Good News From Florida’s CRAs

The City of Orlando and the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) are committed to bringing quality and affordable housing options to downtown Orlando. In an effort to increase owner-occupancy of single family homes in the Parramore area, the CRA will provide down payment/closing cost assistance to purchasers of the CRA constructed homes. The amount of assistance…

Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area Programs & Incentives The GCRA is developing a new suite of incentive programs designed to encourage neighborhood preservation, economic development and community partnerships within the district. Learn more by visiting: https://gainesvillecra.com/programs-and-incentives/

Housing Trust Group (HTG), an award-winning multifamily developer and one of the nation’s largest developers of affordable housing, is pleased to announce the completion of Hudson Village, a residential high-rise delivering 96 affordable apartments to downtown Hollywood, Fla. Apartments at Hudson Village are reserved for residents earning 30, 60 or 70 percent of local area…

The City of Tampa is moving forward with a new multi-use recreation center. On Wednesday, construction workers demolished an old food market that would free up 1.8 acres of land for the new facility. The City of Tampa says taking down the food market right behind me is the next step towards developing a 10-acre…

Longboat Key Commissioner Penny Gold is among those planning to take part in a new Florida League of Cities certification program, which provides opportunities for elected municipal officials to become more familiar with state and federal issues that might affect local government, trends and best practices. FLC Associate Director of Communication James Miller said the league is made…

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…

The popular downtown Bradenton block party series, Main Street Live, will return in October after going on hiatus two years ago because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “This is downtown Bradenton’s most popular street party; it’s back and better than ever,” according to the Facebook event page. The free monthly music series, hosted by Independent Jones…

The Florida chapter of the American Planning Association has announced that Bayshore Drive in Collier County is a finalist for the 2022 Great Places in Florida Award! Bayshore Drive is one of four finalists in the People’s Choice Award.  Help Bayshore Drive win the award by voting – Vote by visiting: https://florida.planning.org/community-outreach/great-places-florida/ Voting ends –…

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…