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January 25, 2024

FRA Announcements

FRA Member News

NEW! Sculpture inspired by Gerald Ensley Hopes to Illustrate Cascades Park, Tallahassee Roots

A decade ago, when Cascades Park debuted and became the crown jewel of the city’s parks, a newspaper column by the late Gerald Ensley followed and inspired a grand idea. He thought a statue of John Lee Williams, one of the city’s founding fathers, should be erected in the park, steeped with its own unique origin story.

“Tallahassee needs a statue of John Lee Williams,” Ensley wrote. “And there is only one place it should go: Cascades Park.”

“It was sort of a full circle moment,” said Thompson, founder of AKT Artful, an artistic consulting firm. “Knowing that the piece itself had been inspired by the work of my dad and so many other historians and community leaders and people who are the keepers of our collective memory.”

Read more here

NEW! Festival is Becoming a Beachside “Stroll” for Art Lovers

The decades-old Festival of the Arts is being rebranded this year as Art Stroll, a juried exhibit on Feb. 17 and 18 on Ocean Way. The show is being held in conjunction with Pioneer Days in a well-defined area between Southeast 2 and Southeast 4 streets with space for 40 artists and food and drink vendors.

The Festival and Pioneer Days were held simultaneously last year, but before the pandemic, the Festival was a major art event with up to 100 exhibitors.

Proceeds from Art Stroll will benefit the Deerfield Beach Historical Society. The Community Redevelopment Agency is a major sponsor with a $2,500 donation coming from its public art budget.

Read more here

Dumping Ground Turned into Neighborhood Park as Part of Haines City Revitalization

Projects are underway to revitalize underserved communities in Haines City, and a new neighborhood park is part of that plan.

Maritza Guzman enjoys taking her grandkids out for some fresh air and exercise, and now she doesn’t have to go far to do it.

“We enjoy this park here, with the bicycles, running, exercise, and the kids enjoy it too,” Guzman said.

The $500,000 project was funded by the Community Redevelopment Agency. It is part of the CRA’s initiative to revitalize the neighborhood.

Read more here

More Public Parking Downtown is Goal of CRA Purchase

More convenient public parking downtown, the subject of repeated merchant requests, will be addressed soon, according to city officials.

Converting a private parking lot to a city-owned facility is on the agenda of the next meeting of the Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency The board will consider the purchase of the privately-owned lot at the corner of Park Avenue and First Street at their January 9 meeting. The move is viewed as part of the ongoing reinvigoration efforts for Park Avenue to better support downtown retail business.

Read more here

Tri-Rail to Extend Service to Downtown Miami

The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) announced the start of Tri-Rail’s expanded service into Downtown Miami — the Miami Central Station — beginning Saturday, January 13.

“The day has finally arrived when the public can plan their direct trips in and out of Downtown Miami onboard Tri-Rail trains,” said Miami-Dade Commissioner Raquel Regalado, SFRTA Governing Board Member. “It has been years of hard work and coordination with many supporting partners throughout the region, so we celebrate this news with them, our supporters and mostly our loyal passengers.”

Among some of these important players are the funding partners that provided a local investment of $70 million for construction costs to accommodate: Miami-Dade County, Miami Downtown Development Authority, Omni Community Redevelopment Agency and Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency.

Read more here

New Port Richey Residents Seek Cultural Center at Old Schwettman School

As the city of New Port Richey approaches its 100th anniversary next October, residents have urged city leaders to save a critical piece of its past by preserving the red-brick building that once housed Gulf High School.

Former students, longtime city residents and those who saw potential to put the building to a new use want the city to turn it into a cultural center.

The city’s Community Redevelopment Agency, which is made up of the five City Council members, voted in September to spend $1.75 million for the nearly 8-acre site on Grand Boulevard.

Read more here

Winners of the 51st Annual Boynton Beach Holiday Boat Parade Announced

On December 8, 2023, the Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (BBCRA), in partnership with the City of Delray Beach, Town of Hypoluxo, and Town of Lantana, hosted the 51st Annual Holiday Boat Parade.

The event, which featured 35 festively decorated vessels, lit up the Intracoastal waterways throughout Lantana, Hypoluxo, Boynton Beach, and Delray Beach. Thousands of spectators visited local waterfront restaurants, parks, and other areas along the Intracoastal to view the dazzling flotilla.

A panel of seven judges rated the boats in four categories, which included: Lights, colors, theme, and best overall.

Read more here

Jobs

NEW! Economic Development Specialist – City of St Cloud

Salary: $26.26 – $37.28 Hourly

Full-time

This is a beginning-level professional work in economic research and project development.

Work involves the performance of moderately difficult professional and technical work in the area of economic research and development. Work is intellectual and varied in nature as opposed to routine mental or physical work and requires the consistent use of judgement and discretion in its performance. The employee works under general supervision depending upon the nature of the task. Independent judgement is exercised in the application of professional principles and research techniques toward economic development problem-solving, within established standards, rules and policies.

