Approve new CRA projects now, lobbyist warns

Tallahassee’s community redevelopment agency better act fast if it wants to get any new projects approved, lobbyist Ron Book warned the City Commission. “The future is not great for new ones,” Book, the city of Tallahassee’s lobbyist said at last week’s meeting. “Any projects in the pipeline … look at them very quickly.” Community redevelopment agencies,…

Quincy Main Street Earns Statewide Recognition

Quincy Main Street has been designated the April 2017 Florida Program of the Month.  Secretary of State Ken Detzner made the announcement last week. According to a press release, communities are selected based on their developmental achievements and participation in the Florida Main Street Program.  Quincy has been apart of the Florida Main Street Program…

Florida Legislators May Eliminate CRA Dollars

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…

CRA Approves Sale of Firestone/Bloxham Annex

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…

Plans for Boynton’s Ocean One, but Big Questions Remain

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.…