Your Weekly FRA Update:

September 21, 2023

FRA Announcements

FRA Board President Ken Thomas Tells Us Why the FRA Conference is So Important!

FRA Academy Classes

The Academy is a unique educational program designed to promote a prerequisite level of knowledge and professionalism in the field of community redevelopment. The courses are open to anyone interested in learning more about redevelopment practice in Florida. ANYONE who wants to take the course and provides the registration information and payment may register and take the courses. We offer online registration and payment for the courses.

Core courses added to FRA Conference week:

• Budgeting, Funding, and Reporting – October 24, 2023
• CRA 101 – October 27, 2023
• Operations and Capacity Building – October 27, 2023

FRA Member News

New! High Springs CRA Votes to Increase Façade Grant Amount, ‘Call For Projects’ Expected in October

The High Springs Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) met on Aug. 24 to address an update of the CRA’s Façade Grant Program and consider hiring a lobbying group to work with the City.

City Manager Ashley Stathatos discussed the new application for the Façade Grant program and requested an increase in the amount of matching grant funds from $5,000 to up to $10,000.

Following discussion, Board members voted unanimously to approve the new façade grant package, the increase from $5,000 to up to $10,000 in matching funds and to conduct a call for projects initiative in October.

Read more here

New! New Affordable Housing Complex Completed in Southeast Tallahassee

McDowell Housing Partners (MHP) has completed the construction of Ekos Magnolia Oaks, a 110-unit affordable housing community.

Funding sources for Ekos Magnolia Oaks include a $500K CRA Loan from the City of Tallahassee Community Redevelopment Agency and $5.95M from RRLP-FHFC.

“We are excited to celebrate our growing number of housing options including these 110 units now available in our community.” “By supporting Ekos Magnolia Oaks with a $500,000 investment in the Greater Frenchtown/Southside Community Redevelopment Area, we are furthering efforts to increase affordable housing options, which is in line with the City’s strategic goal priorities,” said Tallahassee Mayor Pro-Tem and CRA Chair Dianne Williams-Cox.

Read more here

New! City To Add Crosswalk At Intersection of Collins and J Arden Mays Streets

Walking across the heavily traveled Collins Street in downtown will soon get a little easier.

At its last meeting, the Community Redevelopment Agency adopted a resolution approving a budget adjustment to appropriate $30,000 for pedestrian crossing improvements at Collins Street and J Arden Mays Boulevard. The crosswalk will feature pedestrian buttons and a solar-powered flashing beacon (RRFB) designed to alert drivers the crosswalk is in use and improve pedestrian safety.

Read more here

New! Tampa’s Straz Center Expansion Facing Delays

The City has committed $25 million to the arts complex, which Thursday secured an extension to meet its contract requirements.

Less than three weeks before the deadline, the Straz Center has secured a two-month extension to fulfill its contractual requirements with the city for its multimillion-dollar expansion.

Tampa’s downtown Community Redevelopment Area committed $25 million in 2021 for the waterfront, art mecca’s $100 million renovation, which includes new event and outdoor spaces and a rooftop terrace overlooking the Riverwalk.

Read more here

The City of Margate Unveils New Serino Park

After approximately $2 million in renovations, the City of Margate has unveiled a new Serino Park located at 5600 SW 8th Court. The Margate Community Redevelopment Agency funded the upgrades as part of its public purpose to improve parks, playgrounds, and other municipal facilities. Single-family homes surround the neighborhood park.

Read more here

Revitalization with Grand Opening of Student Success Center

Just days before thousands of students will fill its halls, Miami Dade College Homestead Campus and the City of Homestead celebrated the grand opening of the Student Success Center.  The new, modern facility serves as a connection between Downtown Homestead and the MDC Homestead Campus serving both the student and business communities.

Read more here

What’s a CRA and How Does it Help Downtown Orlando?

“CRAs provide a variety of elements that are needed for redevelopment — a governing or management element, financing, short and long-term planning, and processes that enable stakeholders to participate,” Dr. Christopher Hawkins, professor in the School of Public Administration at the University of Central Florida Downtown Campus, wrote. “[The Downtown CRA] has provided a useful framework for guiding the city’s investments.”

Read more here

New Plan Recommends Replacing Fast-Food Checkers Restaurant with Housing, Office or Retail Complex

The 479-page plan outlines concepts for redeveloping buildings and street intersections, including already-in-the-works projects such as the new apartments and retail shops being built or planned at the corner of University Drive and Sample Road.

Read more here

Historic Overtown Church Property Saved From Foreclosure

Days before the historic property in Miami’s Overtown neighborhood was scheduled to be sold in foreclosure, a saving grace came Friday. The SEOPW CRA bought the property so its loan could be paid off, and will give repurchase rights to the church, according to James McQueen, the agency’s executive director.



