Homeowners in flood-prone neighborhoods in Bonita Springs might be able to sell their properties through a voluntary buyout program run by the city. The state has set aside $75 million to buy property impacted by Hurricane Irma in an effort to reduce flood risk, according to a city news release.The block grant is competitive —…
If you have visited Coral Gables recently, you may have seen the large black-and-white photographs displayed in empty storefronts. All of the subjects, from postal workers to politicians and chefs to booksellers, are exhibiting the universal gesture for quiet. The 75 people in the photos represent the diverse community of Coral Gables and their portraits…
Sarasota – The high cost of living for many people living and working in Sarasota County, but thanks to a new state grant one city on the Suncoast may soon have more affordable housing options. That future development will be built off of West Price Boulevard and Citizens Parkway. North Port generally has the most…
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The city of St. Pete just announced an aggressive plan to stave off gentrification and promote affordable housing as development pushes low- to moderate-income families outside the city limits. “Our plan will provide an increased supply of dwelling units, assist those who want to have homeownership, and help keep families in…
A Pensacola lawsuit could be the first test case for a new Florida law that prevents local governments from regulating tree trimming or removal trees — even “heritage” trees — on residential property. The city of Pensacola is suing the owners of a vacant lot to stop the removal of a heritage tree. Property owners…
CLEARWATER — In 1992, Mayme Hodges became the first and last black woman on the Clearwater City council, and only the third black council member. There hasn’t been a fourth. Zebbie Atkinson IV, president of the Clearwater and Upper Pinellas County branch of the NAACP, hopes changing Clearwater’s voting system would help more black people…
In a partnership with Florida Power and Light, the city of Palmetto is looking to replace several hundred lights and some other utilities across the city to save money and energy.FPL’s Energy Savings Guarantee program allows FPL and the city to make upgrades to water and electric fixtures and use the money saved on bills…
Lynx is receiving nearly $2 million from federal authorities for more sustainable equipment — funds that will go toward zero-emission Lymmo buses. The central Florida bus operator is receiving $1.961 million, to be exact, according to U.S. Representative Stephanie Murphy, D-Winter Park, who announced the news on Twitter Tuesday. Read the full story
CRESTVIEW — The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) met for a special brief meeting Monday night to discuss three new signs for the downtown Crestview District. In January 2018, the process for the gateway sign project began with the presentation to the board of the sign concepts. POLY Engineering, a design firm with the city of…
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Tuesday $16.2 million in awards for 24 small and rural communities across the state through the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The program, administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), helps communities fund infrastructure improvements and housing rehabilitation. The Florida Small Cities Community Development Block…
LABELLE — Hendry County commissioners learned recently that due a grant of $600,000 to the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council, owners of possibly environmentally damaged private properties in Hendry, Glades and Collier counties can apply for aid to clean up the hazards. According to a staff report presented to the Hendry board on July 16:…
Delray Beach is having an identity crisis. It’s transformed into an art and nightlife mecca in the last decade. Now the city is in turmoil over how to sustain the change. It could be the Las Olas Boulevard of Palm Beach County. Or it could drive out what makes it a South Florida hotspot: popular…
