays say they are now closer than ever to reaching a deal to bring Major League Baseball to Tampa. City officials, Hillsborough County leaders and Rays executives gathered Friday at Tampa City Hall to promote a newly negotiated non-binding memorandum of…

The West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is advancing public safety efforts across its targeted redevelopment areas — including the Historic Northwest, Pleasant City, Northwood Village and the Broadway Corridor — through several initiatives designed to deter crime, support local businesses and improve quality of life for residents. The effort includes nearly doubling private…

From pickles to empanadas to plants to craft vendors, the Delray Green Market in Delray is always an option on a Saturday morning. The summer is fast approaching, and the end of the winter season is ending for the Green Market in Old School Square in Delray. But don’t worry, the Green Market will also…

The former Wachovia bank building in downtown Sebring has a few weeks to go until its renovation into an office center is complete. The Blackmon family, who is also renovating/restoring Harder Hall, acquired the building at 228 N. Ridgewood Drive in January 2024 from the Sebring Community Redevelopment Agency. “It looks great. At this point,…

More than 175 community leaders, environmental advocates, educators, business professionals, students and residents gathered April 30 at Willoughby Golf Club for the 2026 Environmental Stewardship Awards hosted by Keep Martin Beautiful The annual event recognized individuals, businesses, nonprofits and public-sector organizations for contributions related to conservation, environmental education, beautification, sustainability and community improvement efforts throughout…

The Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency will receive $1,145,144 to replace the commercial seawall at Boynton Harbor Marina. City officials said the project is intended to protect surrounding homes and businesses, marina operations, and public access areas from flooding, storm surge, and the ongoing effects of sea-level rise. The funding was announced at a news conference in Lake Worth…

Back alleys — long treated as little more than service corridors and shortcut routes — have emerged as a centerpiece of Dixieland’s new redevelopment vision. A 113-page “Restore the Core” plan presented to the Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency’s advisory board on May 7 shifts the neighborhood’s focus beyond historic preservation and beautification toward connectivity. It…