When it comes to solving the shortage of workforce housing in Key West, city Planner Thaddeus Cohen says it’s time to look up. The allowable height for buildings, which in Key West is limited to 40 feet for certain homes in the flood plain and lower in other neighborhoods, may need to rise to 60…
DetailsVisit our beaches and stores, but don’t stay too long. That’s the message Treasure Coast governments are working to convey as they try to decongest crowded downtown streets and oceanfront parking lots. For the last decade, local downtowns have been thriving and packed spaces aren’t a bad problem to have, according to Jim O’Connor, Vero…
DetailsSanford commissioners have selected Torre Companies of South Florida to begin turning 5.4 acres of city-owned property in the downtown district into a development of townhomes, restaurants, shops and a hotel. The property — which is bordered by East Seminole Boulevard, Sanford Avenue, First Street and Palmetto Avenue — is considered to be one of the…
DetailsNEW SMYRNA BEACH — The Outback Steakhouse in New Smyrna Beach closed last week and its parent company also announced plans to shutter 14 of the more than 200 Bonefish Grill restaurants it operates nationally. Tampa-based Bloomin’ Brands Inc., which owns both chains, intends to keep its other two Outbacks in Volusia County and has not…
DetailsST. PETERSBURG — The city sounded the call Tuesday for urban planners: Deliver a vision of how to transform 85 acres of parking lots and an aging domed stadium into a powerful economic engine for the city. And do it fast. The city issued a request for qualifications that has a quick turnaround. Bids for the project…
DetailsPerceived lack of parking in the downtown business district, especially during season, is a perennial issue for city officials and business owners. But an unofficial audit of public parking by council member Bob Daniels suggests that the real problem may be lack of awareness of available spots rather than a shortage. Daniels said that in…
DetailsLeon County Administrator Vince Long and Tallahassee City Manager Rick Fernandez have created a plan to make the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency the area’s designated economic development organization, replacing the now-dissolved Economic Development Council of Tallahassee/Leon County. Under the plan, the IA — which is made up of the city and county commissions — would be…
DetailsDELAND — A downtown DeLand street that is already a nightlife destination is set to add new options for those looking to sip coffee or grab a bite to eat. Three spots are expected to open along Georgia Avenue in the coming months. The owners of Georgia Avenue bars Cafe DaVinci and Persimmon Hollow Brewing Company…
DetailsA new, $1.7 million North Beach Pavilion is officially in the works – the final city project to improve the beach area. The new pavilion, scheduled for completion in 2018, features second-floor views, air-conditioned rooms and about twice the space of the current pavilion, which is not much more than a picnic shelter. The city…
DetailsA watershed moment for Sarasota’s bayfront and our region’s cultural icons could occur Monday. Leaders of Bayfront 20:20, a local movement that has steadily gained community support, will brief the City Commission on its initiative’s status — and seek tentative support for additional steps aimed at proposing a plan for preserving open space on Sarasota Bay…
DetailsPALMETTO – A crumbling seawall turned out to be the catalyst for a project that will significantly alter the appearance and boost the popularity of Palmetto’s riverfront. As early as next month, pedestrians viewing the Manatee River from the rebuilt seawall flanking the Green Bridge will able to step onto artificial reefs and peer below at…
DetailsI would like to challenge the purposes of the Community Redevelopment Agency. It appears the agency is straying from the original purposes of redevelopment. It is providing taxpayer dollars to businesses and entities in direct competition with existing local businesses. Now for some history about redevelopment. Back in the late ‘40s and early ‘50s, the…
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