FRA Member News, FRA Award Winners, New Jobs, and Happy Thanksgiving!

View as Webpage

Your Weekly FRA Update:

November 27, 2024

With heartfelt appreciation, the Florida Redevelopment Association board of directors and staff wish you and your family a healthy and happy Thanksgiving. We are truly grateful for our incredible members and the work you do to enhance and revitalize our communities.

Please note, our offices will be closed on Thursday, November 28th, and Friday, November 29th. We will resume normal operations on Monday, December 2nd.

2024 FRA Award Winner - Capital Projects/Infrastructure - Large City

City of Pensacola Community Redevelopment Agency - Bruce Beach 107 Years of Transition

"Once a thriving industrial hub serving the early 20th-century maritime industry, and later a neighborhood gathering place for Pensacola’s black community, a 10-acre property along Pensacola’s waterfront known as Bruce Beach was a littered homeless camp by the mid-1970s. This all changed with the recent completion of Phase I of a two-part reactivation plan by the Pensacola CRA to create a connected, accessible public realm along the water’s edge. Today Bruce Beach is transformed into a waterfront park with a central plaza, native plants, cultural exhibits, wildlife-friendly lighting, shade structures, a learning garden and a pedestrian bridge that overlooks historic Washerwoman Creek."

See the 2024 Best Book and More!

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.

Help answer new questions and post your own today! Click here to join the forum.

FRA Member News

New! Community Invited to Attend Lincolnville Park Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

The City of St. Augustine Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and Lincolnville Community Redevelopment Area (LCRA) are proud to announce a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for Thursday, December 5, 2024, for the recently constructed Lincolnville Park.

After public outreach and community input earlier this year, the Neighborhood Services and CRA Division made a recommendation to the City Commission to name the property in honor of George and Ollie Smith, for their significant and outstanding contributions of public service to the Lincolnville community.

The public is invited to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 10:00 am at the entrance of the park, at 81 Weeden St.

Read more here

New! Lee County Approves Agreement to Provide Seasonal River District Trolley Service

The seasonal River District Trolley is set to return Nov. 21 after the Lee Board of County Commissioners voted to approve an agreement with the city of Fort Myers and the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency to offer the fare-free service.

Both the LeeTran Blue and Gold Line trolleys provide free access to and from the historic downtown Fort Myers River District. The service cost of $733,119 is funded by the city of Fort Myers and CRA contributing $366,560, and a Florida Department of Transportation Transit Service Development grant contributing $366,559.

The Blue Line runs through downtown Fort Myers. The route loops from the Oasis Condominiums to West First Street and McGregor Boulevard along First Street, then to Rosa Parks Transportation Center, Fowler Street and Second Street. The Gold Line connects North Fort Myers to downtown Fort Myers. The service will run through April 23, 2025.

Read more here

New! New Eats on Main Street: Food Truck Court Potentially Coming to Downtown Lakeland Area

If you wait all month for the food truck rally, your favorite truck could get a permanent home in Swan City with this latest development.

Meet Main Street Eats, a new concept from entrepreneurs Butch Rahman and Chad Englund that would permanently park up to eight food trucks in a food court-style set-up east of downtown Lakeland at 1108 E. Main St.

While Rahman + Englund hope to develop the former used car lot there into the food truck court, Lakelanders Ken James and Ziomara Taveras — perhaps better known as the owners of Plates on Deck — would manage it. The duo recently competed on the 17th season of “The Great Food Truck Race” — so needless to say, it’ll be in good hands.

In addition to the food trucks, LkldNow shared that the site plan also includes:

Renovating a 1912 home into a restaurant and acoustic music venue
Transforming a 1950s office into customer bathrooms and a vendor preparation area
Adding an adjacent parking lot that faces Rose Street

Read more here

Miami Gardens Unveils Plans for New $70M Arts Center

The City of Miami Gardens is gearing up to expand its footprint as an arts and cultural hub with its very own performing arts center, the construction of which would coincide with the construction of a brand new city center.

Planned for the east side of the lot adjacent to Miami Gardens City Hall, behind the parking lot, the Miami Gardens Performing Arts Center (PAC) would span approximately 74,000 square feet across three levels and offer a range of features.

