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January 18, 2024

FRA Announcements

FRA Member News

New! 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

New! 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

New! 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! 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

New! 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

20-Story, 360-Unit Mixed-Use Development Approved for St. Pete’s EDGE District

PTM Partners, the group behind the EDGE Collective development in St. Pete’s EDGE District, is moving forward with plans for a second phase of the project, further connecting Central Avenue and the Historic Gas Plant Development.

During a recent St. Petersburg City Council meeting, the council members, meeting as the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), unanimously approved the second phase of the EDGE Collective project.

The $98.5 million project, dubbed EDGE Collective II, is the second phase of the EDGE Collective development that broke ground in January 2022 on the 1100 Block of Central Avenue.

Read more here

CRA Board Approves $10 Million Incentive For The Arcadian Project

On November 7, 2023, the Fort Lauderdale City Commission, acting as the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board of Commissioners approved a $10 million incentive to Sunshine Shipyard, LLC for the Arcadian Project, located at 640 NW 7th Avenue.

The Arcadian is a new mixed-use development currently under construction at the northeast corner of Sistrunk Blvd and Avenue of the Arts (NW 7th Avenue). The project will consist of two eight-story buildings with 480 residential units, 5,235 square feet of ground-floor commercial space and a parking garage with 606 spaces.

Of the 480 units, 48 will be set aside for affordable housing for residents with incomes less or equal to 100% of the Broward County median family income.

Read more here

Record Turnout for Lee County Black History Society’s Holiday in the Park

The community came together for a weekend filled with joy, entertainment and celebration at The Lee County Black History Society’s (LCBHS) annual Holiday in the Park festivities, held at Roberto Clemente Park in Fort Myers on Dec. 1 for Holiday in the Park and and Dec. 2 for Movie in the Park.

This year’s events witnessed the largest turnout ever, drawing close to 800 attendees. The crowd was engaged throughout both days, enjoying a variety of performances, recognitions and community-driven activities.

Read more here

Granada Getting an Appearance Upgrade in Ormond Beach

The Ormond Beach City Commission is stepping up its public art program, approving nine traffic signal and two streetlight cabinet wraps along Granada Boulevard.

The large silver box structures at key intersections along Granada will be wrapped and enhanced with public art. The intersections included in the project are at South Beach, Lewis, North Orchard and South Yonge streets, South Ridgewood and Corbin avenues, John Anderson and North Halifax drives and Oceanshore Boulevard.

The city estimates the manufacturing and installation of the cabinet wraps should cost about $15,000 and come from the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency funds.

Read more here

Cocoa Considering New Developments for Old City Hall Sites

At least one developer is eying the location of the former city hall in Cocoa Village in hopes of building a mixed-use development that would include apartments and retail.

The future of the site has been an open question for the city since the current city hall was built in 2008.

Developers will still need to jump through many hoops before being selected by the city, including approval by the Community Redevelopment Agency and the City Council at future meetings that have not yet been scheduled.

Read more here

Jobs

NEW! 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 Attraction and Investment Manager, CRA – Dania Beach, FL

Salary Range: $66,181.32 – $102,580.95 Annually

Closing Date: 1/24/2024

We are currently seeking a Business Attraction and Investment Manager to join our Community Redevelopment Agency. Under the direction of the CRA Executive Director, the ideal candidate will be responsible for the development and execution of business attraction/retention strategies and marketing of the City/CRA as a desirable business destination. The incumbent should be an outside-of-the-box thinker, a visionary leader, and a business professional. The incumbent’s success will be measured, in part, by the number of new businesses brought into the CRA and the development of an effective working network of CRA businesses, residents, partner agencies, developers, and investors.

If you are ready to take the next step in your career and contribute to the growth and development of the City of Dania Beach.

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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