State legislators are considering a bill that could redirect millions of dollars earmarked for improving “blighted” local communities. The proposed bill, House Bill 13, would eliminate Community Redevelopment Agencies, governmental bodies created to promote affordable housing, economic development, health and safety in under-served neighborhoods. In a nutshell, a CRA holds on to a set percentage of the property…
Some of the biggest names in national and regional real estate development recently took center stage at the Hilton West Palm Beach to discuss why they are making such significant investments in the city and its Downtown. The West Palm Beach Development and Investment Forum drew nearly 350 guests and was co-hosted by the Urban…
With a focus on continuing to foster revitalization in the Greater Frenchtown/Southside and Downtown districts, today’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting included discussion and decisions on a number of items. The CRA Board, which is comprised of the Tallahassee City Commission and four Leon County Commissioners, approved the purchase and sale agreement with North American…
Despite concerns from residents and even themselves, Boynton Beach’s elected officials gave Davis Camalier and his development team their first approval to build Ocean One, an eight-story apartment building with retail spots and a parking garage at Federal Highway and Boynton Beach Boulevard. The commissioners approved rezoning the land, which would match surrounding residential developments.…
Home rule is a hot topic in Tallahassee this legislative session, and last week Lakeland City Commissioners Don Selvage, Jim Malless and Bill Read went to the Capitol to register their complaints with a few bills that infringe on the city’s ability to self-govern. We have already criticized one of their targets: HB 17, introduced…
Orlando is seeking contractors to build single-family homes on public land in Parramore, a $1.8 million effort to add affordable housing to the long-blighted downtown neighborhood west of Interstate 4. The city plans to sell the homes to low-income families by offering interest-free loans for down payments that the buyers may never have to repay.…
While much attention is revolving around Imagine Clearwater, a planned redevelopment of the city’s downtown and waterfront, in recent months, a separate effort to rezone a major stretch of U.S. 19 is quietly moving forward. In fact, the same night (Feb. 2) the Clearwater City Council approved the Imagine Clearwater project, the U.S. 19 plan…
As Coconut Grove regains its appeal as a thriving commercial district, two of the neighborhood’s deepest-rooted developers are transforming a 1980s-era parking garage into a contemporary mixed-use building that will meet growing demand for office space and prime retail. Developed by Terra in partnership with Mayfair Real Estate Advisors, the Touzet Studio-designed complex — named…
Mayor Nick Girone said a request from a resident to consider holding certain council meetings throughout the year at venues other than city council chambers got him thinking that it wasn’t a bad idea. So when it came time for choosing a place for the city’s first ever State of the City address and Town…
City officials from across the state will gather next week in Tallahassee to discuss the latest issues and developments affecting municipalities and how they are being addressed in Tallahassee during the current legislative session. These issues are all part of the Florida League of Cities 2017 legislative agenda. With numerous bills filed this session that…
Since the Florida Legislature began its session, the city of St. Augustine has been watching. St. Augustine officials are pushing for infrastructure funding as well as tracking about 40 bills to see what might become law and impact life locally, including bills threatening community redevelopment agencies. The session kicked off on March 7, and St.…
A landmark is reduced to rubble. Chunks of cinder blocks lie on the ground like crumbs. All that remains of the iconic mural on what used to be The Shelter is a jagged brick wall. The streetscape at Macomb and Tennessee streets is forever changed. Demolition crews spent two weeks working and knocking down the last…
State legislation that could end new projects by Jacksonville’s Downtown Investment Authority – and hundreds of similar agencies statewide – alarms their supporters and sparks debate about Tallahassee’s control over redevelopment. Bills to phase out what the state calls “community redevelopment agencies” are filed in both chambers of Florida’s Legislature. The more sweeping of those…
After the Downtowner electric cart service left for Tampa, the city of Boca Raton has jump-started three proposed plans to move people around downtown without using their cars. One option is exploring if the city’s special events contract with Limousines of South Florida can be expanded to provide a circulator. “We have the option…to get…
City Hall will hold the first of three public meetings on the future of the TECO Line Streetcar tonight with an eye on expanding and improving the service. The streetcar should be used more than it is, Mayor Bob Buckhorn said in announcing the forum, so, “We are taking a hard look at its future.…
After previous estimations targeted the start of this month for when a defunct, multi-parcel property in downtown Pensacola could officially transfer ownership to a development group seeking to revitalize it, several more weeks must pass before the transaction can take place. The Escambia County School District’s former headquarters at 213 W. Garden St. still awaits remediation before the school district…
Davis Camalier has owned the land at the southeast corner of Boynton Beach Boulevard and Federal Highway for years, and is finally ready to build. He hopes to start with an eight-story apartment building and retail stores, and later add a hotel and condos. But some residents, a former city commissioner and another developer see…
Hours after officials cut the ribbon on Orlando City Soccer Club’s new stadium last week, business was steady at J. Henry’s Barber Shop across Church Street. Wearing an Orlando City cap and shirt as he worked, the shop’s namesake boasted of the construction workers he’s turned into regular customers. He’s hoping to find more clients among the game day crowds.…
Three companies submitted qualifications for planned downtown streetscaping improvements and all three will be invited to entertain questions on Tuesday morning from the Bradenton Downtown Development Authority’s selection committee. The committee met Thursday to outline goals of the project and how the process will move forward. DDA board member Mike Carter said there is no…
Downtown Bradenton’s riverfront is about to experience another surge of redevelopment. On Tuesday, the Bradenton City Council selected the construction firm NDC to construct a parking garage at what is now the parking lot behind City Hall at Third Avenue West and Main Street. The council also chose the architectural firm Fawley Bryant to design…
County officials are whittling down the list of possible areas to improve railroad crossings as train traffic is expected to rise with increased freight transportation and the addition of All Aboard Florida’s Brightline passenger trains next year. The Community Redevelopment Agency board on Monday prioritized improvements at crossings near schools, Golden Gate and downtown Stuart after hearing recommendations for…