Read more here

Planning Manager City of Lake Wales

$51,505.79 – $81,120.00 Salary/year

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Reviews applications for proposed developments, comprehensive plan amendments, and map amendments. Documents review process and records procedural compliance. Drafts amendments to Land Development Regulations and Comprehensive Plan text amendments.

Prepares ordinances, staff reports, and meeting agendas. May require knowledge of GIS functions in variety of venues, which may include exporting GIS data and producing a variety of maps.

Attends public meetings, presents in front of Boards as directed. Provides expert advice to Boards regarding planning issues. Oversees coordination of the permitting process to include site development with building official, inspectors, planners, engineers, fire inspectors and other agency staff. Coordinates activities of other planning employees as directed by the Growth Management Director. Other duties as assigned.

Read more here

CRA Program Manager – City of Pensacola

Closing Date: 1/29/2024

Pay Range: $55,764.80 – $95,180.80 annually dependent on knowledge and experience. 

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in appropriate discipline, and three (3) years of pertinent experience with program/project management and development which must include experience managing projects funded by state and /or federal grants.

Or

Combination of education, training, and/or work experience equal to or higher than the requirements listed above as determined by Human Resources.

Read more here

CRA Program Coordinator – City of Pensacola

Closing Date: 1/29/2024

Pay Range: $48,152.00 – $82,222.40 annually dependent on knowledge and experience.

Minimum Qualifications:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in appropriate discipline, and

Three (3) years of experience in project and/or program coordination and administrative support. Experience with state and/or federal grants in a government or non-profit setting is preferred.

Or

Combination of education, training, and/or work experience equal to or higher than the requirements listed above as determined by Human Resources.

Read more here

Business Recruitment/Retention Specialist – Cape Coral, FL

Salary: $50,835.20 – $79,580.80

Closing Date: 2/2/2024 11:59 PM Eastern.

Join our dynamic team at the forefront of economic development in the beautiful city of Cape Coral! We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Business Recruitment/Retention Specialist to play a key role in shaping the economic landscape of our community. As a vital member of the Economic Development Office (EDO), you will contribute to our mission of fostering a diversified, sustainable economy and creating a more prosperous future for

Read more here

Director of Development Services – City of Cape Coral

The City of Cape Coral, Florida (est. pop. 213,000), is seeking a Director of Development Services. This position requires a bachelor’s degree and ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in fields commonly/routinely involved in the functions of a community development department including but not limited to: building, planning, code enforcement, plans review, construction, zoning, development of neighborhood services, redevelopment, and environmental planning; including five (5) years in a supervisory role.

The base salary will be up to $150,000.

Read more here

Community Redevelopment Administrator – Town of Lake Park CRA

Under the direction of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Executive Director, this position is responsible for the implementation of the adopted Lake Park Community Redevelopment Master Plan and for providing responsible managerial, professional, and supervisory functions in coordinating the Town of Lake Park CRA Master Plan, its programs and activities. This position is a highly professional and administrative position that participates in executive level discussions and decision-making in a variety of areas, most particularly, but not limited to, redevelopment, community planning and economic development.  

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in business administration, public administration, finance, planning or closely related field is required supplemented by five (5) years of progressively responsible management experience in economic development, redevelopment, planning, architecture, and community development related services in a municipal or county setting. Certification as a Redevelopment Administrator or Redevelopment Professional through the Florida Redevelopment Association is also required. Must also have a valid Florida driver’s license. Salary $90,000.00 per year. Excellent Benefits.

Read more here

Public Works Director – Town of Lake Park CRA

A diverse, artistic, waterfront community with a population of 8,971 located in sunny Palm Beach County on the east coast of Florida is seeking a qualified individual to fill the position of Public Works Director. The Town of Lake Park has a Commission/Manager form of government where the Town Manager works under the legislative direction of the Town Commission. The Public Works Director reports directly to the Town Manager, and is responsible for the planning, directing, and supervising all Public Works operations, activities, and employees.

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field supplemented by a minimum of five (5) years of related experience as a supervisor, manger, or director of a public works department. Salary $115,002.64 to $184,004.23. Starting salary dependent upon qualifications. Excellent Benefits.

Read more here

RFPs and RFQs

Professional Grant Services – City of Crescent City

The City of Crescent City is requesting proposals from qualified individuals and/or consultant firms that can assist the City with researching and identifying potential grants and providing general grant writing services associated with the completion and submission of grant applications, program administration and delivery. 

Closing Date: January 31, 2024.

Read more here

CRA Proposals for Downtown Kissimmee Redevelopment Brand Strategy

The City of Kissimmee is seeking sealed proposals on the following:

Request for Proposal Number RFP2024-001 Downtown Kissimmee Community

Redevelopment Agency (DKCRA) Brand Strategy

Deadline: 2:00pm January 25, 2024.

Read more here

MORE FRA RESOURCES

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