Next door to the Westside Skate Shop on U.S. 19, there are a half-dozen vacant storefronts in a nameless strip mall. Business is down because of construction along the road, the shop’s manager says. “This is all going to be an overpass, right?” Brent Sowinski says, gesturing to the road outside. “We’re not going to…
It took the city of Leesburg less than 10 minutes Friday to tear down an abandoned house and lift up an entire city block. A mechanical excavator quickly ripped apart the crumbling, wood-sided house at 130 S. East St., the latest of several badly aged properties the city is destroying in voluntary cooperation with owners…
Demolition of Shell station part of Palmetto’s revitalization efforts PALMETTO – As motorists and pedestrians descend the Green Bridge and enter the City of Palmetto, one of the first things they’ll soon notice is the absence of the former Palmetto Shell gas station building, which sat for four decades on the west side of Eighth…
CRAs in 2012-2017 SFL Economic Development Strategy (Pages 75 and 77) For nearly thirty years in the State of Florida, statutory provisions have existed to allow the establishment of Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRA’s). CRA’s have evolved to represent comprehensive local mechanisms for the planning and implementing of local projects and programs that serve to: 1)…
Fort Lauderdale CRA program opens door to solar energy, savings Next time you drive through downtown Fort Lauderdale, don’t be surprised if you see more solar panels on buildings. Three buildings already have solar awnings, thanks to a Community Redevelopment Agency program that offers grants for beautification and other improvements in economically challenged areas. U.S.…
Major downtown project in Haines City threatens business By Mary Hurst, News Chief Staff HAINES CITY – Lori Booher can’t wait for the new City Hall and Public Library to open downtown – before she is forced out of business. “I hope the new City Hall and library revitalizes downtown,” she said. “Hopefully, we’ll become…
Picture this: Murals to transform blight to bright in Hollywood By Tonya Alanez, Sun Sentinel HOLLYWOOD — Picture downtown’s walls, boarded-up buildings and alleyways as giant blank canvases calling out for vibrant, color-splashed artistic expression. That’s the way the city sees it — and so does Miami-art scenester and abstract cartoon artist David “Lebo” Le…
Downtown Lakeland Parking Fee Doubles to $1 an Hour By John Chambliss, THE LEDGER LAKELAND | The city will increase downtown parking meter rates on Monday from 50 cents to $1 an hour. The change comes nearly a year after city commissioners voted for the increase in the 2012 yearly budget. Kevin Cook, spokesman for…
Hints of BayWalk’s future tenants emerge; foodies will be impressed By Katherine Snow Smith, Tampa Bay Times Staff Writer ST. PETERSBURG — Food enthusiasts may have reason to salivate over the revamping of BayWalk. A gourmet market, an Asian fusion restaurant and a high-end steak house all with ties to celebrity chefs are in the…
Officials concerned about derelict hotels By Phil Attinger, News Chief LAKE WALES – U.S. 27, touted as the backbone of Florida tourism in the 1960s, has a chance to be revitalized. Lake Wales city commissioners have said they want to make their city a gateway for Legoland visitors coming from South Florida. The problem, they…
The Triple Bottom Line Tool helps optimize investments for economic, environmental, and social impact – what’s referred to as the triple bottom line or TBL. Investors, economic development professionals, and decision-makers can use the TBL Tool to: Design economic development investments for maximum returns Consider an economic development investment’s impact on various factors Compare or…
Florida Main Street Conference – Sept: 12-14 Conference Overview FMS and Downtown Dade City Main Street invite you to attend the 2012 FMS Annual Conference and Awards Dinner, September 12-14, 2012. Located in downtown Dade City, the conference will provide attendees with the opportunity to experience this fabulous Main Street Community. The 2012 Florida Main…
