Your Weekly FRA Update:

July 23, 2026

Join Community Redevelopment Agencies across Florida to celebrate Redevelopment Week, September 14-18, 2026.

Click to view our toolkit, which provides ready-to-use resources to help your CRA participate in a coordinated statewide campaign that highlights the projects, partnerships, and investments transforming communities across Florida.

To introduce this exciting new initiative, the FRA will host a Florida Redevelopment Week Kickoff Webinar on Friday, July 31, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. (ET).


Click HERE to join the webinar. No registration is required—simply use the link to join on July 31.

FRA Webinar: Brownfield Basics


This informative webinar covers the fundamentals of brownfield redevelopment and the tools available to help Florida communities transform environmentally impacted properties into productive assets.

Presented by FRA Board Member and EnSafe's National Brownfields Practice Leader Miles Ballogg, the session explores funding opportunities, redevelopment strategies, and the tools Florida CRAs can use to turn challenging sites into community assets. Attendees will also see award-winning project examples from across the state and gain practical insights to support economic development, housing, healthcare, and revitalization efforts.

The FRA Core Course, "CRA 101,” will be held on August 7 in Orlando!

A core course in the FRA Academy, CRA 101 covers such topics as:

• History of Redevelopment (Main Street, DDAs, CRAs)

• Main Street Designation (Process, Criteria, Funding)

• Creating and Managing a CRA

• Chapter 163, process to establish, authorities

• CRA Plan contents, modifications, eligible expenditures

• Governance types, powers, bond issuance, staffing, legal

council, working with City/County departments

• State Statutory Requirements (Sunshine, Ethics, Reporting, Annual Reports, Public Records)

• Redevelopment Organizations as Resources

The FRA Academy is a one-of-a-kind educational program designed to establish a foundational level of knowledge and professionalism in community redevelopment. Open to everyone interested in learning about redevelopment practices in Florida, the courses are accessible to anyone who completes the registration process and submits payment.

FRA Member News

The FRA features member news in our weekly newsletter and on our social media channels - make sure you are following the FRA social media feeds to see CRA member posts; plus you can share news from the FRA's "Redevelopment Works" campaign!

FRA Members - share your stories and successes with the FRA - email us at fra@flcities.com and include a description or press release, and a photo!



New! Building a Better Haines City, One Project at a Time

CRAs build better communities! #redevelopmentworks



Haines City Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Manager/Consultant Alex Abraham has a doctorate in biomedical engineering. But these days, he’s focused on restoring the health of his city, rejuvenating the properties within his community.

The son of entrepreneurs, Abraham also does commercial development, property management and migrant labor transportation.

But it’s his role as a corporate strategist that led him to his current role with the Haines City CRA.

“I do business consulting, general operations, working with both municipalities and private companies, and help them to figure out how to make their processes or operations more efficient,” said Abraham, who was initially brought in solely as a consultant for the CRA, before being asked to manage the entity on an interim basis while the city searches for a longtime fit for the role.

Abraham wasted no time rolling up his sleeves and getting to work.

Read more here

New! Lakeland’s Midtown Redevelopment Plan Focuses on Businesses, Housing, History

CRAs build better communities! #redevelopmentworks



Lakeland’s Midtown could see major changes under a new plan from the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).

For Denise Gilmore, Midtown isn’t just where she owns a business — it’s home.

“My grandmother and my grandfather had this property, and I inherited it from them, and I wanted to bring something back to the neighborhood where I grew up,” Gilmore said.

Gilmore opened Mary’s Bagel Café four years ago. Since then, she’s expanded into catering, meal prep, and a nonprofit pantry. But she told Tampa Bay 28 reporter Rebecca Petit, that Midtown needs more investment.

“The business has been successful, and I hope that it will stay successful here, but we need other businesses in the area. The area needs to be cleaned up. The parks need to be revamped. It just needs to look right,” Gilmore said.

The Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency’s (CRA) new draft Midtown plan aims to do just that.

