Downtown High Springs was Halloween headquarters this past Saturday, Oct. 28, as people participated in the Fourth Great Pumpkin Decorating Contest, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe and the High Springs Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). The Kiwanis Club and supporting downtown High Springs businesses handed out candy and treats to young trick-or-treaters. The…
The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency approved a commercial property improvement matching grant in the not-to-exceed amount of $50,000 for Onyx House LLC at 1853 Victoria Ave., in the Altamont Manor neighborhood. Onyx House LLC, owned by Nick Bejelis, will operate a hair salon on the property and use the funds for window replacements, installing…
The FRA is proud to share the 2023 Roy F. Kenzie Awards winners who were celebrated at the 2023 Conference and to acknowledge the exceptional accomplishments of city and county organizations and entities from across the state of Florida in the field of redevelopment and community enhancement. Congratulations to the Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency…
The 2023 Florida Redevelopment Association (FRA) Annual Conference and Awards Reception celebrated the exceptional accomplishments of city and county organizations and entities from across the state of Florida in the field of redevelopment and community enhancement. The FRA, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Florida professionals and volunteers engaged in community redevelopment initiatives, annually bestows awards…
The city of New Smyrna Beach is celebrating new improvements to local businesses as part of its Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) grants. The purpose of the U.S. 1 CRA is to act as a tool for the city to stimulate economic recovery and to improve local conditions by reinvestment in the community. Community members celebrated…
Riviera Beach has launched the “Clean and Safe Initiative” to tackle long-standing issues in neighborhoods. This effort, approved by city leaders last month, aims to combat problems like illegal activities, homelessness, and city beautification within the Riviera Beach Community Redevelopment Agency District. One target of this initiative is a house on West 15th Street, which…
Crestview, in Okaloosa County, has a revitalized historic district monitored by the Community Redevelopment Association to ensure it retains its small-town charm and vibrancy. The historic town received its name because it sits on a peak that overlooks the Yellow and Shoal Rivers. It was once called the “icebox” of Florida because it boasts the…
The 2023 Florida Redevelopment Association (FRA) Awards witnessed a remarkable moment of recognition as Ronni Wood, a seasoned and dedicated professional in the field of downtown redevelopment, was honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. The accolade was presented during the 2023 FRA Annual Conference and Awards Reception, where the outstanding contributions of community organizations,…
What a way to kick off Immerse Global Summit (IGS) 2023! This year is more significant than ever thanks to deep event partnerships, which boost IGS 2023 by showcasing local innovative technology talents from Orlando, Florida, while also bringing together some of the best international minds and companies in the AR/VR/MR space. For 2023, IGS…
For Renee Jadusingh, executive director of the Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), the “community” part of her title is always at the top of her mind. “For our staff, I try to instill in them that you are the CRA; you have to go out knowing you are our face, our voice, our presence.…
The City of Newberry Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) on Sept. 25 approved their Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget of $509,500, with 92 percent of that funding for projects within the CRA District. Newberry Assistant City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Dallas Lee said that revenues increased by $160,000 to $480,840, with $80,000 coming from the City…
Commissioner Marleine Bastien will host a press conference to discuss a resolution sponsored by the Commissioner providing an amendment to the original Interlocal Cooperation Agreement between Miami-Dade County, the City of North Miami, and the North Miami Community Redevelopment Agency (NMCRA). The new agreement removes a $1 million dollar cap and provides the NMCRA with…
The city’s recent unveiling of new street banners represents only a glimpse of what citizens will see coming to Naples Design District. “Later on this month, the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) will consider a design proposal to design the Design Walk, the pilot Design Walk, which is meant to be an example in the public…
Boca Raton has ambitious plans for a new downtown government complex—perhaps with private money. City council members authorized $300,000 for a consultant that will offer recommendations about the area that includes City Hall, the police station, the tennis center, and other city-owned property on or near Northeast Second Avenue just north of Palmetto Park Road.…
The City of Riviera Beach announced a new enhancement, beautification, and safety initiative between its police department and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). The CRA District is the target area, which encompasses the Broadway Corridor, Marina Village, Singer Island, Ocean Mall area, and portions of Riviera Beach Heights. The project is named the “Clean and Safe…
During the September 28, 2023 Board meeting of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) of the City of Bradenton, The CRA voted unanimously to enter into a public-private-partnership with Freebeeproviding free micro-mobility-on-demand service. Three vehicles will provide point-to-point service within the Downtown, Tamiami Trail, and Central redevelopment areas. Bradenton CRA residents and business customers may begin…
The city of New Port Richey bought the Harry Schwettman Education Center from the Pasco County School Board in September but has not decided what to do with the property. At its Sept. 5 meeting, the city council, acting as the Community Redevelopment Agency, heard from CRA Executive Director Debbie L. Manns. She told the…
A series of vacant storefronts in Downtown Homestead will soon be transformed into an entertainment and dining destination thanks to the revitalization efforts of the Homestead Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). The CRA recently purchased multiple retail storefronts on Krome Avenue north of Second Street in Downtown Homestead in the hope of attracting partners with significant…
Two development companies asked for $22.4 million in increment tax rebates from the City of Fort Myers, in exchange for building new housing and commercial projects. The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) commissioners had lots of questions, but granted the rebates, to be paid over a period of time. First Alessio Development wanted $11.4…
The Florida Department of Transportation has awarded a $700,000 grant to the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) to permit the TECO Line Streetcar to remain fare-free for an additional year. The streetcar has routinely logged ridership records since FDOT awarded HART a $2.7 million Innovation Grant in 2018, enabling the streetcar to be fare-free and increase frequency and…
The multi-million-dollar reconstruction of Park Avenue is proceeding close to schedule, as evidenced by the hard-working crews who have been seen laying the thousands of bricks that will eventually form the surface of the new street and parking spaces. The new high-quality clay-brick pavers were selected as the most durable and traditional surface for the…