Lake Wales City officials and residents gathered Friday morning at the intersection of Florida Avenue and F Street in the Northwest Neighborhood to celebrate the upcoming sidewalk and street-tree planting project with a groundbreaking ceremony. City Commissioners, CRA officials, employees, and contractors posed for photos during a groundbreaking marking the start of a million-dollar sidewalk…
The restoration of Opa-locka’s Company Administration Building, once used as a city hall, is nearing its completion. The building, whose Arabian-style minarets and pink domes symbolize Opa-locka, is expected to be finished by mid-fall. For the first time since 1940, when the city took ownership from the Opa-Locka company, the historic site will operate as…
The Lake Placid Community Redevelopment Agency that meets Wednesday evening will be different from past CRAs. The Lake Placid Town Council in June agreed to add two new members to the CRA board, which before that vote consisted of four council members and Mayor John Holbrook. The two new members – Frank Hartzell, owner of…
The City of Tampa’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is pleased to announce the launch of the Housing Rehabilitation & Renovation Program (HRRP). The program aims to provide financial assistance for the renovation and repair of homes within the City of Tampa’s CRA Districts, ensuring safe and secure housing for all residents. Some eligible repairs that…
During the recent Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board meeting, Newberry Senior Planner Uma Sarmistha unveiled a proposal for a mural program aimed at enhancing the downtown Newberry area. Sarmistha’s presentation included slides showcasing several buildings that would serve as ideal canvases for murals, along with artist renderings that provided examples of potential artwork. Sarmistha detailed…
Located in West Palm Beach, the ongoing revitalization of the historic Northwest Neighborhood should serve as an example of what could happen in Jacksonville’s Historic Eastside as a result of Community Benefits Agreement funding. Located just northwest of Downtown West Palm Beach, the Northwest Neighborhood is a historic Black community that was first settled in…
Mayor Garrett Anderson asked if Holiday, who was terminated Friday, was requesting the board to approve one of the three alternatives. Holiday responded that yes, Funding Alternative 1 for $25,000 would be a grant funding request toward the Lakeside Historical Society “to use as directed.” Anderson asked if Buhr had reviewed the documentation of these…
The purpose of Florida’s Community Redevelopment Act of 1969 is to remove slum and blight from municipalities. In accordance with this act, the City Commission of Plant City established a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) in 1981. The 1969 act allows communities to increase property taxes to finance improvements in a specified area. Plant City put…
The Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency is looking to purchase two homes on North Kentucky Avenue. City commissioners are expected to vote Monday on a proposed purchase agreement for the Lakeland CRA to buy 914 and 918 N. Kentucky Ave. from Gospel Inc. for a total price of $180,000. “This is purely an opportunity purchase,” said Valerie…
A Miami-based developer has formally submitted plans to the City of St. Petersburg that, if approved, would add a 49-story Waldorf Astoria-branded condominium tower to the downtown skyline. According to documents obtained by the Catalyst, the mixed-use development would soar 534 feet above 150 2nd Avenue South. That would make it the tallest building in St. Petersburg. Katie Cole,…
Construction of phase two of Tucker Ranch Park and Nature Preserve in Winter Garden will commence next month. The new 25.6-acre amenity (Tucker Ranch Holistic Health, Wellness, Teaching Farm and Family Activity Center) will be carved out of the existing 209-acre park. An onsite groundbreaking ceremony for phase two of the park will be held…
The City of Cape Coral’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is planning to purchase nearly 19 acres of land to the east of Bimini Basin in a strategic move to revitalize this part of the city. The CRA Board is set to vote on this item at a special meeting Wednesday, Aug. 7, at 4 p.m.…
