Your Weekly FRA Update:

March 12, 2026

CALL FOR SESSIONS: The 2026 FRA Annual Conference is scheduled for October 20-23 at the Sunseeker Resort, Charlotte Harbor, and planning is well underway. The FRA would like you to submit your ideas for speakers and topics for this year.

Topic ideas could include: Affordable Housing, Capital Stacking, Communications and Disseminating Information, Community Policing, Extending CRA, Grand Opportunities for CRAs, Housing Rehabilitation & Accessibility, Live Local Implementation, and Mobility.

If you have knowledge of one of the above topics or another topic, please fill out the online submission form by clicking on the link below.

Please complete the form no later than Friday, March 13, 2026.

We value your input and want to hear your ideas.

FRA Members - submit your "Why Join The FRA" quote by sending a short quote and your headshot to Merrily Bennett at mbennett@flcities.com.

The next FRA Academy Course is "Budgeting, Funding, & Reporting" on March 27 in Orlando, so sign up today!


This is a core course and includes:

- Budgeting theory and principles (revenues, best practices, types)

- Increment revenue financing

- Grants and outside resources (CDBG, HOME, SHIP, Ezones, non-profits)

- Cost sharing

- Developer extractions (impacts, infrastructure, payment in lieu of taxes)

- Public-private partnerships

- CRA record management/reporting requirements

The FRA Academy is a unique educational program designed to promote a prerequisite level of knowledge and professionalism in the field of community redevelopment.

Five questions and five answers from the FRA Board of Directors. See what Antranette's superpower is!

🏆 2025 FRA Award Winner Showcase: Outstanding New Building Project – Small City

City of Bradenton, Florida - Government Community Redevelopment Agency – Astoria on 9th

Bradenton’s new affordable senior housing community has recently opened with great enthusiasm and featured a visit from a celebrity who helped bring the project to life. The 120-unit, $37.4 million Astoria on 9th collaborated with AM Affordable Housing, a nonprofit founded by Alonzo Mourning, NBA Hall of Famer and Miami Heat legend. “These are not just apartments,” Mourning said. “They’re homes.” Project partners include the Bradenton Community Redevelopment Agency, Housing Trust Group, AM Affordable Housing, Manatee County, the City of Bradenton, Fifth Third Bank, Raymond James, the State Apartment Incentive Loan, and the National Housing Trust Fund.

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!

FRA 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 Walton Beach CRA Highlights Downtown with New Welcome Sign

CRAs build better communities! #redevelopmentworks



A recent project by the City of Fort Walton Beach’s Community Redevelopment Agency is lighting up the city’s downtown…literally.

In 2025, the City of Fort Walton Beach leased a small triangle of vacant land that was located in a high-visibility area along U.S. Highway 98 in the downtown district. The dilapidated property consisted of an old building foundation, surrounded by dirt and weeds.

After acquiring the property, the City’s CRA put out the call for artists to submit proposals for a new welcome sign that would greet visitors and highlight the downtown area and businesses.



Mural Artist Christina Donahoe of Christina Custom Art submitted a design that was selected from a field of 46 entries and received $5,000 for her efforts.

Read more here

New! Beloved Wynwood Restaurant to Reopen After Four Years

CRAs build better communities! #redevelopmentworks



Kush Hospitality founder Matt Kuscher announced that the Kush burger and craft beer concept will reopen in Wynwood next summer after a four-year construction project. The new restaurant will anchor a mixed-use development with a bar, commercial space, and residential units, including affordable housing supported by the Omni Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). The menu will feature popular items from across Kush Hospitality’s restaurants.

Kuscher said the goal is to recreate the atmosphere of the original Wynwood location and build “a lasting Miami institution that could remain a neighborhood staple for decades.”

Read more here

New! Sanford Set to Break Ground on $5.3M Fort Mellon Park Project

CRAs build better communities! #redevelopmentworks



The City of Sanford will break ground on a $5.3 million project at Fort Mellon Park to build a new amphitheater and improve the surrounding landscape, including enhancements to Lake Carola. The project is funded through a partnership between the City of Sanford and the Sanford Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and will create a modern event space integrated with the park’s historic layout. Construction is expected to take about six months.

