AVON PARK — It is a pleasure to recognize Gerald Snell as our Unsung Hero for September. Snell, an Avon Park native, is a vital part of his community, constantly helping his neighbors while reaching out beyond his own circle, volunteering his time and energy. Read the full article.
Community redevelopment agencies (CRAs) are incredibly successful tools for breathing new life into communities that have been neglected or forgotten. Their purpose is to eradicate physical blight in its many forms – through local leadership and a publicly vetted redevelopment plan. There are no state or federal monies spent by CRAs. Revenues used by CRAs…
Winter Haven, Florida, a city of approximately 40,000 in Polk County, was incorporated in 1911. It is located in the midst of Central Florida’s famous Chain of Lakes, a series of 24 lakes that lie at the headwaters of the Peace River basin. In the 1920s and ‘30s, the citrus industry expanded throughout the area,…
Background. Frenchtown Redevelopment Partners, LLC (“FRENCHTOWN REDEVELOPMENT PARTNERS”) is issuing a Request for Proposals for the redevelopment of Frenchtown, a key site in the growing revitalization of Tallahassee, Florida. Frenchtown is a short walk to Downtown and a short bike ride to Midtown and the universities. The Project will consists of approximately 4.55+/- acres of the “New…
FBC 301 focuses on formulating, adopting, and administering a form-based code. The course will offer an in-depth look at the relationship between the comprehensive plan and a form-based code, the mechanics of code adoption, the advantages and disadvantages of mandatory, parallel and floating-zone codes, and ways to avoid common pitfalls in the drafting and administration…
Natalie Kahler Tampa Bay Times Oct. 14, 2017 For the first time in the 17 years I have lived in Brooksville, every first-floor commercial space on Main Street is rented and open for business. The area’s look has changed from that of a rundown ghost town to a professional business district. Our Good Neighbor Trail…
During the recession, southwestern Manatee County experienced plummeting property values as businesses closed and homes went into foreclosure. After the recession, values there were slower to recover than in eastern suburban areas where construction and property sales resumed. Today, numerous commercial properties on major thoroughfares remain vacant in Southwest Manatee and some neighborhoods are still…
One of Florida’s top leaders and expected gubernatorial candidate, Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, is set to speak during the annual conference of the Florida Redevelopment Association – a statewide organization dedicated to assisting Florida professionals and volunteers in community revitalization efforts. Latvala’s plenary session will start at 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 19, and cover…
John Albright, president and CEO of Consolidated-Tomoka Land Co., threw out an audacious idea at Monday night’s monthly meeting of the Beachside Redevelopment Committee. “I think a bold move would be to shut down Main Street and make it pedestrian only,” suggested Albright, who serves as vice chair of the temporary committee. Speaking three days…
On October 23, 2017 the public is invited to attend the first of three community meetings that will focus on the City of Tampa’s Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) Strategic Action Plan for the West Tampa CRA. In 2015 the City of Tampa designated the West Tampa Community Redevelopment Area, per Florida statute. The next step…
San Marco Avenue’s look and atmosphere could be changed by a city effort to update the road’s design standards. The street is one of three entry corridors in the city, along with King Street and Anastasia Boulevard. The city adopted design standards for those streets in 2003, and in 2016 the city decided to update…
The Lake Placid Town Council, in a 2-1 vote, agreed to adopt findings from a study that confirms the town has blight in its downtown area. The study, a “finding of necessity,” is one of the steps toward establishing a Community Redevelopment Agency. Councilwoman Debra Worley was absent from the meeting, despite being a proponent…
