Good News From Florida’s CRAs

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.

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…

In January 2020, Walker Architects, working with the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency, announced its vision of a revitalized Main Street, also known as Block 12. Walker’s ultimate vision was to “create new community space.” Fireman’s Park was created from the remains of the Williston Fire Department and the old Coca-Cola bottling plant. It was dedicated…

There is a for-sure way redevelopment of the downtown and the area. A strong market with finances will create a redevelopment area subject to the types of businesses interested in relocating or expanding into the area. The best and quickest way is to establish a Downtown Community Redevelopment Agency area. The city should issue 20-year,…

The Panama City Beach City Council took several proactive steps Thursday to advance the progress on future segments of the Front Beach Road Community Redevelopment Area (CRA). The Council approved two resolutions for task orders with Chandler and Associates and Deal Consulting, for the appraisal of properties needed for Segment 4.3 of the Front Beach…

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…