Read more here

New! $850,000 in Federal Funding Announced for Affordable Housing in Lake Worth Beach

CRAs build better communities! #redevelopmentworks



Federal and local officials announced an $850,000 investment to expand affordable housing in Lake Worth Beach. The funding will allow the Lake Worth Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) to purchase and redevelop blighted and vacant properties into affordable housing for renters and first-time buyers. Projects planned along L Street and K Street include affordable arts lofts and other below-market units aimed at residents earning under 80 percent of the area median income.

Read more here

$26 Million Sprowls Horizon Sports Park Now Open in Pinellas Park

CRAs build better communities! #redevelopmentworks



Pinellas Park’s Community Redevelopment Area has played a key role in the transformation of a long-underutilized property into the new Sprowls Horizon Sports Park, a $26.5 million, 40-acre youth sports complex designed to drive economic activity and community revitalization.

Located within the redevelopment area, the project replaces an aging, piecemealed facility with a cohesive, master-planned campus featuring six baseball and softball fields, a turf soccer field, plaza and concessions, playground, and a rebuilt outdoor hockey rink.

Backed by $13.5 million in state appropriations secured with the support of former House Speaker Chris Sprowls, and enhanced by a $100,000 contribution from the Tampa Bay Lightning, the park positions the CRA to attract regional tournaments, increase visitation, and generate new spending at nearby businesses.

The project earned statewide recognition from the Florida Redevelopment Association with the Roy F. Kennedy Award for Creative Project Funding and Development Partnership, highlighting it as a model for leveraging partnerships and public investment to achieve long-term redevelopment goals.

Read more here

Boca Raton CRA Approves Redesigned Downtown Hotel and Seven-Story Garage

CRAs build better communities! #redevelopmentworks



Boca Raton city council members, in their role as the city’s community redevelopment agency board, gave their first stamp of approval to a major redesign of the Royal Palm Place Hotel project, trading a previously approved “parking plaza” for a seven-story garage to offset soaring construction costs.

The decision on Monday marks a significant departure from the 2022 vision for the site at South Federal Highway and Southeast Third Street.

Developers told the board that the original plan for underground parking is no longer economically viable because of rising costs, prompting a shift to a massive above-ground structure.

Read more here

Senate Passes Bill to Move Forward with Florida Museum of Black History in St. Augustine

CRAs build better communities! #redevelopmentworks



In the making since 2023, legislation is now pressing in the Florida Legislature that will lay the foundation for the new Florida Museum of Black History to be built in St. Augustine.

Greg White with the Community Redevelopment Agency once rode a bus to Tallahassee that memorably caught fire on I-10 as supporters were on their way to pitch the museum to state leaders.

St. Johns County was later chosen as a site for the museum by the Florida Museum of Black History Task Force.

“It means the revitalization of historic West Augustine,” White said.

The location brings meaning back to the old Florida Memorial University property, where the museum will be built.

Read more here

Jobs

New! Community Redevelopment Administrator – Town of Lake Park

📍 Location: Lake Park

💼 Position Type: Full-Time

💰 Salary Range: $118,452.72 – $189,524.36

📊 Pay Grade: 170

⚖️ FLSA Status: Exempt

This position is open until filled. First review of applications will take place on March 9, 2026.

The Town of Lake Park Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is seeking an experienced and strategic Community Redevelopment Administrator to lead redevelopment initiatives and oversee daily CRA operations. This leadership role is responsible for advancing redevelopment projects, managing CRA programs and staff, and implementing initiatives that strengthen the physical, economic, and social vitality of the CRA districts.

The Administrator works closely with the CRA Executive Director and the CRA Board to guide redevelopment strategy, oversee fiscal management, coordinate capital projects, and ensure compliance with Florida’s Community Redevelopment Act and all applicable regulations.

