Tuesday Lead Letter: Speak up to protect the good work done by community redevelopment agencies

Josh Cockrell Florida Times-Union Jan. 22, 2018 Picture this: A once-vibrant area within a local community overcome with blight and decay. Children no longer able to utilize youth programs. Public parks no longer accessible — even the lighting and infrastructure are considered hazards. Revitalization of these forgotten and neglected areas is made possible through community…

Gainesville’s bright future: A look into the plans of the Gainesville Community Redevelopment Agency

Business Report of North Central Florida Jan. 11, 2018 While the University of Florida helped put the quaint city of Gainesville on the map back in 1853, modern additions to the city have caught the attention of diverse waves of people beyond students, both prospective residents and tourists alike. With Depot Park, Bo Diddley Plaza,…

Guest opinion: Protect our CRAs and support local businesses, too

Judah Longgrear Cape Coral Daily Breeze Jan. 5, 2018 Community redevelopment agencies (CRAs) have been the subject of increased attention and scrutiny in recent months following the introduction of two bills in the Florida Legislature which would enact strict limitations in an attempt to eventually dissolve these agencies entirely. With an influx of competing information…

Avoid overreach on redevelopment agencies

Sun Sentinel Editorial Board Sun Sentinel Jan. 8, 2017 http://www.sun-sentinel.com/opinion/editorials/fl-op-editorial-community-redevelopment-agencies-cras-20180105-story.html Guilt by association is a bad way for the Florida Legislature to make policy. Across Florida are 224 community redevelopment agencies, almost all associated with cities. As the name implies, they seek to improve blighted areas, mostly — but not always — downtowns. One of…

Commentary: Protect our community redevelopment agencies

Christopher Keller Orlando Sentinel Jan. 4, 2018 Applying local funds to solve local issues — isn’t that what it is all about? That is the formula under which community redevelopment agencies operate. It is efficient and extremely effective. Unfortunately, Florida legislators are considering limiting the effectiveness, or in some instances, calling for the elimination of…