Read more here

Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater to Commemorate 110 Years of History

Under the theme “The Crown of Overtown,” the Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater is celebrating this historic milestone, paying tribute to its timeless legacy as a cherished community staple. The Lyric Theater opened in 1913, quickly becoming a major gathering place for the African-American community in Miami, serving as a community space, vaudeville playhouse, movie theater, and finally, a church.



Read more here

Fort Pierce Installs Murals to Help Stimulate Economic Growth

The city known for its sunrises is proud as a peacock because of four outdoor murals.

The Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency created the Peacock Arts District to make improvements with the goal of invigorating the once-vibrant downtown and stimulating the economy.



Read more here

Grove Community Garden to Harvest Food, Fellowship

When Dorothy Scott Wilson was growing up in northwest Lake Wales, folks would buy their fruits and vegetables at a small business corridor that included Wade’s Grocery Store. As corporate chain supermarkets came in during the 1950s and 1960s, stores like Wade’s closed, leaving what Wilson calls a “food desert.”

Read more here

Homestead CRA Rocks the Block and Breaks Ground on New Homes

The Homestead Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) kicked off its Southwest Neighborhood New H.O.M.E (Home Ownership Made Equitable) Initiative and Rock the Block neighborhood beautification on SW 6th Street.



Read more here

RFPs and RFQs

New! Professional Services For New Community Redevelopment Plan Update

It is the intent of the Community Redevelopment Agency and the City Commission of Holly Hill, FL to select a professional company, consultant teams and/or an individual contractor to update the Community Redevelopment Plan for the Community Redevelopment District in Holly Hill for the purpose of requesting an extension of the May 28, 2026 expiration date to May 28, 2036.

Responses to RFP: Due no later than 2:00 p.m., October 12, 2023

Read more here

New! Hotel/Civic Center Development Project – City of Kissimmee

The City of Kissimmee is requesting qualifications for the redevelopment of the existing Kissimmee Civic Center property into a hotel and conference center, located at 201 E. Dakin Ave. within the Downtown Kissimmee Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) area. The City’s Strategic Plan prioritizes the development of a hotel and conference center, to boost tourism, accommodate conferences and business travelers, and increase attractiveness to visitors, while creating jobs.

Due Date: 10/13/2023 2:00 PM Eastern

Read more here

New! Seeking Proposals for Krome Marketplace

A series of vacant storefronts in Downtown Homestead will soon be transformed into an entertainment and dining destination thanks to the revitalization efforts of the Homestead Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). The CRA recently purchased multiple retail storefronts on Krome Avenue north of 2nd Street in Downtown Homestead in the hope of attracting partners with significant dining and entertainment experience to bring the vision of a thriving arts and entertainment district to life.

Proposal due by 5:00 pm October 20, 2023.

Read more here

New! Real Estate Brokers/Firms for Niceville’s Historic Old Town Business Redevelopment Area

The Niceville Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is requesting statements of interest from qualified commercial real estate brokers/firms to assist the CRA in identifying and siting targeted businesses in Niceville’s Historic Old Town Business Redevelopment Area.

Statements of interest will be accepted by the Niceville CRA Director prior to close of business on November 10, 2023

Read more here

Jobs

New! Business Recruitment/Retention Specialist – Cape Coral, FL

As a Business Recruitment/Retention Specialist, you’ll report to the Economic and Business Development Officer and play a crucial role in attracting and supporting businesses in Cape Coral. You’ll contribute to the City’s Economic Development Office (EDO) activities.

Apply by 10/20/2023 11:59 PM Eastern

Read more here

New! Assistant Director of Economic Opportunity and Community Investment Recruitment

Job Opening: Assistant Director for the Economic Opportunity and Community Investment Department. This department includes Planning, Building and permitting, Engineering Services, CRA and neighborhoods, and Affordable Housing Divisions. The Assistant Director will be responsible for administrative, professional and technical work in support of all divisions.

Open until filled.

Job info here

Project Manager-Community Redevelopment Agency – City of Port St. Lucie

Salary: $81,681 – $93,933 Annually

Closing Date: CONTINUOUS

Professional work managing the Community Redevelopment Program. Under limited supervision, performs professional, technical, and administrative work in coordinating the redevelopment activities of the City of Port St. Lucie Community Redevelopment Area Plan(s). Work is performed under the direction of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Director and City Manager’s Office, and is reviewed annually by the CRA Director. Facilitates the development of public trust and confidence in the City.

Job info here

MORE FRA RESOURCES

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