BROOKSVILLE – As one of their last officials acts, the Hernando County Commission this week awarded Len Sossamon a four-year contract extension as county administrator and economic development director, much to the chagrin of a few government watchdogs and the two new commissioners who take office next month. The action, backed by strong words from…
The city commissioners look like they have found their next city manager – again. During a special meeting Tuesday night, the City Commission voted 5-0 to offer the city’s top appointed position to Thomas Ernharth, 51, the current city manager of Starke. “As far as looking down the list, he seemed to hit all the…
The city has approved an employment contract with its new city manager, who starts the job on Nov. 21 while making the move from Gainesville, where he previously served as city manager. The City Council unanimously voted on Monday to approve the contract of Russ Blackburn with little discussion. He will be paid a base…
Survivors rebuilding their lives from Hurricane Hermine have until Monday, November 28, to register for federal disaster assistance. The storm caused widespread damage along Florida’s western coastline, and the State of Florida, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continue to support individual and family recovery efforts. Individuals who…
On Tuesday, November 15, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to deny a proposed change in law that would have allowed development of 1,999 homes on 1,400 acres of property in rural east Orange County, beyond the Econlockhatchee River. If approved, the rule changes would have been a departure from planning practices Orange…
On November 8, 2016 the Murdock Village CRA and the Charlotte County Board of Commissioners approved a purchase and sale agreement with Private Equity Group LLC for 452 acres of property in the Murdock Village Community Redevelopment Area. The agreement puts in motion a development that is projected to create up to 2,400 residential units,…
LAKELAND — The City of Lakeland is transforming nearly two acres of land near downtown into a hub for artists. Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency funding project Hub will be called ‘Mass Market’ Facility will also include events space, gallery for artists “Mass Market,” as the hub will be called, is a $2.5 million project funded by…
MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. – “I see mega-growth here. There’s more and more condos, more subdivisions,” said Jane, a lifelong Bradenton resident. That’s what Jane has witnessed, and she feels there’s a lot more of the same by the year 2037. For her friend Pat, she’s seen the same growth in a part of Manatee County…
Chipley’s Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Steering Committee met in another round of discussion this week to develop strategies for improving the Historic Downtown Business core. Concerned with the declining viability of the old business community, CRA members are looking for ways to attract both businesses and visitors to the area. Read full article
The owner of the proposed iPic luxury movie theater in downtown Delray Beach received a seventh extension of a purchase contract from the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency. The agency extended the contract until Jan. 31 to allow time to reach an agreement with the city on the parking garage. “I feel strongly we need to…
When city leaders embarked on a multimillion-dollar beautification project along Federal Highway 12 years ago, their goal was to create an inviting atmosphere to emulate the charm of Atlantic Avenue. Since then, locals are pleased. And this week city officials learned that the Florida Redevelopment Association has recognized the project as an outstanding redevelopment achievement in…
A cool commercial project here, another there. That’s great. But it’s easy to miss the critical mass gathering in Tampa Bay without looking at the area’s best and biggest commercial real estate developments now under way (or about to be) at the same time. Wow! From the frenzy of downtown projects in Tampa and St.…
