Your Weekly FRA Update:

November 13, 2025

We hope you enjoyed the 2025 FRA Annual Conference!


• To view the FRA Award winners, click here
• To view the FRA Conference presentations, click here
• To view Jeff Speck’s Keynote presentation, “The Walkable City,” click here
• (Note: these slides are for educational use only and should not be republished or reproduced without written permission.)
• To view the FRA Conference gallery with group and individual photos, click here
• To view the FRA Conference dropbox folder with all content for Florida Cities, click here

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!

New! YouRx Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting – Tallahassee CRA

CRAs transform communities #redevelopmentworks



Tallahassee CRA Board Members and staff were delighted to attend the YouRx Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting that took place on November 12, 2025. As part of Bond Community Health Center’s mission, YouRx Pharmacy will offer compassionate, community-centered care and help bridge the gap in health equity for underserved populations.


On August 22, 2024, the Tallahassee CRA awarded a Medium-Large Redevelopment Project grant for the Bond Community Health Clinic to assist with exterior and interior renovations to the property located at 1549 S. Monroe Street. 

Read more here

New! Fort Myers Approves Funding for Downtown Trolley Routes

CRAs transform communities #redevelopmentworks



The Fort Myers City Council on Nov. 3 approved an interlocal agreement with Lee County to continue operating the free seasonal trolley routes serving the downtown River District.

Routes 500 and 505 will run from Nov. 20 through April 22, 2026. The total cost of $711,867 will be funded by a $355,933 Florida Department of Transportation grant, $268,130 from the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency, $84,804 in developer contributions and $3,000 from the city’s general fund.

Lee County will provide four trolleys operating daily from about 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The service will not run on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day.

Read more here

New! West Palm Beach’s Historic Sunset Lounge Set to Open

CRAs transform communities #redevelopmentworks



After a 3-year-long battle over who would operate the historic Sunset Lounge in West Palm Beach, the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is now in charge after it decided not to negotiate any longer with Vita Lounge, and the venue is set to finally open next week.

A spokesperson with the City of West Palm Beach tells me this is an active legal process. Right now, the city owns the Sunset Lounge, but the CRA operates it.

Vita Lounge won the original bid to run the lounge in 2022 but was disqualified, then put back in charge after a judge’s ruling. The city and Vita Lounge negotiated for months on how to reopen and run the Sunset Lounge, but the city finally lost patience and voted to end the conversation. The sunset lounge is set to open next Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. The “Soul in the City” concert series will now be held at the Sunset Lounge.

Read more here

Tampa CRA Earns Top Honors at 43rd Annual Planning & Design Awards

CRAs transform communities #redevelopmentworks



The City of Tampa’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) took home four top honors at The Planning Commission’s 43rd Annual Planning & Design Awards last week. The annual event recognizes projects that enhance quality of life, strengthen economic development, and preserve the region’s natural and historic assets.

This year, the Tampa CRA was recognized for its commitment to revitalization, innovation, and community impact through the following award-winning projects:

Kid Mason Community Center Renovations (Downtown CRA)

The Skills Center (East Tampa CRA)

Historic 7th Avenue Bricking Project (Ybor City CRA)

Union Station Improvements (Downtown CRA)

Read more here

City of Kissimmee Announces Grant Programs to Enhance Properties, Fund New Police Officers

CRAs transform communities #redevelopmentworks



The City of Kissimmee announced late last week it has expanded its Residential Property Improvement Program (RPIP) to include the Vine Street Community Redevelopment Agency (VSCRA) and updated it for the Downtown Community Redevelopment Agency (DKCRA), enhancing support for local homeowners.

Additionally, a Department of Justice grant will provide $750,000 to fund six new sworn Kissimmee Police Department officers.

Thanks to the RPIP, eligible homeowners within the city’s CRA boundaries can receive reimbursable grants not to exceed $5,000 over five years to exterior improvements to single-family homes and duplexes. The downtown CRA has been amended to allow multiple grants, city officials have announced.

Eligible improvements, which must be visible from the public right-of-way, include costs associated with exterior painting, pressure cleaning and fascia repair; landscaping improvements like those related to new irrigation systems and related enhancements; front porch or deck additions and repairs; new exterior lighting fixtures (new, not older repaired ones); driveway repairs or resealing; new door, awning or windows installation and chain link fence removal.

Read more here

CRA authorizes negotiations for North Greenwood container‑village project, $500,000 in CRA funding proposed

CRAs transform communities #redevelopmentworks



The Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency voted Jan. 13 to authorize the CRA executive director to enter negotiations with the Clearwater Urban Leadership Coalition (CULC) for a lease and development agreement to create a mini container-village on four adjoining parcels at the northeast corner of North Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Tangerine Drive.

CRA assistant director Anne Lopez told trustees the parcels total 0.347 acres; one parcel is owned by the CRA and three are city‑owned (the city parcels would be declared surplus at a future date if negotiations succeed). The coalition’s proposal envisions five shipping containers configured to host roughly 15 small businesses, with the coalition managing operations under a proposed five‑year lease and responsibility for utilities, property taxes, insurance and maintenance. Staff said the CRA has $500,000 allocated for the project and that eligible costs would include purchasing containers, design, permitting and construction tied to project milestones.

Read more here

Jobs

City Manager – City of Avon Park

The City of Avon Park is looking for a City Manager!

SALARY: $100,000 to $130,000 DOQ

DEADLINE: Apply by November 30.

The City of Avon Park has a Council-Manager form of government whose Council includes the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor, and three Council members. The Council appoints the City Manager to oversee the administration of the City’s day-to-day personnel and operational activities for a full range of municipal services including fire, public works, parks and recreation, utilities (water and wastewater) and a general aviation municipal airport.

The City has an approved FY2025/26 total budget of $ 70,246,760.00, including a General Fund of $ 16,999,100.00, and employs a workforce of 99 full-time employees.

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

MORE FRA RESOURCES

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