Your Weekly FRA Update:

January 8, 2026

Save the date for the Florida Redevelopment Association for the 2026 Annual FRA Conference in Charlotte Harbor, Florida, from October 20-23 at the Sunseeker Resort. The conference will feature invited redevelopment speakers and panelists sharing best practices, reviewing legislation impacting CRAs in Florida, and networking opportunities to meet other redevelopment professionals. 

The FRA Annual Conference is the perfect event for elected officials, agency or government staff, redevelopment consultants, and vendors. We look forward to seeing you in beautiful Charlotte Harbor in October 2026.

🏆 2025 FRA Award Winner Showcase: Creative Project Funding and Development Partnerships – Large City

City of Pinellas Park – Sprowls Horizon Sports Park

In 2022, the City of Pinellas Park identified an untapped opportunity: the need for a premier sports destination that could serve not just its residents but also the wider Tampa Bay Region. The Sprowls Horizon Sports Park is planned to have turf practice fields, a turf football field with Olympic materialized rubberized track, a playground inside the complex, and multiple fields to be utilized for sports such as lacrosse, soccer, cheerleading, football, and track and field. Overall, the Sprowls Horizon Sports Park will act as a catalyst for economic and social enrichment in Pinellas Park.

FRA Member News

The FRA features member news in our weekly newsletter and on our social media channels - make sure you are following the FRA social media feeds to see CRA member posts; plus you can share news from the FRA's "Redevelopment Works" campaign!

Members - share your stories and successes with the FRA - email us at fra@flcities.com and include a description or press release, and a photo!



New! Fort Myers Innovation Walk Moves Forward with Master Plan Development

CRAs build better communities! #redevelopmentworks



The Edison Awards’ vision for an Innovation Walk connecting downtown Fort Myers to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates is advancing after years of planning and community engagement, according to Edison Awards CEO Frank Bonafilia and Fort Myers City Councilman Liston Bochette.

The concept, which Bonafilia said originated from “the Edison Awards years of experience, incredible network of innovation leaders and a vision on what could be done to continue the legacy of innovation in Fort Myers,” was first presented to business and city leaders in 2020, just before Hurricane Ian.

“We envisioned and presented the Edison Awards Innovation Walk along the riverfront leading from Centennial Park to the Edison and Ford Winter Estate,” Bonafilia said.

The project faced initial challenges as city officials focused on hurricane recovery efforts and needed time to understand the economic benefits of the innovative tourism concept,” he said.

After receiving a small grant from the Community Redevelopment Agency in December 2023, the Edison Awards began community outreach. The CRA has now secured money for a comprehensive master plan and selected Perkins&Will, a Florida-based design firm, to lead the project development.

Read more here

New! Finding Better Ways to Get Around Riviera Beach

CRAs build better communities! #redevelopmentworks



Riviera Beach leaders have approved a nine-month study of how to make it easier for city residents to use public transportation.

Why it matters: As Riviera Beach grows, there will be more places to go and more traffic trying to get there.

What’s happening: The City Council serving as the Community Redevelopment Agency board approved the mobility study by a 4-1 vote on Dec. 10. Council Member KaShamba Miller-Anderson voted no, saying she supports a mobility study but not the consultant selected.

What they’re saying: “This project is probably as important or more important than bringing a building out of the ground,” Council Member Glen Spiritis said at the meeting. “Without this mobility project, we will have no development. It will never work.”

Read more here

Lauderdale Lakes CRA – Trailhead Park

CRAs build better communities! #redevelopmentworks



The Lauderdale Lakes Community Redevelopment Agency purchased a 0.22-acre property with a deteriorated building that was later demolished to make way for a pocket park. The community recognized the opportunity to design this new space – now called Trailhead Park. The park offers diverse recreational activities and enhances the existing greenway trail network. Inspired by local youth, a mural was created to reflect the natural elements of the trail and the ongoing transformation of Lauderdale Lakes. What was once a blighted site has now become a lively gathering place that brings people and places together. Trailhead Park was recently adopted by the Kiwanis Club of Lauderdale Lakes. As part of the program, the Kiwanis Club will work in collaboration with the City of Lauderdale Lakes to maintain the park.

Read more here

Lauderdale Lakes CRA Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program Helps Four Families Achieve Homeownership

CRAs build better communities! #redevelopmentworks



In an exciting step forward for the City of Lauderdale Lakes, four local families have successfully purchased their new homes with the support of the Lauderdale Lakes Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). This achievement comes as part of the CRA’s Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program, an initiative designed to help individuals and families realize their dream of homeownership. The Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program, provides financial assistance to help with closing costs, down payments and mortgage interest rate buy-down. These funds were critical in enabling the recipients to secure a home in Cassia Commons, a newly developed residential area within the CRA district. Cassia Commons, developed by Pulte, is one of the latest additions to the City’s real estate offering and represents a vita part of the continued growth and development of Lauderdale Lakes.