The ground floor would accommodate between 1,000 and 1,220, according to city manager Cameron Benson, who gave a presentation on the PAC during the Nov. 13 Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) board meeting. It would also include what Benson referred to as "The Black Box Theatre," a key component dedicated to performances for younger audiences focused on arts and cultural activities.

The ground floor would also house office spaces, classrooms, and a culinary arts facility.

Read more here

Newberry $1.1M CRA Budget Prioritizes Critical Infrastructure

In a brief session, Newberry’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board convened to hold a public hearing and discuss the adoption of the CRA budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25. The budget, amounting to $1,145,390, was presented by Newberry Assistant City Manager and CFO Dallas Lee, and received unanimous approval from the board.

City Manager Mike New highlighted that a significant portion of the budget — approximately $1 million — has been designated for critical infrastructure improvements within the CRA District.

These funds will be directed towards projects aimed at enhancing the district’s roads, utilities, and overall accessibility, which are considered essential to fostering economic growth and development in the area.

Read more here

Franklin Street’s $6 Million Transformation Receives the Greenlight

Tampa City Council members on Thursday unanimously approved the Tampa Downtown Partnership’s Franklin Street Vision project. The $6 million investment supported by Council members serving on the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) will improve the historic street that runs through several downtown neighborhoods.

The project aims to combine historic charm and modern enhancements such as streetscape and infrastructure upgrades and mobility enhancements.

Funding for the Franklin Street Vision project will be spread over three years and will come from the Downtown CRA using property taxes generated downtown that must be spent on projects that benefit downtown — and not from the general City of Tampa budget.

“To ignore the work that needs to be done on Franklin Street would be the biggest crime, given all that we are doing to improve slum and blight in the downtown CRA,” said CRA Board Chair Gwendolyn Henderson. “I appreciate that we brought together voices from the community to collaborate on how best we can bring Franklin Street back to life for our downtown residents and visitors.”

Read more here

More FRA Member News to Use!

Jobs

Economic Development Director – City of Miami Beach

The City of Miami Beach (pop. 80,000) seeks a highly energetic, skilled, innovative, and collaborative economic development leader as its next Economic Development Director. This highly visible, hands-on professional focuses on achieving the Economic Development Department’s overarching goal: to establish, grow and diversify the City’s business community by promoting the City’s image and assets, supporting businesses, and encouraging appropriate real estate development. Supervising a team of eight professionals, the Director works to facilitate equitable economic opportunity by building a diverse, vibrant economy; catalyzing job creation, private investment, and revenue generation; supporting existing businesses; promoting the attraction, creation, and expansion of new businesses; and facilitating real estate and joint development and community redevelopment in the City of Miami Beach.

Position is open until filled with the first review of applications on December 11, 2024.

Read more here

Assistant City Manager – City of Clearwater, FL

The Assistant City Manager will support the City Manager and oversee assigned departments including: Community Redevelopment Agency, Economic Development & Housing, Planning and Development, Parks and Recreation, and Clearwater Public Library System. The Assistant City Manager will play a pivotal role during an exciting period of the city’s growth. They will lead staff in a variety of diverse strategic initiatives, specifically, coordinating the acquisition and disposition of over 20 acres of Pinellas County-owned real estate in downtown Clearwater as the county government contemplates its relocation to a more centralized location. This will be an opportunity to actively engage in urban redevelopment planning amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars in future development potential.

Application Deadline: December 27, 2024

Read more here

Community Redevelopment Agency Director – City of Flagler Beach

Responsible for administration of the City’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), including preparation and submission of State reports; coordination with the CRA Executive Board; collaboration with CRA property owners; and cooperation with other City staff and appropriate boards and committees. Additional responsibilities include economic development, public engagement, special events, and grant writing/review.

Read more here

CRA Project Coordinator - City of Palatka

CRA Project Coordinator

City of Palatka

$55,000 Annually

The City of Palatka is seeking a responsible individual to join our team in transforming the CRA districts of Palatka.

