Good News From Florida’s CRAs

This summer, the Tampa Bay Times and the City of Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency teamed to present True Florida, a photo and essay contest. It was inspired by two art exhibits on display at the Clearwater Main Public Library: the “America’s Everglades Through the Lens of Clyde Butcher” photo exhibit (which ended in May) and…

The Peninsularium, a new Tampa arts attraction, is on the horizon and the art collective behind it is looking for muralists to adorn the shipping containers that will house it. Crab Devil is accepting proposals of murals that “explore the diverse and unique nature of Florida and the Tampa Bay region,” according to a press…

A great day starts with a first read on what’s happening in Florida politics. Good Monday morning. The Florida League of Cities announced its officers for the 2022-2023 term, including Port St. Lucie Vice Mayor Jolien Caraballo as its next president. Caraballo was elected by FLC membership and will serve a one-year term. The organization,…

The Biden administration announced 166 new federal grants Thursday for transportation projects from the bipartisan infrastructure law. “One thing I think you’ll see come across as we speak to communities that are receiving grant awards is how passionate they are about the need for their project,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said on a call with…

More than 136,000-square-feet covering four stories dedicated to healthy living for all ages brings new excitement and nearly 200 jobs to Northern Palm Beach County as Life Time expands in South Florida PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla., Aug. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Shopping at Downtown Palm Beach Gardens will take on a new spin as Life…

Pinellas County is now using its regional stormwater collection facilities to spur redevelopment in what it considers priority areas, including unincorporated Lealman. During Thursday’s work session, Pinellas commissioners heard an update on how the county will offer development credits and stormwater treatment solutions to lure new projects. Kelli Hammer Levy, director of public works, began…

FAU Wins Major NSF Center with Columbia University, Rutgers University, University of Central Florida and Lehman College BOCA RATON, Fla., Aug. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Florida Atlantic University’s Institute for Sensing and Embedded Network Systems Engineering ( I-SENSE ) and College of Engineering and Computer Science have landed a major National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Research Center…

These days there are lots of ways to get around downtown Tampa: walk the Riverwalk, zip around on bikes and e-scooters, ride the water taxi, catch a free streetcar or drive an old-school automobile. So is the city’s center ready for golf carts? Already a mainstay in neighborhoods from Sun City Center to Davis Islands…

Zoie’s, serving “Southern comfort food with a modern twist,” is coming to the Grand Central District in September, it shared to its Facebook page. The restaurant will open at 2245 Central Ave., which was previously home to Fathers & Son Air Conditioning. The mission of Zoie’s owner Jeff Baker is to create an inclusive dining…

With finding an affordable place to live becoming a bigger challenge in South Florida, Palm Beach county commissioners agreed to place on the November ballot a referendum for a $200 million bond to subsidize more affordable and workforce housing. The bond would address the housing supply for people who earn lower to middle income wages…

The Eats & Beats Food Truck Party is back and here to stay! After a successful inaugural event in May, the event is making its comeback as a mainstay in Homestead the first Saturday of every month. The event returns Saturday, August 6th, 2022 from 5 pm until 10 pm at the Old City Hall…

Homestead small businesses have the opportunity for a free 30-hour, 4-week Small Business Clinic in August and September. The mission of Homestead Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is stated in a recent City of Homestead Press Release, “The mission of the Homestead Community Redevelopment Agency is to revitalize the community redevelopment area and to provide economic…

DUNEDIN — Big projects, economic woes and other challenges dominated a recent budget discussion by the City Commission, and it now appears the city tax rate won’t change in the coming fiscal year. But Mayor Julie Ward Bujalski commented during the lengthy July 22 budget workshop that she didn’t want to decide the matter until…

The Homestead Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has partnered with the Miami Bayside Foundation to host a Small Business Clinic. The program will begin on August 29th and will include a 30-hour, 4-week program. Participants will have the opportunity to learn valuable information to help them develop their business through 8 focused sessions. Those who complete…

Bradenton officials have approved additional funding of $500,000 for an affordable housing developer that is battling against rising construction costs to complete the project. Earlier this year, Bradenton City Council agreed to help fund the 80-unit Riverview6 development coming to the southeast corner of Sixth Avenue West and Ninth Street West in downtown Bradenton, but…

An additional mixed-use development project could be coming to downtown Coral Springs. The city received a proposal from Greenspoon Marder about developing a mixed-use project on the northeast corner of University Drive and Sample Road in the former Publix Plaza. The proposed property calls for approximately 380 residential units and about 10,000 square feet of…

The Boynton Beach Night Market is a business promotional event that is hosted by the Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (BBCRA). Community members and visitors are encouraged to attend the event and stroll the green space and shop with the local restaurants and concessionaires, retailers, and professional service providers that will be exhibiting their goods…

The City’s Community Redevelopment Agency was awarded over $800K through the Florida African American Cultural and Historical Grants program for the funding of the Lincolnville Community Redevelopment Area Institutional Rehabilitation Grant Program, specifically for the Fountain of Youth Elks Lodge #684! This was no small feat, so this week on The Break Room is CRA…

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — “I’ve lived in Delray for 25 years and even I didn’t know how much art we have here in downtown Delray and throughout the city of Delray Beach, we have more art than Wynwood, which I think a lot of people are surprised to hear,” said Suzanne Boyd who is the…

LAKE WORTH BEACH, Fla. — Rents and home prices continue to keep many in South Florida feeling priced out of paradise. Lake Worth Beach is making a push to make living more affordable as everyday people struggle to find a place to call home. WPTV spoke to a man named Thomas on Lake Avenue on…