City of Orlando staff presented updates on upcoming projects listed in the DTO Action Plan. They say that funding comes from the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). David Barilla, who is part of Orlando’s Downtown Redevelopment Board and CRA, says the plan is to make downtown a walkable city. “We wanted to make sure that we…
Kissimmee city commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday evening to renew the contract for a free downtown ride service that has seen significant ridership growth since its launch in 2023. The city’s contract with Freebee, a microtransit service that offers free rides in Tesla Model X vehicles throughout downtown Kissimmee, was up for renewal at a cost…
The City of Sanford, in partnership with the Sanford Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), is excited to announce a new collaboration with Retail Strategies to provide virtual, no-cost, on-demand Small Business Support training for small, locally owned businesses throughout the City of Sanford. This innovative support program offers business owners convenient access to self-paced training videos,…
Riviera Beach leaders have approved a nine-month study of how to make it easier for city residents to use public transportation. Why it matters: As Riviera Beach grows, there will be more places to go and more traffic trying to get there. What’s happening: The City Council serving as the Community Redevelopment Agency board approved…
The Edison Awards’ vision for an Innovation Walk connecting downtown Fort Myers to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates is advancing after years of planning and community engagement, according to Edison Awards CEO Frank Bonafilia and Fort Myers City Councilman Liston Bochette. The concept, which Bonafilia said originated from “the Edison Awards years of experience, incredible…
In an exciting step forward for the City of Lauderdale Lakes, four local families have successfully purchased their new homes with the support of the Lauderdale Lakes Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). This achievement comes as part of the CRA’s Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program, an initiative designed to help individuals and families realize their dream of…
The Lauderdale Lakes Community Redevelopment Agency purchased a 0.22-acre property with a deteriorated building that was later demolished to make way for a pocket park. The community recognized the opportunity to design this new space – now called Trailhead Park. The park offers diverse recreational activities and enhances the existing greenway trail network. Inspired by…
The Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (BBCRA) marked a significant milestone in the transformation of Boynton Beach Boulevard with the commencement of the demolition of the former Inn at Boynton Beach on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. The press-only groundbreaking ceremony, coined, “The Inn is OUT,” commemorated the clearing of the 2.11-acre property, which is prominently…
Builders broke ground last week on The Ballad Hotel, a redevelopment project along the downtown Clearwater waterfront. The 10-story, 158-room hotel overlooking Coachman Park and Clearwater Harbor is part of a 230,000-square-foot, mixed-use development, the city said in a news release. The development will feature ground-level restaurants and retail along Osceola Avenue, a rooftop bar,…
Last week, downtown Clearwater witnessed the inaugural step towards a major development project with a ceremonial groundbreaking for The Ballad Hotel. This venture, sprouting in the heart of the city, is a joint effort backed by city officials, the Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency and various project partners such as the DeNunzio Group, KAST Construction, Behar…
Downtown Orlando is about to look different in the next couple of years, with four massive developments moving forward simultaneously. From a Church Street revamp to reimagining the old Orlando Sentinel site, the city is gearing up for one of its biggest transformations in decades. Yehya Rizeq, who owns Crepe Delicious of Church Street, says…
Secretary of State Cord Byrd announced that Park Avenue District, located in Winter Park, Orange County, has been designated the December 2025 Florida Main Street Program of the Month. “It is fitting to recognize this Main Street Program in December,” said Secretary of State Cord Byrd. “With a variety of Christmas and Chanukah celebrations, visiting…