The city of New Port Richey bought the Harry Schwettman Education Center from the Pasco County School Board in September but has not decided what to do with the property. At its Sept. 5 meeting, the city council, acting as the Community Redevelopment Agency, heard from CRA Executive Director Debbie L. Manns. She told the…
A series of vacant storefronts in Downtown Homestead will soon be transformed into an entertainment and dining destination thanks to the revitalization efforts of the Homestead Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). The CRA recently purchased multiple retail storefronts on Krome Avenue north of Second Street in Downtown Homestead in the hope of attracting partners with significant…
Two development companies asked for $22.4 million in increment tax rebates from the City of Fort Myers, in exchange for building new housing and commercial projects. The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) commissioners had lots of questions, but granted the rebates, to be paid over a period of time. First Alessio Development wanted $11.4…
The Florida Department of Transportation has awarded a $700,000 grant to the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) to permit the TECO Line Streetcar to remain fare-free for an additional year. The streetcar has routinely logged ridership records since FDOT awarded HART a $2.7 million Innovation Grant in 2018, enabling the streetcar to be fare-free and increase frequency and…
The multi-million-dollar reconstruction of Park Avenue is proceeding close to schedule, as evidenced by the hard-working crews who have been seen laying the thousands of bricks that will eventually form the surface of the new street and parking spaces. The new high-quality clay-brick pavers were selected as the most durable and traditional surface for the…
The High Springs Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) met on Aug. 24 to address an update of the CRA’s Façade Grant Program and consider hiring a lobbying group to work with the City. City Manager Ashley Stathatos discussed the new application for the Façade Grant program and requested an increase in the amount of matching grant…
McDowell Housing Partners (MHP) has completed construction of Ekos Magnolia Oaks, a 110-unit affordable housing community including 1 Bedroom/1 Bath – 30 Units; 2 Bedroom/2Bath – 65 units; 3 Bedroom/2 Bath – 15 Units, catering to families in Tallahassee, FL. Apartments are reserved for families earning at or below 33%-60% of the area median income…
Walking across the heavily traveled Collins Street in downtown will soon get a little easier. At its last meeting, the Community Redevelopment Agency adopted a resolution approving a budget adjustment to appropriate $30,000 for pedestrian crossing improvements at Collins Street and J Arden Mays Boulevard. The crosswalk will feature pedestrian buttons and a solar-powered flashing…
The city has committed $25 million to the arts complex, which Thursday secured an extension to meet its contract requirements. Less than three weeks before a deadline, the Straz Center has secured a two-month extension to fulfill its contractual requirements with the city for its multimillion-dollar expansion. Tampa’s downtown Community Redevelopment Area committed $25 million…
After approximately $2 million in renovations, the City of Margate has unveiled a new Serino Park located at 5600 SW 8th Court. The Margate Community Redevelopment Agency funded the upgrades as part of its public purpose to improve parks, playgrounds, and other municipal facilities. Single-family homes surround the neighborhood park. The initial proposed renovations included a…
Just days before thousands of students will fill its halls, Miami Dade College Homestead Campus and the City of Homestead celebrated the grand opening of the Student Success Center. The new, modern facility serves as a connection between Downtown Homestead and the MDC Homestead Campus serving both the student and business communities. Dozens of…
You’ve probably heard of development grants, activities, and events sponsored by the “Downtown CRA” or the “DDB,” but you may not know what they are. A CRA is a “community redevelopment agency,” and it is a tool urban planners and local governments use across the country to help redevelop struggling or blighted urban areas. They were…