Read more here

Director, Housing & Economic Development – City of North Miami Beach

📍 Location: North Miami Beach, FL

💼 Position Type: Full-Time

💰 Starting Salary: $127,216.50 – $182,607.41 Annually

📅 Closing Date: Open Until Filled

The City of North Miami Beach is seeking an experienced and visionary Director of Housing & Economic Development to lead initiatives that strengthen the local economy, expand housing opportunities, and support sustainable community growth.

This executive-level position provides leadership and strategic direction for the City’s Housing & Economic Development Department, overseeing programs and initiatives designed to foster business development, improve housing accessibility, and enhance the overall economic vitality of the community. The department works to cultivate a thriving business environment while promoting entrepreneurship, workforce development, and long-term economic sustainability.

Read more here

CRA Manager/Assistant City Manager – City of Crescent City

📍 Location: Crescent City, FL

💼 Position Type: Full-Time

💰 Starting Salary: $60,000 Annually

📅 Closing Date: Open Until Filled

The City of Crescent City is seeking a dynamic and forward-thinking CRA Manager / Assistant City Manager to lead redevelopment initiatives and help shape the future of the community. This position plays a critical leadership role in coordinating economic redevelopment activities citywide, with a primary focus on the City’s Community Redevelopment Areas (CRA).

Under the direct supervision of the City Manager, this role blends economic development strategy, project management, and executive-level municipal leadership — including assuming full City Manager responsibilities during periods of absence.

Read more here

Finance & Compliance Officer – City of Pensacola

Starting salary: $79,684.80 – $92,632.80 (depending on experience)
Deadline: 3/13/2026 11:59 PM Central

JOB SUMMARY/OVERVIEW OF THE POSITION: The Finance & Compliance Officer performs professional work overseeing financial compliance, accounting operations, and contract administration for the City of Pensacola’s Economic Development Department, with a special emphasis on redevelopment initiatives managed by the CRA. This role maintains audit-ready records, manages internal controls, ensures compliance with applicable laws and grant requirements, and provides financial oversight for large and complex projects.

Read more here

City Planner - City of Brooksville

Starting Salary: $68,087.07 (Effective October 1, 2025)

The City of Brooksville offers 20 days of PTO in the first year (with rollover), 12 paid holidays plus 2 floating holidays, flexible scheduling (for eligible departments), Florida Retirement System participation, employer-paid health coverage, and up to $5,250 per year in tuition reimbursement.

This professional planning role focuses on land use, zoning, and community development. Responsibilities include research and data analysis, preparing reports and GIS maps, presenting to boards and committees, and supporting comprehensive planning and redevelopment efforts. The position is designated as essential personnel and requires participation in emergency operations and required training.

Candidates should have knowledge of urban planning principles, strong research and communication skills, GIS proficiency, and the ability to manage multiple projects while working collaboratively with staff, officials, and the public.

Read more here

Building Inspector - City of Brooksville

Starting Pay: $60,320 per year (commensurate with experience)

The City of Brooksville offers a competitive benefits package, including 20 days of PTO in the first year (with rollover and increased accrual over time), 12 paid holidays plus 2 floating holidays, flexible scheduling for eligible departments, participation in the Florida Retirement System, employer-paid health coverage, and up to $5,250 annually in tuition reimbursement.

This position performs technical inspections of building construction, alterations, and repairs to ensure compliance with applicable codes and safety standards. Responsibilities include reviewing construction plans, conducting on-site inspections, issuing permits, documenting findings, and working with contractors, architects, and engineers to address violations and ensure projects meet structural and legal requirements.

Candidates should have knowledge of building construction methods, applicable codes and ordinances, and state statutes related to construction and licensing. The role requires the ability to interpret plans, identify violations or hazards, maintain accurate records, enforce regulations professionally and impartially, and build effective working relationships with staff, contractors, and the public.

Read more here

Principal Site Planner – Palm Beach County

Join Palm Beach County’s Planning, Zoning and Building Department as a Planning Division Principal Site Planner, and help guide the future growth of our community.

