Post In Depth: How safe are you going out in downtown West Palm? (Video)
Downtown West Palm Beach is a mecca of activity for all ages with shopping, dining and a nightlife scene where violent crimes are a rarity if not unheard of. Read full article
West Palm Beach downtown waterfront demolition nearly complete
WEST PALM BEACH — The demolition of a dozen buildings on South Flagler Drive alarmed some nearby residents that yet another development project might be in the works near Family Church Downtown at First Baptist. But the church says they need to have faith. Read full article
West Palm Beach parking garage could get new life downtown
WEST PALM BEACH — A proposal for an iconic downtown garage of world-class design got an informal go-ahead Monday despite reservations by some commissioners that they should consider other priorities first. Community Redevelopment Agency Executive Director Jon Ward had proposed the project at Banyan Boulevard and Olive Avenue, next to the former city hall site,…
Demolition of historic Belleview Biltmore Hotel begins
BELLEAIR — The once-proud Belleview Biltmore Hotel, admired in its day as the White Queen of the Gulf, is coming down. Demolition crews have begun the months-long task of stripping and razing the 118-year-old hotel complex. The abandoned hotel property will make way for a town house and condominium community that JMC Communities plans for…
Temple Terrace’s redevelopment director offers confident vision for ‘City Center’
TEMPLE TERRACE — As a boy growing up in Columbus, Ind., Martin Hudson passed the time in church drawing cities on the back of the programs. So, planning Temple Terrace’s downtown — which to date has given a headache for the City Council — is fun for him. “Not only is it fun; we can…
Fix-it-up Program launched in Lincolnville CRA
Less than a year after it was launched, the Lincolnville Community redevelopment Agency’s (LCRA) first major initiative is already paying divi- dends in the community. Called Fix-It-Up the grant program helps homeowners make needed improvements on their homes. Earlier this spring, 64-year-old Lincolnville resident Willie Brown was the grant program’s first recipient when repairs were…
Boynton historic site makes ‘top places’ list, but not for good reason
BOYNTON BEACH — Boynton Beach’s historic high school, Miami’s Coconut Grove Playhouse and Merritt Island’s Elliot Plantation all have something in common, and it’s not a good thing. The three historic sites are on the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2015 list of the 11 most endangered historic places. Read full article
Pinellas County may create first CRA in Lealman
LEALMAN — About three years ago, a county study identified the five poorest areas in Pinellas. Now Pinellas officials are considering trying something new — for them — to help lift the people in one of those areas out of poverty. If creating a community redevelopment area works in unincorporated Lealman, it could be expanded.…
Manatee County: Inward-bound development Young adults lead a push for safe, affordable urban housing
For decades, discussions about housing development in Manatee County have focused on accommodating suburban-style development. Among the results: Suburbia is sprawling eastward, farther and farther from the county’s historic core. With the exception of master-planned Lakewood Ranch, the typical development is low density, dominated by single-family housing in subdivisions disconnected from commercial and community venues.…
Venice parking option is back in play
VENICE – An old idea became new again as the Venice City Council decided to explore buying property to expand parking options. During a special meeting Wednesday to review funding big-ticket items over the next five years, the council decided the best place for a parking structure, or simply a parking lot, might be the…
Boynton councilman won’t vote to renew CRA director’s contract
BOYNTON BEACH — It’ll be months until Boynton Beach officials decide whether to renew the Community Redevelopment Agency director’s contract, but one city commissioner is already saying he won’t, unless her performance changes. At Tuesday’s CRA board meeting, Commissioner and CRA Board Member Mack McCray said he won’t attend private meetings with CRA Director Vivian…
Bradenton officials will take up vote to disband CRA boards and consoldiate them under city control
BRADENTON — Bradenton officials Wednesday agreed to move forward with a vote to disband city community redevelopment agencies in favor of one CRA board, which would be made up of the Bradenton City Council. CRAs receive specific tax increment funds to pay for projects within district boundaries. The primary goal of each CRA is to…