Read more here

CRA Communications and Project Coordinator

Under the general direction of city administration, this position serves as the communications, public relations, marketing, and project coordinator for the Main Street and Southside Community Redevelopment Areas.

This position coordinates education, information, and awareness to internal and external stakeholders for the City of Avon Park Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). Administers and manages projects and programs in support of short‐range plans, goals, and objectives per the approved redevelopment plans. Is responsible for tasks involving the coordination of public relations efforts and project coordination for the Main Street and Southside community redevelopment areas.

This is a highly visible position with responsibilities involving frequent community engagement and outreach, as a liaison to property owners, businesses, organizations and local governments.

Read more here

CRA Coordinator – City of Lake Wales

Join an award-winning team of professionals set out to transform the historic core of Lake Wales. The City is hiring a CRA Coordinator to maintain various programs, track metrics and conduct ceremonial events.

GENERAL PURPOSE

Administers programs for the Community Redevelopment Agency. Performs a variety of routine and complex administrative, technical and professional work in the preparation and implementation of the goals and objectives of the Community Redevelopment Agency.

Read more here

CRA Division Manager – Community Redevelopment Agency Division – City of Clearwater

Position Description

TARGET ENTRY SALARY: $81,615 – $85,696 DOQ

Under administrative direction, the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Division Manager develops, administers, and implements the City’s Community Redevelopment efforts, programs, and activities. May be assigned to Urban Planning and Information, Programs, or Projects. Plans objectives and goals for the division and administers daily activities.

Read more here

Community Redevelopment Coordinator – Lake County

Job Details

Posting Number: 24-10-02-3440

Pay Grade: 22E (Salary: $57,054.40 – $90,667.20 annually)

Agency / Dept. / Office: Economic Growth

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Job Summary:

Under the direction of the Community Services Department Director, implements and manages the advanced professional work involving the preparation, evaluation and analysis of community redevelopment plans and proposed projects and development in accordance with the County’s Community Redevelopment Agency’s Plan and the Land Development Regulations and Guidelines. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the identification and management of projects that are proposed with the County’s Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) plans; coordinating and attending public meetings and promoting the CRAs. The coordinator prepares reports, presentations and plans for internal and external clients in compliance with Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) requirements. Provides recommendations and proposals for the annual budget, grant applications, and operational studies.

Read more here

CRA Specialist – Community Redevelopment Agency Division – City of Clearwater

Position Description

TARGET ENTRY SALARY: $60,902 – $63,947 DOQ

Under administrative direction, the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Specialist performs highly responsible administrative support for the Community Redevelopment Agency in the research, development, and implementation of CRA plans, programs and projects.

Read more here

CRA Coordinator – Community Redevelopment Agency Division – City of Clearwater

Position Description

TARGET ENTRY SALARY: $63,947 – $67,145 DOQ

Under administrative direction, the CRA Coordinator performs highly responsible administrative support for the plans, projects, and programs for the Community Redevelopment Agency’s (CRA) community redevelopment areas and Downtown Development Board (DDB).

Read more here

Housing and Development Program Manager

City of Pensacola Employment

Department: CRA

Pay Range: $28.28-$46.67 hourly dependent on knowledge and experience

This is an administrative professional position that assists with housing and economic development and community development tasks and projects as assigned, such as project management, marketing of community assets, fostering strategic partnerships, and promotion of the City of Pensacola as a desirable place for development.

This class is responsible for coordinating, promoting, implementing and managing CRA programs, projects and initiatives implemented pursuant to the City’s adopted community redevelopment plans, authorized under Florida Statute, Chapter 163, Part III.

Read more here

Delray Beach CRA - Progressive Design-Build

Request for Qualifications CRA No.: 2024-04

NW 800 Block of West Atlantic Avenue – Progressive Design-Build

Redevelopment Project

Issue Date: Friday, October 4, 2024

Proposal Submission Deadline:

Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 5:00 PM (EST)

The CRA is seeking proposals from qualified design-build service firms to provide progressive design-build services for the modular design and construction of a redevelopment project for the Northwest 800 Block of West Atlantic Avenue.

Read more here