Good News From Florida’s CRAs

Diocese of Venice in Florida and National Development of America Celebrate Completion of St. Peter Claver Place Apartments in Fort Myers

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffMarch 15, 2024

The Diocese of Venice in Florida and National Development of America have completed Phase 1 construction of St. Peter Claver Place Apartments, an affordable housing complex within the Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard redevelopment area in Fort Myers. St. Peter Claver Place Apartments provides affordable housing for qualified residents, those who make up to 60%…

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City Officials Plan to Bring Flexible Event Space Under Interstate 4 in Downtown Orlando

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffMarch 8, 2024

The City of Orlando released the latest iteration of what it hopes to be an urban gathering space in downtown Orlando, The Canopy, formerly known as the Under-i project. The Canopy will occupy 10 acres underneath Interstate 4 in Downtown Orlando between South Hughey Avenue and South Garland Avenue. It will include bike paths, pedestrian-friendly…

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Key Detail – 1948 Harrison Street

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffMarch 8, 2024

Key Detail is a Belarusian artist who works with painting, drawing, and illustrations. He studied Architecture in Minsk, Belarus, and currently lives and works in New York City. Growing up in Minsk, Key Detail has been active on the street art scene since 2000 and has worked consistently towards developing his unique style and skills…

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Caribbean Artists on Display at MOCA Art on The Plaza

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffMarch 8, 2024

The Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami (MOCA) is pleased to announce the 2024 Art On The Plaza Artists: Yanira Collado, Christopher Mitchell, and Nicole Salcedo. This annual program, inaugurated in 2020, provides an opportunity for South Florida artists to engage with the museum and its community, employing MOCA’s front plaza as a platform to…

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Orlando to Buy Two Downtown Properties to Expand Lake Eola Park

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffMarch 8, 2024

Three of the properties will increase the amount of park space in the city’s downtown, while two will specifically expand the city’s crown jewel: Lake Eola Park. The purchases, totaling $19.4 million, will be paid for by Community Redevelopment Agency funding and will not affect the city’s budget. The city has openly wished to buy…

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Affordable Housing Community Marks New Beginning for Many in Fort Myers

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffMarch 8, 2024

With praise from local and state officials, the first phase of the St. Peter Claver Place affordable housing community, with 136 units, was blessed by Bishop Frank J. Dewane on February 27, 2024. The Diocese of Venice partnered on the project with National Development of America, Inc. (NDA), and was supported by the City of…

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Lake Wales Reclaims Historic Walesbilt Hotel After Court Victory Over Fraud Claims

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffMarch 8, 2024

In a landmark decision, Lake Wales is set to reclaim the Walesbilt Hotel, a historic but neglected downtown icon, following a Circuit Court ruling. The city’s long-standing legal battle with the property’s current owner, Dixie-Walesbilt LLC, culminated in a victory that addresses false claims made during the renovation contract bidding process in 2010. While the…

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Haines City’s Historic Revival: Rejuvenating Oakland’s Black-Owned Business District

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffMarch 8, 2024

Haines City, Florida, is embarking on a significant initiative to rejuvenate the historic Oakland community’s business district, a move that’s stirring excitement among both former business owners and residents alike. This effort, led by the Haines City Community Redevelopment Agency, aims to restore the vibrancy of an area that was once the heart of the…

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Orlando Leaders Hope to Buy Downtown Properties to Drive Growth

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffMarch 8, 2024

Orlando leaders are eyeing some properties downtown because they want to use them to help the area grow. The Orlando Community Redevelopment Agency met Wednesday and approved buying the buildings to be redeveloped. A fire destroyed 30 S. Orange Avenue years ago. The city recently leased it, but hasn’t been able to do much with…

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St. Patrick’s Day Parade Adopts New Schedule on 45th Anniversary

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffMarch 1, 2024

The Rotary Club of Winter Park and the Community Redevelopment Agency will present the 45th Annual Winter Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 2. More than 60 organizations and businesses will march through downtown beginning at 9 a.m. with Fr. Richard M. Walsh, Pastor of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, serving as Grand…

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Public Restrooms Coming to McKenzie Park in Panama City

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffMarch 1, 2024

Panama City Community Redevelopment Agency officials say they plan to build public restrooms at McKenzie Park. The CRA and the downtown improvement board are partnering on the project. The plans call for a total of four restroom stalls with an estimated cost of $200,000. Read the whole article here.

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Panama City CRA Approves Newest Executive Director

Redevelopment NewsBy FRAstaffMarch 1, 2024

The Panama City CRA approved its newest Executive Director on Tuesday. CRA stands for Community Redevelopment Agency, and in Panama City, they’re tasked with infrastructure improvements, attracting new businesses, and rebuilding downtrodden areas. Jonathan Hayes is a Panama City native who took over as city manager last month, and on Tuesday, he added a new…

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