Key Responsibilities:

· Provide leadership and supervision to professional and technical personnel within the Planning Division.

· Oversee project assignments and ensure high-quality performance and results.

· Assist in administering the Planning Commission, an advisory board to the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners.

· Apply planning principles and methodology in the formulation of various studies and projects.

· Draft and review correspondence, staff reports, conditions of approval, ordinances, resolutions, and comprehensive plan policies.

· Review and manage Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Atlas amendments, and develop recommendations.

· Manage and perform research and data analysis of social, economic, and physical trends, and report results.

· Review and develop presentations on planning topics for public hearings and community meetings.

Position is open until filled.

Read more here

Assistant Director – Main Street DeLand Association

SALARY & BENEFITS

$42,000 – $50,000

Paid Time Off & Paid Holidays

Health & Retirement Benefits

DESCRIPTION

The award-winning MainStreet DeLand Association is seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to serve as its Assistant Director with a strong focus on communications and organizational development. The Assistant Director works collaboratively with staff and volunteers to fulfill our mission to support and enhance the continuing economic development of downtown DeLand. This position works directly with the Executive Director to operate in a highly creative environment, utilizing administrative and project management skills which are key in the Main Street Four-Point Approach and the MainStreet DeLand mission and purpose. This is a full-time, in-office and in-field senior-level position reporting directly to the Executive Director. The Assistant Director is the second in command of the agency, with the anticipation of fulfilling the Executive Director position in any event which would prevent the Executive Director from fulfilling standard duties and responsibilities.

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

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

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

CRA Consulting Services – Bradenton Beach CRA (updated info and new date)

The City of Bradenton Beach CRA is looking to hire a consultant (or more than one) to help with things like:

• Reviewing and possibly updating the current Community Redevelopment Plan
• Confirming or clarifying the CRA’s boundary lines
• Helping carry out the redevelopment plan
• Finding and applying for grants
• Making sure the CRA stays compliant with state laws

They plan to award a “continuing services” contract, which means the consultant(s) will be hired as needed and given specific tasks over time. There’s no guarantee of a minimum amount of work.

Proposal deadline:

Proposals must be delivered to the City Clerk at 107 Gulf Drive North, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217 by 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.

A public opening of the proposals will take place at the same time and location (City Hall Chambers).

Read more here

General Planning Services Re-bid – Bradenton Beach CRA

The City of Bradenton Beach is looking to hire qualified consultants to provide general planning services.

They plan to award a continuing services contract to one or more firms. This means:

• You’ll be hired on an as-needed basis.
• The City will issue specific task orders over time.
• There is no guarantee of a minimum amount of work.

Deadline Details

• Proposals must be delivered to the City Clerk at 107 Gulf Drive North, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217
• Due by 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2026
• Late proposals will not be accepted — no exceptions.

A public opening will take place at 2:00 p.m. the same day in the City Hall Conference Room.

Read more here

Notice Of Disposal of Property In A Community Redevelopment Area

Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 163.380(3)(a), Florida Statutes, that the City of Homestead Community Redevelopment Agency (“CRA”) is the owner of and intends to dispose of an interest through a long term lease or potential sale in 3 contiguous parcels located at 204, 220 and 230 N Krome Avenue, Homestead, Florida, 33030 respectively (collectively, the “Properties”).

The Properties provide 174 feet of frontage on N Krome Avenue and are improved with buildings of the following respective sizes:

Folio 10-7813-016-0040  204 N Krome Avenue – 10,500 SF

Folio 10-7813-016-0030  220 N Krome Avenue – 3,213 SF

Folio 10-7813-016-0020  230 N Krome Avenue – 5,685 SF

Any party interested in acquiring an interest in the properties, whether through long-term lease or potential sale in the Properties, or portion thereof, for purposes of developing a restaurant, bar, entertainment, or related commercial downtown use is hereby notified that proposals to acquire the Properties must be made and submitted directly to: Homestead Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)

Read more here

MORE FRA RESOURCES

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