Hillsborough County’s bus agency has approved spending up to $2.5 million in state grant money to study the possibility of a special bus lane connecting downtown Tampa and the University of South Florida. The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority board voted unanimously Monday to allow consulting firm Tindale-Oliver and Associates to start the first phase…
With all the talk of the urban core’s massive development over the last few years, we wanted to quantify exactly how much it has changed. The Tampa Downtown Partnership and HCP Associates, a marketing consulting company based in the Channel District, have partnered on the Worker-Resident Biennial Survey every two years since 2008 to learn more about who…
Under the leadership of the Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA Board Chairman Keon Hardemon and the CRA board, the SEOPW CRA has partnered with the City of Miami Department of Housing & Community Development to construct a Twin Homes affordable homeownership project to be located at 1900 NW 2nd Court, Miami, FL 33136. On May 16,…
On May 2 more than 100 interested people attended an open house presentation about the proposed 10th Avenue West Complete Street Project. Jennifer Marshall, left, projects manager for the Florida Department of Transportation District 1 10th Avenue West Complete Street Project, poses with Palmetto Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant during a community informational open house on…
Since its inception in 1984, the Riviera Beach CRA has used every available resource to create jobs, advance infrastructure and improve the quality of life in the City of Riviera Beach, Florida. On its latest list of initiatives is encouraging residents to mark their valuable and meaningful belongings using an easy-to-use chemical coding kit that…
The Panama City Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRA) in Millville and Downtown North are partnering with World Changers and First Baptist Church in Panama City to help homeowners in the CRA areas make improvements to their homes. The CRA is currently accepting applications from homeowners in the Millville and Downtown North CRAs. World Changers is designed…
As the 2019 Legislative Session wraps up, we wanted to express our appreciation to FRA members for your excellent and diligent advocacy on behalf of the great things about Florida CRAs for the last three years, especially through our #RedevelopmentWorks campaign. CS/HB 9, a limited version of previous proposals, passed the Senate and House this week.…
Florida Community Loan Fund has announced closing on a New Markets Tax Credit Transaction with Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, to build a new family teen center. Here are links to more information: FCLF E-newsletter May 2019, FCLF & NMTC Financing Help Make Family Teen Center a Reality FCLF Meet Our Borrower:…
Most media reports about Detroit sound the same to Aaron Foley. A journalist might fly in for a day or two. They might speak with a few “Detroit experts,” a short list of economists recycled in all the major news outlets. But Foley says these writers don’t really know Detroit, and it shows. “People try…
Brian Sedar wants 5G access in San Francisco’s Upper Cole Valley neighborhood, where he lives. But then came the new utility pole with a bulky gray box that blemished his once-pristine views of the historic St. Ignatius Church and the waters of the San Francisco Bay. With the support of 115 neighbors, Sedar, a former…
In the most recent newsletter from Pinellas County, various topics are addressed and discussed. Take a look by clicking here.
Michael Beedie Northwest Florida Daily News April 21, 2019 Despite the benefits that community redevelopment agencies (CRAs) provide to cities across Florida each day – from public safety to infrastructure improvements – these agencies are widely misunderstood. This legislative session, bills have been filed in the Florida House and Senate (CS/HB 9 and CS/SB 1054)…
Lewis, Longman & Walker received the 2019 Business of the Year Award from the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches. LLW accepted the award at the Annual Business Awards Breakfast last week at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. Every year the Chamber recognizes a business that has achieved remarkable results and accomplishments within…
Mark Cleary, lead architect on all Phase I projects at the Riviera Beach Marina Village, has announced that the Marina Events Center has been awarded a Silver LEEDS Certification. LEEDS, an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. LEEDS provides a globally…
From bike lanes to better drainage, the Town of Lake Park held its second public meeting to reveal plans to improve Lake Shore Drive. At a workshop held at Town Hall, the plans included keeping Lake Shore Drive two lanes, but adding parallel parking on the west side of the street, sidewalks and bike paths,…
Philip Garrett Tampa Bay Times April 5, 2019 Legislation proposed in the Florida House and Senate is threatening the revitalization of communities across the state of Florida. HB 9 and SB 1054 aim to impose crippling limitations in an attempt to impede the creation of new community redevelopment agencies (CRAs) and eventually eliminate existing CRAs…
The city of Lynn Haven is currently operating without an official city manager and Mayor Margo Anderson is wondering if it should stay that way. On Friday, Mayor Anderson posted on her personal Facebook page asking the residents what they think about changing the city’s government The possible change would eliminate the need for a…
Every month, food delivery trucks pull up outside Allegheny County Housing Authority housing units and wait for volunteers to open the doors and begin unloading boxes of goods. It’s mostly produce—cucumbers, green peppers, apples, heads of cauliflower and broccoli. Some have minuscule bruises, others are in good condition but slightly past their sell-by (not expiration) dates. It’s…
The area just north of the City of Miami’s business district also has a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), the OMNI CRA, to focus on the alleviation of slums and blight and the provision of affordable housing. It is also the historic home of many African Americans. This area of Miami appears perfectly safe now, but…
Mitch Perry Florida Phoenix March 22, 2019 For the past two legislative sessions, state Republicans have tried to overhaul what’s called Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs) that finance improvements in blighted areas. The measures haven’t passed, but now there’s a new attempt in the Legislature that’s gaining traction. State Rep. Chris LaMarca, a Republican from Broward…
All seem to agree that Overtown has made admirable progress as it emerges from past public and private neglect and that much of that progress can be attributed to the area’s community redevelopment agency. As the historically Black neighborhood continues to overcome inherent socio-economic challenges, residents agree that they want to see the life of…