Kokolakis Contracting’s Artisan Apartment Home project won first place in the “FGBC Certified Green High-Rise Residential” category. This is an annual award given by the Florida Green Building Coalition for the highest scoring project in the entire State. This success starts with a community, and its leaders, who value and support sustainable development. It requires…
On August 23, 2018, the Florida Municipal Loan Council announced the closing of its 27th series of fixed-rate bonds, issuing $7.595 million of bonds. Using the FMLC’s bond program, the Series 2018A bonds were issued on behalf of the City of Bradenton to finance the construction of a public parking garage. Located in downtown Bradenton,…
Letter from Richard J. Reade, Village Manager of the Village of Palm Springs, to the House Local, Federal and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee of the House State Affairs Committee on HB 9 (LaMarca) / March 5, 2019: Good Afternoon Chariman Payne, Vice-Chairman Rommel and Representative Silvers and Members of the House Local, Federal and Veteran’s Affairs Subcommittee, On behalf…
Letter from Kim Glas-Castro, AICP LEED AP, Planning, Zoning & Building Director for the Village of Palm Springs, to the House Local, Federal and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee of the House State Affairs Committee on HB 9 (LaMarca) / March 5, 2019: As a professional planner who works for a municipality, in addition to serving as Vice Mayor…
Letter from Cheri Donohue, Temple Terrace City Council Member, to the House Local, Federal and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee of the House State Affairs Committee on HB 9 (LaMarca) / March 4, 2019: My City is undergoing a transformation due to the benefits and structure of a CRA. A blighted shopping center will soon become a mecca for…
Florida Politics – Sixty Days for 3.4.19 March 4, 2019 Lawmakers are taking another stab at overhauling community redevelopment agencies (CRAs). Republican state Rep. Chip LaMarca, of Lighthouse Point, and Thonotosassa Republican state Sen. Tom Lee have filed legislation that would bring more accountability and transparency to CRAs, which target slum and blight at the local level. The Florida League…
On Tuesday, March 5, the House Local, Federal and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee of the House State Affairs Committee (scheduled for 1 PM at the Capitol) will consider HB 9 (LaMarca). The way this bill is currently drafted, it would significantly limit the formation and continuation of Florida Community Redevelopment Agencies. Please email or call the…
Last November, Boynton Beach city officials held a watch party to demolish its city hall building to call attention to their ambitious $250 million Town Square project, which includes a new City Hall, along with a library, hotel, cultural center, amphitheater, apartments, parking garages and a fire station. The big project is proof of a…
DAYTONA BEACH — Back in 1982, the Volusia County Council agreed to let Daytona Beach designate 499 acres of its downtown as a community redevelopment area until 2012. It was understood the designation would need to remain in place for a good stretch of time to have a shot at eradicating blight in the redevelopment…
DUNEDIN — In what seems to many as three decades that have flown by, Dunedin’s downtown has been transformed into a showpiece and model for other cities to try to copy, an economic engine for the city and Tampa Bay tourist attraction. Downtown’s funding source, its Community Redevelopment Agency, celebrated its 30th anniversary Feb. 16…
Florida Community Loan Fund has joined forces with New Jersey Community Capital and Central Florida Foundation to address the needs for affordable rental housing in Orlando’s Parramore neighborhood. These 3 organizations invested $8 million to form the Parramore Asset Stabilization Fund (PASF) and have purchased 83 scattered-site residential units across 44 different properties. This unique…
HAINES CITY, FL – In the Florida based “City of Angels,” Haines City, a unique art experience is taking place. The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) launched a citywide arts initiative, Haines City WINGS, to engage residents and visitors in the selfie-crazed world. This mural project, Haines City WINGS, is a community arts engagement program organized…
