Your Weekly FRA Update:

March 2, 2023

New! The Redevelopment Of Clermont’s 8th Street Pier Will Be Discussed March 8

Clermont’s perfect location along the beautiful shores of Lake Minneola and at the midpoint of the Florida Coast-to-Coast Trail (C2C), the proposed project includes the enhancement and redevelopment of the 8th Street area.

Florida’s C2C Trail spans approximately 250 miles and links the varied communities between St. Petersburg and Titusville, allowing multimodal users to enjoy the best of Florida. It is part of the Florida Greenway and Trails System plan that recognizes the economic impact to communities along the trail.

The preliminary plans include seating, picnic areas, restrooms and an enhanced flow of pedestrian and bicycle traffic on the trail. An artistic monument recognizing the entire trail and highlighting Clermont’s history as a model community for tail users is also included.

Read more here

New! South St. Pete Businesses, Startups have New Resources

Entrepreneurs in the South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) can soon apply for city funding to bolster their small business, startup or “side hustle.”

The Microfund Program begins in April after over six months of development and will also provide licensing information, mentorships and educational services to increase business acumen. The ultimate goal is to ensure all businesses within the CRA can utilize the current capital access initiative, a hallmark of the city’s redevelopment plan.

Read more here

New! Assistant Director OMB (Community Redevelopment and Municipal Services) 

The Office of Management and Budget is seeking an experienced professional who possesses thorough knowledge and expertise in the development and monitoring of budgets or the performance of related fiscal or management analysis. 

In this capacity, an incumbent is responsible for providing direct support and oversight of Unincorporated Municipal Service Area community redevelopment agencies (CRAs) and oversees the creation of municipal CRAs, their annual budget items, and related amendments concerning the redevelopment plans or findings of necessity. 

Read more here



DEADLINE: MARCH 3

City of Tampa Invests over $3 Million to Make Parks More Inclusive

The Tampa City Council and the Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency are investing over three million dollars to make local parks and playgrounds more inclusive.

The focus is on children with disabilities.

“People who have disabilities have a tendency to be lonely anyways. They are different. I consider it and we talk about it a lot here at PARC Center For Disabilities, it’s an invisible population,” said Michelle Detweiler.

Michelle Detweiler is CEO of the PARC Center for Disabilities and says the community needs to change so people with disabilities are included in everyday activities.

“Playing is great energy, exercising, you’re using your mind, you’re interacting with your peers, you don’t see a disability then,” said Detweiler.

Read more here

Lakeland’s Newest Retail, Mixed-Use Development Breaks Ground

Right now, it’s little more than a 22-acre dirt lot. But, in a year’s time, Lakeland residents will see brick and mortar, signaling the city’s first major redevelopment project in years and the next step in the revitalization of Lakeland’s Downtown West corridor.

After breaking ground earlier this month, developers of Lake Wire, the new retail and mixed-use project in downtown Lakeland, have hit the ground running with the first phase, consisting of 300 multifamily residential units and 15,000 square feet of retail space, scheduled to be completed in 2024.

Eventually, the development will feature more than 30,000 square feet of retail space and 630 multi-family residential units strategically located adjacent to Lakeland’s new privately funded 168-acre Bonnet Springs Park.

Read more here

Major Step in Revitalizing Downtown Williston Completed

The City of Williston’s Community Redevelopment Agency has completed a major phase in plans for downtown revitalization. This phase included renovating a city-owned “arcade” or walkway from Main Street to the back of the businesses, creating a community park off of NE First Avenue, and giving the participating businesses on Main Street a facelift.

The CRA contracted Gainesville-based Walker Architects to design the elements to be both modern and a nod to the historical architecture of the area. Oelrich Construction Inc., out of Jonesville, worked with Walker Architects to conduct the site work. Delays caused by COVID-19 and price increases due to supply chain problems were no problem for these professionals as the project still came in within budget ($740,069) and on time (December completion).

Read more here

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