✨ FRA Newsletter Highlights | July 9, 2026 🎥 FRA Webinar Now Available CRA Do’s and Don’ts Missed the live webinar? FRA members can now watch redevelopment attorney Clifford Shepard’s presentation on eligible CRA expenditures, TIF funding, statutory requirements, common compliance pitfalls, and best practices for keeping CRA spending aligned with Florida law. 🌿 Brownfield…
The Palmetto Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) put a spotlight Wednesday on its oyster restoration project along the Manatee River, a multi-month effort researchers say is already helping scientists measure how habitat work can improve water quality. Out on the water, investigators described the site as a real-life “living laboratory,” where they’re not only placing restoration…
A City of Orlando program established in August 2025 has been helping homeless people find permanent housing — not through traditional brick-and-mortar shelters, but through buses. The program, called 407 Connect, is a partnership project involving the city, the Community Redevelopment Agency and the Christian Service Center for the Homeless. The aim of 407 Connect…
Cape Coral’s Community Redevelopment Agency increased its total net position, a measure of assets minus liabilities, by 19% during fiscal year 2025, ending the year with $19.5 million, according to audited financial statements released by the city. The agency reported a $3.1 million increase driven by continued growth in property tax revenue within the redevelopment district, scheduled…
The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is asking the community a deceptively simple question: What makes Fort Myers innovative? Through a new online survey at TheInnovationWalk.com/Ideas, anyone with a connection to the city can name the people, places, ideas, and objects that capture its spirit of innovation. Every submission becomes part of a public gallery…
The Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has released the Midtown draft plan, rounding out the initial updates for each of its redevelopment areas. The Midtown plan was created in 2001, and a gap analysis showed that ~85% of its original goals have been completed. Now, the CRA has four new ones for its largest district:…
The value of all property within the Lake Wales city limits surged past the billion-and-a-half dollar mark at a rate topping other area cities in the past year, according to figures released by the Polk County Property Appraiser’s office. Annexations, new apartments, restaurants, and scores of new homes added $187,209,619 property valuations for the City…
Riviera Beach has won its first All-America City award for its focus on young people and strong neighborhoods. The city is one of 10 selected Sunday by the National Civic League based on progress in bringing people together to build lasting change. An overjoyed Riviera Beach delegation took the stage at the 77th annual award…
While Port Richey’s CRA isn’t set to dissolve until 2032, city leaders are looking for ways to spur major investment before the district’s remaining years run out. At a Community Redevelopment Agency meeting in June, board members approved a revision to the redevelopment incentive policy to include catalytic projects, which are real estate or infrastructure…
After months of research and public feedback, the Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) released a draft of the updated Dixieland district plan — its first update since 2001. Here’s what the draft plan recommends to keep up with Dixieland’s evolution: District definition — Brand the district with a nod to its historic character, add signage throughout the…
✨ FRA Newsletter Highlights | July 2, 2026 🌿 Brownfield Basics Webinar 🗓 July 15 | 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET Join FRA Board Member Miles Ballogg for an informative webinar on brownfield redevelopment, EPA funding opportunities, tax credits, liability protections, and strategies for transforming environmentally impacted properties into productive community assets. FRA members can contact FRA…
McCollum Hall is a two-story building on the corner of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd and Cranford Avenue on the eastern side of downtown Fort Myers, just past the railroad tracks on the western edge of the Dunbar Community. Built in 1938, McCollum Hall was a crown jewel for commerce and entertainment and served…