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…
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…
The 2018 Legislative Session concluded with no changes passed to the laws that govern Community Redevelopment Agencies! We want to thank our intrepid lobbyists, our members, our community leaders and the citizens of Florida for believing in #CRAs statewide. You are the reason #RedevelopmentWorks. To learn more about the 2018 session, read our latest newsletter here!
CRA Board Approves the Purchase of 19 Housing Units at Town Park Plaza North The Southeast Overtown / Park West Community Redevelopment Agency (“CRA”) can now add homeownership opportunities to its list of goals for Overtown. On March 1, the CRA Board of Commissioners approved $700,000 to purchase nineteen (19) townhouses at Town Park Plaza…
UPDATE ON CS/CS/HB 883 House Vote March 6, 2018 The final vote on CS/CS/HB 883 (the CRA issue) is expected to take place this week. The Call to Action is to OPPOSE the “Caldwell Amendment” that contains the CRA language, which is proposed to be added to the bill – the amendment contains some…
Treasure Coast Newspapers Editorial Board Treasure Coast Newspapers Feb. 28, 2018 Sometimes, legislative bills metastasize. Case in point would be Florida House Bill 883, which started out as a measure designed to expand Community Development Districts, or CDDs, which are created by property owners who then sometimes use the CDD to borrow money, make improvements,…
Gabby Baquero OrangeObserver.com Feb. 14, 2018 ORANGE COUNTY – Local government leaders have accused state lawmakers of seeking to pass numerous bills — both in the 2017 and 2018 legislative sessions — that aim to erode home rule. And municipal leaders said they have had enough of Tallahassee’s continual attack on their authority and ability…
Steve Leary Orlando Weekly Feb. 15, 2018 Twenty years ago, crime and blight plagued an area west of Winter Park’s Park Avenue. It wasn’t a place you’d want to hang out after dark. But today, its residents and visitors linger into the evening at sidewalk cafes while locally owned businesses flourish behind restored facades. These…
David Minksy Miami New Times Feb. 12, 2018 The craft beer industry is so popular in Miami that many of the surrounding cities want a slice of the action. Among them is North Miami Beach, which announced January 18 that it created the state’s “first” brewery district. The city changed the zoning code for its redevelopment…
Peter Schorsch Florida Politics Feb. 9, 2018 For your radar — The Redevelopment Works campaign, spearheaded by the Florida Redevelopment Association (FRA), is spreading awareness about the importance of Florida’s community redevelopment agencies (CRAs), which are currently under attack by legislation under consideration in the 2018 session. In a video recently unveiled as part of the initiative, community…
Michael Volk Gainesville Sun Feb. 6, 2018 As a resident of Gainesville, I have witnessed firsthand the encouraging impact and positive effects resulting from projects spearheaded by Gainesville’s community redevelopment agency (CRA). Newly renovated areas — such as Depot Park, Bo Diddley Plaza and the Helyx Bridge — have attracted significantly more residents, tourists and…
