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Your Weekly FRA Update:
October 23, 2025
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Thank you to everyone who helped make last week's 2025 FRA Annual Conference a resounding success! Stay tuned for links to the conference session slides, photos, keynote presentations, and more. These will be up on the FRA website shortly!
Don't forget to fill out your:
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The Florida Redevelopment Association Awards program recognizes the best in redevelopment in Florida. It is open to any member of the Association. To recognize the projects and people involved in redevelopment throughout the state, three award series have been established.
The Roy F. Kenzie and Thomas J. Mills Awards are given for outstanding examples of redevelopment and leadership, respectively, in Florida. The President’s Award is given for the “Best of the Best” to honor the top project across all categories. A winning entry acknowledges excellence in an organization’s work.
Within 13 juried categories, the Roy F. Kenzie Awards celebrate the most innovative and effective redevelopment programs in Florida. Winners demonstrate innovation and a positive impact on their communities and inspire other Florida communities.
| | Be Involved: Share Your Knowledge & Learn | |
FRA's Q&A forum is your go-to platform to find answers, resources and information you need for successful redevelopment projects and initiatives. FRA members can post questions, explore ideas, and discuss topics with other MyFRA users.
| | 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! Boynton Beach Cottage District Turns Vacant Land Into Affordable Homes for Working Families
CRAs transform communities #redevelopmentworks
In the heart of Boynton Beach, what was once vacant land for more than 15 years, is now transforming into a new neighborhood that city leaders hope will redefine affordable homeownership.
The Cottage District development is part of a citywide effort to make living in Boynton Beach more attainable for working families — teachers, nurses, first responders, and retail employees who help keep the city running.
The project is a collaborative effort between the Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (BBCRA), Palm Beach County, and construction company Pulte Group. Together, they’re turning underused public land into 41 affordable homes: 22 townhomes for low-income buyers and 19 single-family homes for moderate-income families.
Read more here
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New! Restoration St. Louis Wins Walesbilt Hotel Vote, Will Seek to Redevelop Entire Block
CRAs transform communities #redevelopmentworks
Restoration St. Louis has been selected as the preferred company to restore the Walesbilt Hotel. RSL was chosen over a competing proposal from the Blackmon and Adoniades Families, a St. Petersburg-based alliance of two operators who control scores of hotel and residential properties across west central Florida.
In a 5-0 vote, the Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency authorized City Manager James Slaton and “agents of his choosing” to negotiate a contract with the firm. CRA Assistant Director Ronni Wood noted the historic nature of the vote, calling it the most significant of the last 80 years, surpassing even the adoption of the Lake Wales Connected plan.
Read more here
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New! Developer Proposes Taller Buildings for Boca Raton’s Camino Square
CRAs transform communities #redevelopmentworks
The companies proposing redevelopment of Camino Square, near downtown Boca Raton, are seeking major changes, including building a pair of eight-story residential towers instead of the three-story buildings previously sought for the project.
The proposal will be reviewed at Tuesday’s meeting of the Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency at city hall.
The application, submitted by KRCX Delaware Company and FCI Camino LLC, seeks to amend prior approvals for Phase 2 of Camino Square, the 4.54-acre western portion of the 9.13-acre property at 171 West Camino Real.
Read more here
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Art² is the New Hub for Creativity and Connection
CRAs transform communities #redevelopmentworks
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, City Commissioners, and the Downtown Development Board/Community Redevelopment Agency will join the owners of À La Cart to officially open Art², downtown Orlando’s newest public space, during its grand opening celebration on Friday, October 10. The park will open to the public on Saturday, October 11, at 11 a.m.
This innovative destination is designed as a hub for creativity and community, featuring flexible outdoor seating, food vendors, a craft beverage station, and a vibrant lineup of programming curated by its operators, À La Cart. Art² will showcase a diverse mix of vendors, from Phat Ash Bakes and Red Panda Noodle to new culinary innovators enriching Orlando’s dining scene, including Culinary Collective and Eighty Twenty.
Funded by the City of Orlando’s Community Redevelopment Agency, Art² celebrates Orlando’s artistic talent and supports the city’s vision of being “An Awesome Outdoor City.” The park also advances the DTO Action Plan, which continues to guide the transformation of downtown’s core corridors.
Read more here
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Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency Encourages Conversation on McCollum Hall’s Destiny
CRAs transform communities #redevelopmentworks
There was no shortage of emotion at the Quality Life Center in Fort Myers on Sept. 30, as the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency hosted one of its input sessions to hear from nearly 40 community members, harkening back to special times they and their relatives experienced in historic McCollum Hall.
For decades, McCollum Hall was owned by the McCollum family and served as a vibrant community hub where residents of the segregated Dunbar area of Fort Myers could congregate, feel safe, and let loose. Its legacy and historical significance are notably identified by its music hall, one stop on the “Chitlin’ Circuit” that hosted many renowned performers such as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and B.B. King. As time progressed, however, community members say interest and popularity faded while the building itself deteriorated, ultimately left on the community’s back burner—until now.
“The whole point of this is to give the community what it wants,” Michele Hylton-Terry, the executive director of the agency for the past seven years, said. “We want to hear from the public because this is for them. The only way it is going to be successful is if they support it and they will support it if they build it.”
Read more here
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Kabani Hotel Group sells the Inn at Boynton Beach for $8.1M
CRAs transform communities #redevelopmentworks
Kabani Hotel Group has sold the Inn at Boynton Beach, a 102-room, interior-corridor hotel located at 480 W Boynton Beach Blvd, Boynton Beach, Fla. The property sold for $8.1 million representing a price per key of $79,412 and a room revenue multiple of 4.78x. Other terms and conditions were not disclosed. The property was ultimately acquired by the Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency.
The transaction was exclusively listed and brokered by Suraj Dalal, partner at Kabani Hotel Group, alongside Ahmed Kabani, the firm’s CEO and founder.
Read more here
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West Tampa Signal Box Art Reflects Community’s History, Culture, Creativity
CRAs transform communities #redevelopmentworks
In West Tampa, eight traffic signal boxes once overlooked as dull city infrastructure have been transformed into public art thanks to a project led by the Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).
For CRA Arts and Cultural Project Coordinator Cory Robinson, the initiative is about more than aesthetics; it’s about community identity.
“The Tampa CRA is a community-driven agency focused on eliminating slum and blight in designated areas of the city,” Robinson explains. “But beyond the physical transformation, we’re also uplifting culture and creativity, giving artists visibility, and bringing residents joy in their daily lives.”
Read more here
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New! 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
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New! 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
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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
| | | | More FRA Member Job Postings | |
Want to see all of the redevelopment positions available from FRA members across the state of Florida?
Click here for more jobs!
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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
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Want to see all of the redevelopment FRPs/RFQs/LOIs from FRA members across the state of Florida?
Click here for more RFPs!
| | | | Thank you for supporting Florida redevelopment! Have questions or news to share? fra@flcities.com | | | | |
