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September 25, 2025

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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! Tampa Bay Lightning Donate $100K to City of Pinellas Park’s New Outdoor Hockey Rink

CRAs transform communities #redevelopmentworks



The Tampa Bay Lightning today announced plans to re-open an outdoor hockey rink at Sprowls Horizon Sports Park in Pinellas Park. This comes with a $100K grant from the Lightning Foundation.

“The Tampa Bay Lightning and the Lightning Foundation are proud to support the Pinellas Park community through the reopening and enhancement of the outdoor hockey rink,” said Josh Dreith, Director of Community & Hockey Development for the Tampa Bay Lightning. “We look forward to seeing both youth and adults enjoy the game at this vibrant new park.”

Read more here

New! Cocogate Project Could Bring New Mixed-Use Vision to Margate

CRAs create affordable housing opportunities

#redevelopmentworks



A new mixed-use development may be coming to Margate.

During the September 17 meeting, Matthew Scott, a lawyer for White Oak Development Group, LLC, made a presentation to the commission on a development agreement for the Cocogate project.

The property is situated on approximately eight acres, located from 1308 to 1350 State Road 7 in the Margate Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) area. It is identified as a site where redevelopment and reinvestment are encouraged by the city.

An eight-story building with 287 residential units is planned, along with a community pool and other amenities. There would also be additional buildings for retail use.

Forty-one of the residential units would be designated as moderate-income affordable housing units, with 21 of those units to be offered for rent to tenants who qualify as “hometown heroes,” individuals or families where at least one person works as a police officer, first responder, or teacher, according to the representative.

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New! Fort Myers Takes Steps, Again, to Restore McCollum Hall

CRAs reserve and showcase the area’s history and cultural heritage

#redevelopmentworks



An agency of the city of Fort Myers is taking over the planning for how to re-make the historic McCollum Hall.

The city’s Community Redevelopment Agency, CRA, now has permission to spend money to get help with possible plans. The CRA is the owner of the property, just east of the downtown area. The CRA bought the hall about 17 years ago.

The CRA will spend up to $42,600 to pay a company to pull together ideas, and make architectural designs, for McCollum. City council members and the mayor, sitting as the CRA Board of Directors, Wednesday approved a contract with local firm Parker, Mudgett and Smith. The vote was unanimous.

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Panama City Makes Moves Toward Preservation of Historic Downtown School Building

CRAs transform communities #redevelopmentworks



With the old Panama Grammar School up for sale, local officials are thinking of how to pitch into the effort to preserve the structure.

The building at 101 E. Seventh St., Panama City, is an ornate piece of old-Florida architecture. Many old-timers have sentimental attachments to the building, some having even attended school there themselves.

The building was constructed in 1914 and operated as a school until 1965. It was purchased by the First Presbyterian Church, which used the school for a variety of activities.

After Hurricane Michael devastated the area in 2018, the church had to make some tough choices. The church put the old school up for sale in 2019 as it focused on rebuilding its primary facilities.

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Apopka Relaunches Renovation Aid Program for Homeowners

CRAs transform communities #redevelopmentworks



In Apopka, the Community Redevelopment Agency, also known as the CRA, is relaunching a program that helps homeowners with much-needed repairs and upgrades. The agency is putting nearly a million dollars into the effort, all to strengthen neighborhoods and revitalize communities.

Apopka CRA’s Residential Renovation Assistance Program offers eligible homeowners up to $30,000 to help improve their properties.

Antranette Forbes, with the City of Apopka, says for many, that could mean big upgrades.

“Anything from new roofs, to doors, to windows, landscaping, fencing, ADA, driveways,” Forbes said.

The CRA has $900,000 available for owner-occupied homes, duplexes, and townhomes inside the CRA district. The initiative is part of a long-term plan to stabilize neighborhoods and boost property values.

Read more here

‘People’s Bar-B-Que’ Revival Fires Up in Overtown

CRAs transform communities #redevelopmentworks



Overtown may soon again be sizzling with the smell of smoked ribs and soul food staples as the historic People’s Bar-B-Que prepares for a long-awaited revival.

The Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency (SEOPW CRA) has opened a request for proposals (RFP) to lease and operate the historic restaurant site at 350 NW 8th St., reviving a cultural landmark that has been shuttered for years but never forgotten. 

The property, located along Interstate 95 at the main off-ramp into the neighborhood, has deep roots in Miami’s Black history. For decades, People’s Bar-B-Que served pork, chicken, beef, souse, and sides to generations of Overtown families and visitors. 

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Jobs

New! City Manager – Lynn Haven, FL

Employment: Full Time, Exempt

Pay: $140,000 or higher depending on education, skills, and experience.

Deadline: Monday, October 13, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. CST.

 

The City of Lynn Haven, Florida, is a thriving and fast-growing community located in the heart of Bay County along the beautiful Emerald Coast. With a population of approximately 20,000 residents, Lynn Haven is recognized for its strong sense of community, family-friendly atmosphere, and commitment to excellence in public service. The City provides a full range of municipal services—including public safety, utilities, parks and recreation, public works, and community development—while fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, and innovation. Guided by a Commission–Manager form of government, Lynn Haven is dedicated to preserving its rich history, supporting sustainable growth, and ensuring a high quality of life for all who live, work, and visit here.

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Assistant Director of Redevelopment, Real Estate & Market Economics – City Of Homestead, CRA

The Assistant Director for Redevelopment, Real Estate & Market Economics plays a key leadership role within the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), overseeing complex redevelopment initiatives, real estate transactions, and market-driven economic strategies. This position is responsible for negotiating development agreements, crafting public-private partnerships, preparing incentive packages, and managing consultant contracts. The Assistant Director provides strategic oversight of redevelopment projects, capital improvements, and economic development initiatives that align with the City’s Master Plan. They serve as the CRA’s liaison with internal departments, development professionals, and the public to advance the agency’s goals in property revitalization, business attraction, and infrastructure investment.



This full-time, in-person role requires strong expertise in real estate development, market analysis, project management, and fiscal oversight. The ideal candidate holds a degree in a related field, possesses at least five years of experience in redevelopment or economic development, and is proficient in pro forma analysis, incentive financing tools (e.g., LIHTC, New Markets Tax Credits, Live Local Act), and capital planning. Strong communication skills are essential for preparing reports, presenting to boards, and representing the CRA in public forums. The role also involves occasional evening and weekend work and is designated as essential personnel.

Read more here

RFPs / RFQs / LOIs

New! Location Analytics and Intelligence Services RFP – City of Clearwater

Clearwater is seeking qualified vendors to deliver a cloud-based location analytics and intelligence platform to analyze foot traffic, behavioral trends, and socioeconomic data to better understand and assess the impact of events and tourism, identify economic development opportunities, monitor facility usage, and inform planning and zoning efforts across the city.

Deadline: October 15, 10 AM.

Read more here

Call for Artists – City of Bartow CRA

The City of Bartow Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) invites qualified artists to submit proposals for the design and installation of murals on two public restroom exterior walls, as part of the CRA’s ongoing efforts to promote public art and strengthen our community identity. Artists may submit proposals for one or both projects, which will transform two ordinary spaces into vibrant landmarks for the City of Bartow and CRA District. The CRA reserves the right to approve all artwork displayed in the public realm for community standards.

This is a fantastic opportunity to gain visibility, contribute to community beautification, and engage with fellow creatives for three unique murals in the public realm.

Submission Deadline: 10/31/2025

Artist Selection Announced: 12/3/2025

Contract Finalization: 1/30/26

Project Completion: 3/18/2026

Read more here

MORE FRA RESOURCES

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