Read more here

The Inn at Boynton Beach Demolition Marks Major Milestone in City’s Revitalization

CRAs build better communities! #redevelopmentworks



The Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (BBCRA) marked a major milestone in the transformation of Boynton Beach Boulevard with the demolition of the former Inn at Boynton Beach on December 17, 2025. The press-only event, titled “The Inn is OUT,” celebrated the clearing of the highly visible 2.11-acre site at Boynton Beach Boulevard and I-95, adjacent to ongoing FDOT interchange improvements.

All members of the Boynton Beach City Commission attended, showing unified support for redeveloping this key gateway. The BBCRA purchased the property on October 1, 2025, for $8.1 million as part of its long-term corridor redevelopment strategy. After evaluating the structure, demolition was determined to be the necessary first step.

The project received a $75,000 Blighted and Distressed Property Clean-Up Grant from the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County to help offset demolition costs. Clearing the site positions the property for future private investment and aligns with the City’s Master Plan to enhance mobility, urban design, and corridor vitality.

Read more here

West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Celebrates Sunset Lounge Historic Restoration

CRAs build better communities! #redevelopmentworks



West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) proudly announces the completion of the long-awaited renovation of the iconic Sunset Lounge. Located on 8th Street in the heart of the Historic Northwest District, the venue has long been a cultural cornerstone for the community.

Originally a premier destination for African American music in the 1940s and 1950s, the Sunset Lounge hosted legends such as Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louis Armstrong at a time when segregation denied many Black performers access to mainstream venues. More than a nightclub, the Sunset Lounge served as a vibrant gathering place that nurtured pride, creativity, and connection within the neighborhood.

Today, the fully restored Sunset Lounge honors this remarkable legacy while embracing a new era. The project includes a two-story expansion, transforming the venue into a 20,000-square-foot cultural hub featuring a restaurant, bar, rooftop lounge, and state-of-the-art event amenities.

Read more here

Jobs

New! HCD Grants Manager – Miami Dade County

Job Opening Number: 98320

HCD Grants Manager

Salary Range: Entry $95,948.03 – Max $157,336.27

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree. Four years of professional administrative experience to include grants management, data and performance systems management, and/or financial and performance systems management is required.

Recruitment Notes: This position is part of the Community Development Division within the Department of Housing and Community Development and reports to the Division Director. The incumbent is responsible for managing the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development’s (HUD) Integrated Disbursement and Information Systems (IDIS) for the Department. 

Closing Date:

1/16/26

Read more here

New! Division Director 2, HCD – Miami Dade County

Job Opening Number: 97962

Division Director 2, HCD

Salary Range: Entry $119, 213.85 – Max $199,590.00

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree and five years of experience in affordable housing, community development, economic development or lending experience are required.

Recruitment Notes: This position is responsible for leading the Community Development Division within the Department of Housing and Community Development and reports to the Assistant Director of the Office of Strategic Initiatives and Planning. Within this Division, this position provides leadership and direction to the Planning and Portfolio Management Units. The role will benefit from experience with federal, state, and local housing and community development programs, including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP), and Documentary Stamp Surtax funding. 

Closing Date:

1/13/26

Read more here

Planner III, Urban Design – City of Hollywood

Location: Boynton Beach, Florida

Reporting to the Manager of Planning or Principal Planner, the Planner III is a senior staff member, that is responsible for project managing complex planning applications, reviewing, circulating, and providing Professional Planning opinions on development proposals and strategic land use studies with respect to City requirements in conformity with City Codes, City and County Comprehensive Plans and relevant State Statutes. The Planner III – Urban Design, is a key member of the planning team responsible for advancing urban design initiatives and enhancing the public realm within the municipality. This role focuses on translating urban design principles into tangible projects that promote placemaking, walkability, and quality of life.

An employee in this class is responsible for the study, evaluation, compilation, and presentation of data attendant to a municipal urban design program. Work involves individual or team participation in the development of major planning reports deliverables. Functional supervision is received from an administrative superior through consultation and review of completed work.

Starting Salary For Position Is Within $74,503.30 – $90,000 Annually Dependent On Qualifications

Closing Date:

1/30/2026 at 11:59 PM

Read more here

Planner III, General – City of Hollywood

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Manager of Planning or Principal Planner, the Planner III is a senior staff member, responsible for project managing complex planning applications, reviewing, circulating, and providing Professional Planning opinions on development proposals and strategic land use studies with respect to City requirements in conformity with City Codes, City and County Comprehensive Plans and relevant State Statutes. professional-level work in urban planning, developmental review, land use and data analysis. Planner IIIs assists in current and long-range urban planning efforts, including development review and the project management of strategic planning studies in support of new and updated programs and regulations.

An employee in this class is responsible for the study, evaluation, compilation, and presentation of data attendant to a comprehensive municipal planning program. Work involves individual or team participation in the development of major planning reports deliverables. Functional supervision is received from an administrative superior through consultation and review of completed work.

