In the heart of Pensacola, Florida, a story of resilience and community spirit unfolds at the Frank R. Marson American Legion Post 33. Established in 1919, this post has witnessed the ebbs and flows of a century, from its inception to celebrate patriotism and unity, to facing the brink of oblivion. Today, under the stewardship…
The dedication of Manatee County’s first completed All Inclusive ADA Playground at Lewis Park in Bradenton, will be formally dedicated on Monday, March 4th at 1 pm. Rotary Clubs in Manatee County, in partnership with the City of Bradenton, have developed an all-inclusive playground experience in Bradenton’s Lewis Park that provides recreational and active-living opportunities to…
Ralph Dallas Jr., 73, grew up two streets over from the former Austin’s Groceries, 160 Louis Broer Road, where law students, activists and determined Putnam County residents spoke Friday about creating a community development agency. “We truly was a village, if you can define what a village is,” said Dallas, a former president of the…
For the second year in a row, the Haines City Community Redevelopment Agency is celebrating Black History Month with a special art show at the Lake Eva Gallery. The show is made up of artwork by local artist Kent Sean McAllister. “We’re really excited to have Kent McAllister, a local school teacher, presenting his artwork…
The Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency is looking for artists to paint a second set of murals on the concrete perimeter wall that surrounds the Talbot House Ministries homeless shelter. The Midtown Mini Murals Project is located on E. Parker Street and N. Tennessee Avenue. The theme for Phase II is murals that demonstrate faith, hope…
In a few weeks, a new mural will grace the Rosalind Avenue corridor in downtown Orlando. The goal is to improve the road, increase safety, and enhance the area’s appearance. The estimated cost for the artwork design and other designs apart from the infrastructure Project and painting of the four intersection murals on Orange Avenue…
In an effort to help address the need for transportation around the downtown area, City Manager James Slaton and staff have brought another solution forward. The “Squeeze” is an eight-passenger open vehicle that has already proven successful in downtown Lakeland, according to Erin Killebrew, who presented the concept during a special presentation to the Lake…
Winter Park’s financial strength and future goals took center stage as Mayor Phil Anderson gave his final State of the City address at Winter Park Events Center on the morning of Feb. 16. Residents were invited to the free community event that also featured the annual presentations of city employee awards and the Mayor’s Founders’…
Along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Fort Myers, time hasn’t been kind to many of the businesses that line the street. “You don’t want to leave holes right in your city,” Mellone F. Long, the assistant director of the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency, told NBC2. “It’s one of those places we don’t…
The High Springs Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) hopes to extend its sunset date to 2046 and voted unanimously to approve a CRA 2023 Plan update, which also includes an expanded designated area. The CRA is responsible for implementing redevelopment activities in specific areas in High Springs. The original High Springs CRA Plan was adopted in…
In a proactive move to mitigate downtown parking challenges, the St. Cloud City Council initiated exploratory steps during its Thursday evening meeting for the construction of a new parking garage. Council approved on first reading a pair of ordinances assigning a future land use of Commercial and zoning of Central Business District to several city-owned…
A South Florida group, with the support of the Pompano Beach CRA, is on a mission to provide healthy food by creating a garden of possibilities for its neighbors. It takes a lot of work to keep a garden growing in South Florida. Lisa Torres, a volunteer, said “Today was mostly weeding and getting a…
Memorial Park Cemetery means the world to Noreen Copeland-Miller. “Our black soldiers could not be buried anywhere else where there’s white soldiers. So that’s why it’s over 900 soldiers in that cemetery,” she said. “I am so excited and happy that the city is going to honor them, and respect them and do what’s right.…
Local businessman Bill Jarrett, along with the rest of the Avon Park Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Agency Advisory Board, have discussed converting the two dormant tennis courts in Donaldson Park into pickleball courts. Jarrett, who is a member of the CRA, believes this could attract more visitors to Avon Park and promote activity in Donaldson…
New and slick and shiny objects are attractive in their gloss, but need time to develop depth and spirit. This is true for places as well as people. Much of Florida is too newly minted to have this patina, so if we value character, we need to stop demolishing and paving over our older neighborhoods.…
Visitors and residents in Lake Worth Beach will soon have a new way to get around town in an environmentally friendly way. The Lake Worth Beach Community Redevelopment Agency on Jan. 30 unanimously approved a one-year contract to fund new electric shuttles in the downtown historic district. An agreement between the CRA and the Circuit…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…