Good News From Florida’s CRAs

Orlando city leaders have given final approval for The Canopy, a proposed 10-acre public space under Interstate 4 in downtown Orlando, with construction expected to begin within 60 days. The project will transform under-used space beneath I-4 into a community destination with areas for events, art, trails, multimodal connections, parking, and community programming. “It’s finally…

The City of Bradenton is in early talks to partner with a Pittsburgh-based university and build a school presence downtown. Early plans for the partnership include an emphasis on Point Park University utilizing the city’s Avenue of the Arts — Third Avenue West — to “create new pathways for students,” according to a news release.…

More than 70 years ago, Karen Sloan started kindergarten at Clearwater’s North Ward Elementary School. The school, built in 1915, was one of Pinellas County’s first public schools. Sloan, 76, would eat lunch with her classmates under the trees when the weather was nice outside, and she still remembers the songs she learned in class.…

The renovation of the former Wachovia Bank building was granted a 30-day extension, but there is a possible issue with the elevator in the three-story building on North Ridgewood Drive. On Jan. 3, 2024, the Sebring Community Redevelopment Agency approved an agreement with the Blackmon family on the former bank building, which the CRA purchased…

The Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency hosted a community meeting Wednesday to hear from the public on how to best utilize public funds for Ybor City infrastructure projects. “This is looking to improve deteriorated buildings and housing conditions… So those are the physical conditions of those buildings. Upgrading aging infrastructure, our roads our sidewalks and even…

Over six acres along Bayshore Drive have been opened for new construction, as Collier County seeks interested parties to bring housing, mixed-use, and community-focused development to the area bordering the new Bayshore Pedestrian Boardwalk. The open parcels are part of a larger 17-acre plot of land, which opened to the public in February this year…

Opa-locka is getting closer to a half-billion-dollar redevelopment with 1,500 apartments, retail and a hotel in downtown. The city’s community redevelopment agency approved negotiations with a group of developers for a ground lease for nearly 1.5 city-owned acres spanning less than two blocks, the South Florida Business Journal reported. The CRA voted last week, though…

A car wash that has sat on Nebraska Avenue since 1964 is about to disappear, and in its place will rise a 20-unit affordable housing development called The Vicente. Developer Urban ReWorx plans to break ground on September 2 at 2914 N. Nebraska Ave., just north of downtown Tampa in the historic V.M. Ybor district,…

Working with nature, protecting the environment, supporting dune plantings, protecting bicyclists, keeping the vibe, encouraging more shade trees, limiting building heights and supporting the “small town feel” were among the sticky notes posted to boats at the Town of Fort Myers Beach Town Hall during a resiliency meeting the town hosted with a consultant who…

The Orlando City Council on Monday gave its final approval before the Downtown Community Redevelopment Agency can break ground on The Canopy, a 10-acre community space under Interstate 4. CRA Executive Director David Barilla said construction could begin within 60 days and finish by the end of next year. The City Council voted to approve…

HGTV’s Home Town Takeover, the renovation series that turned downtown Sebring into a national television star, has earned its first-ever award recognition: a 2026 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Instructional/How-To Program. The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced the nomination, marking the first time the series, and hosts Ben and Erin Napier, have…

A $3.1 million renovation project at Liza Jackson Park that was originally expected to begin Monday has been rescheduled to start the week of Sept. 14, the city announced. The new timeline puts the project’s start after the Labor Day holiday weekend, which aligns with what city officials said during the Fort Walton Beach City Council’s March…

About a decade ago, the brothers were struggling with rising rent when they heard about a community meeting at Pompey Park. That meeting changed their lives—they learned about the Delray Beach Community Land Trust, a nonprofit that helps low-to-moderate income families buy and rent homes at prices they can actually afford. After a year of…

Orlando’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is offering financial incentives to business owners willing to open in certain downtown areas, including Church Street. However, the city had to pump the brakes on new applications after receiving more interest than expected. The CRA business program can provide businesses with up to a $300,000 match to get their…

City officials, the Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), and “New Downtown” master developer RocaPoint Partners announced they have picked Boston-based Suffolk Construction as the contractor for the project’s anchor — the new Pompano Beach City Hall and adjoining parking garage to be built at 125 North Dixie Highway, next to Atlantic Boulevard. The press…

Walking in some areas of Pensacola’s westside will soon be safer. Between city and state dollars, $1.2 million is being invested to improve sidewalks. The city says the project will improve pedestrian safety and connectivity in this neighborhood. The improvements will include construction on sidewalks, curb and gutter repairs, pavement markings and preparation for future…

In February, the $125 million Bimini Square community opened to fanfare in the South Cape entertainment district. That may have been merely a warm-up act for developer Larry Nygard, president of North Dakota-based Crown Development, and his partners. At a Cape Coral City Council workshop July 29, Nygard proposed Bimini East, an adjoining mixed-use community…

From city leaders to local families, the Haines City community showed up Thursday evening to celebrate a project designed to bring people together for years to come. The City of Haines City hosted a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony at Myers & Wiley Field, marking the completion of a $1.3 million artificial turf project funded through…