Starting Salary For Position Is Within $74,503.30 – $90,000 Annually Dependent On Qualifications

Closing Date:

1/30/2026 at 11:59 PM

Read more here

Executive Director – Boynton Beach CRA

Location: Boynton Beach, Florida

Redevelopment Management Associates (RMA) provides management services for the Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). RMA oversees CRA operations, redevelopment planning, financial management, and implementation of district revitalization strategy.

The Executive Director will manage a team of Community Redevelopment Agency employees and will report to both the RMA Principal Owner in Charge and the Boynton Beach CRA Board.

Salary will be based on experience and qualifications.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Executive Director is responsible for the day-to-day management and operations of the Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). This includes fiscal oversight, capital project administration, redevelopment program management, property acquisition/disposition, economic development initiatives, and activities intended to improve the physical, economic, and social character of the CRA districts. The Director ensures compliance with the CRA Redevelopment Plan, Florida Statutes Chapter 163, Part III, and all applicable local, county, state, and federal regulations.

Read more here

City of Largo – Economic Development Manager

Closing: Continuous

Salary: $74,318 – 127,816 USD Annually

Job Summary:

This is responsible professional and managerial work related to the development and implementation of economic development plans, programs and services, annexation program, and administration of the City’s two Community Redevelopment Districts. Work requires considerable independent judgment following established guidelines, codes, rules, and policies. The work is performed under the general direction of the Community Development Assistant Director.

Read more here

Haines City - CRA Manager

·    Community Redevelopment Agency

·    Haines City, FL, USA

·    $79,149.41- $114,632.10 per year

The City of Haines City is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applicants for all positions equally without regard to their race, sex, age, color, religion, creed, national origin, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. The City of Haines City is a Drug-Free Workplace. Applicants who complete the initial screening process will be required to complete a pre-employment drug screen and physical. Police Department applicants will also be required to take a Polygraph Examination. All information provided by an applicant will be verified for truthfulness and accuracy if a conditional offer of employment is made. Applications and other submitted documents are considered public records.

Position open until filled.

Read more here

City of Palatka – CRA Coordinator

CRA Coordinator; City of Palatka, FL

Salary range: $55,468 to $81,900

Open until filled

Position Summary Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The CRA Coordinator is responsible for administrative work in administering the economic renewal and redevelopment of CRA District in Palatka. The person is responsible for analyzing, synthesizing, and developing revitalization strategies and recommendations in consultation with the appropriate official and advisory bodies and coordinating their implementation to achieve project goals as defined and determined by the CRA Board. This position reports to the City Manager or their designee.

The purpose of the CRA revitalization effort is to develop and implement a strategy for economic development and historic preservation in the CRA business district. There are four general work elements that guide this approach to CRA revitalization.

Read more here

Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) and Economic Development Coordinator – Pinellas County

Location: Lealman Exchange, 5175 45th Street N, St. Petersburg, FL 33714

Starting salary expected to be within $71,115 – $92,435.20, based on experience

Schedule: Generally 8 to 5, Monday through Friday, occasional meetings or events on evenings and weekends. This is not remote work, but can accommodate remote work for a day or partial day if it makes sense depending on outside meetings scheduled or other reason.

Do you want to make a real impact in a community? As the CRA Coordinator, you will lead the revitalization of the Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) by attracting new investment and supporting existing businesses and business expansion. This role is a unique opportunity to shape the future of a community by focusing on economic development and community redevelopment. You will serve as a primary point of contact for residents, business owners, and local partners, turning their input into actionable, community-focused projects.

This is a critical role within the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area (CRA), reporting directly to the Community Coordinator.

Read more here

Assistant Director of Community Development Services – City of Wilton Manors

The Assistant Director of Community Development Services supports the strategic direction, leadership, and daily operations of the City of Wilton Manors’ Community Development Services Department. This position assists in overseeing planning and zoning, permitting, building and economic development. The Assistant Director plays a key role in implementing department policies, coordinating interdepartmental projects, managing personnel, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Working closely with the Director, this position helps guide sustainable growth and community enhancement in alignment with City goals. The ideal candidate will be a forward-thinking leader with strong technical expertise and the ability to foster collaboration among staff, developers, residents, and other stakeholders. Reports to the Community Development Services Director.

Read more here

RFPs / RFQs / LOIs

Invitation to Negotiate for the Development of Affordable/Workforce Infill Housing – BBCRA

Issue Date: December 12, 2025

Submittal Deadline: February 10, 2026, 2 PM EST

The Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (BBCRA) is issuing this Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) for the acquisition and redevelopment of the infill lots located in Boynton Beach, Florida; as referenced and identified on Attachment “A,” Parcel Descriptions/Maps, and hereinafter collectively referred as the “Project Site.” The BBCRA will accept sealed responses to this ITN (“Proposals”) at its office located in City Hall at 100 E. Ocean Avenue, 4th floor, Boynton Beach, FL 33435 ON OR BEFORE February 10, 2026, no later than 2:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), as determined by the time stamp or clock at the BBCRA’s reception area.

Read more here

MORE FRA RESOURCES

Thank you for supporting Florida redevelopment! Have questions or news to share? fra@flcities.com