Mark Cleary, lead architect on all Phase I projects at the Riviera Beach Marina Village, has announced that the Marina Events Center has been awarded a Silver LEEDS Certification. LEEDS, an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. LEEDS provides a globally…
From bike lanes to better drainage, the Town of Lake Park held its second public meeting to reveal plans to improve Lake Shore Drive. At a workshop held at Town Hall, the plans included keeping Lake Shore Drive two lanes, but adding parallel parking on the west side of the street, sidewalks and bike paths,…
Philip Garrett Tampa Bay Times April 5, 2019 Legislation proposed in the Florida House and Senate is threatening the revitalization of communities across the state of Florida. HB 9 and SB 1054 aim to impose crippling limitations in an attempt to impede the creation of new community redevelopment agencies (CRAs) and eventually eliminate existing CRAs…
The city of Lynn Haven is currently operating without an official city manager and Mayor Margo Anderson is wondering if it should stay that way. On Friday, Mayor Anderson posted on her personal Facebook page asking the residents what they think about changing the city’s government The possible change would eliminate the need for a…
Every month, food delivery trucks pull up outside Allegheny County Housing Authority housing units and wait for volunteers to open the doors and begin unloading boxes of goods. It’s mostly produce—cucumbers, green peppers, apples, heads of cauliflower and broccoli. Some have minuscule bruises, others are in good condition but slightly past their sell-by (not expiration) dates. It’s…
The area just north of the City of Miami’s business district also has a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), the OMNI CRA, to focus on the alleviation of slums and blight and the provision of affordable housing. It is also the historic home of many African Americans. This area of Miami appears perfectly safe now, but…
Mitch Perry Florida Phoenix March 22, 2019 For the past two legislative sessions, state Republicans have tried to overhaul what’s called Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs) that finance improvements in blighted areas. The measures haven’t passed, but now there’s a new attempt in the Legislature that’s gaining traction. State Rep. Chris LaMarca, a Republican from Broward…
All seem to agree that Overtown has made admirable progress as it emerges from past public and private neglect and that much of that progress can be attributed to the area’s community redevelopment agency. As the historically Black neighborhood continues to overcome inherent socio-economic challenges, residents agree that they want to see the life of…
BAY COUNTY, Fla. – Construction along Front Beach Road will continue, thanks to a little help from the Florida Department of Transportation. The front beach road CRA started its work in 2002, completing several projects so far. The project improves water, sewer, power systems and also adds things like public transit and sidewalks. Currently, the third leg…
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…
The dream of building a place where people can come, stay and enjoy Vilano Beach’s unique barrier island community, and where people who live on the island can enjoy new amenities has been shared by past and potential business developers. Soon, the dream will become reality with the addition of two new hotels in Vilano…
LARGO — As more emphasis is placed on the future of downtown Largo, the scope and budget of a project that aims to make roadway and multimodal improvements to that section of West Bay Drive are getting larger. A representative from the engineering consultant tasked with creating the design plans, Pennoni Associates, presented city commissioners…