As the city’s largest redevelopment district, Midtown spans 27 neighborhoods. The proposal includes more workforce housing, medical offices, and retail near Lakeland Regional Health. Also, new restaurants, entertainment and lodging around Tigertown, and improvements along Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue with public art, local businesses and a heritage trail.

Read more here

New! Compass Hotel Is Flagler Beach’s Inaugural Winner of Monthly Downtown Beauty Contest

CRAs build better communities! #redevelopmentworks



Flagler Beach government named the Compass Hotel by Margaritaville as the first recipient of a monthly beauty contest for its downtown district, an initiative cooked up by the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board to pat local businesses and residents on the back for keeping up appearances. The hotel, whose owner, Manoj Bhoola, sits on the advisory board, is the July 2026 recipient.

The new CRA Monthly Beautification Award will single out one commercial or residential property every month within the redevelopment zone. The Community Redevelopment Agency is the downtown zone the city designated as the equivalent of an enterprise area. Most of the property taxes generated there must be reinvested in the zone for the life of the CRA.

The city says the prize honors exceptional property maintenance and a commitment to sprucing up the town. CRA Director Casey Ryan said the program aims to foster community pride and highlight people who make the area look welcoming to both locals and tourists.

Read more here

Clearwater Set to Allow Mobile Vendors on Cleveland Street

CRAs build better communities! #redevelopmentworks



Mobile vendors could soon sell their wares along the 400 and 500 blocks of Cleveland Street under a proposed exception to the city’s vending rules, part of a broader effort to bring new life to the downtown corridor.

The change is tied to the Cleveland Street Activation Initiative, a $500,000 program led by the Downtown Development Board and the Community Redevelopment Agency to revitalize the downtown core and sustain foot traffic.

“The city would like to help activate that area, so what this ordinance proposes is to make an exception that allows mobile vendors just in the 400 and 500 block of Cleveland Street,” interim City Attorney Owen Kohler said.

The Downtown Development Board began recruiting participants in a June 2 Facebook post, inviting vendors offering artisan goods, handmade products, crafts, hobby items, retail merchandise and pop-up concepts. Businesses and artists can take part through the city’s Mobile Vendor Right-of-Way Program, which the board said allows operation in flexible, non-permanent spaces.

Read more here

Detailed Construction Ramps Up Along Tampa’s West Riverwalk Extension

CRAs build better communities! #redevelopmentworks



As work on the West Riverwalk extension continues to ramp up, city of Tampa officials are giving a closer look into the complex nature of the construction.

During a news conference taking place Tuesday, engineers discussed how crews are building the support structures for the project’s overwater sections.

According to city officials, new pedestrian bridges are a critical piece of creating what will be a continuous 12.2-mile pathway to connect the west side of the Hillsborough River directly to the city.

Construction started in May to install nearly 70 drilled shafts to support three overwater structures: the Platt Street Pedestrian Bridge, the Brorein Street Pedestrian Bridge, and the Tony Jannus Park Observation Overlook.

For maximum stability, specialized crews are drilling each support roughly 40 feet down into the riverbed, with some shafts reaching nearly 50 feet deep.

The nearly $60 million project is supported by a $24 million federal BUILD grant, along with an additional $10 million contribution from the West Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency.

Read more here

Sebring CRA Eyes Grants for Motorsports Museum

CRAs build better communities! #redevelopmentworks



Between two grants and matching funds, the Sebring Community Redevelopment Agency is looking to have more than $1.8 million for the construction of a motorsports museum in downtown Sebring.

CRA staff is working to submit a grant application for Florida’s Cultural Division of Arts and Culture Cultural Facilities Grant Program requesting $500,000 for the construction of the Sebring Motorsports Heritage Museum Project that is slated to occupy the first floor of the old Bank of America building at 231 S. Ridgewood Drive.

The grant requires a one to one match amount of up to $500,000 pending the amount the CRA is potentially awarded for the grant.

Read more here

JOBS

Want to see all of the redevelopment positions available from FRA members across the state of Florida?

Click here for more jobs!

New! CRA Accounting Finance Manager – City of Boynton Beach

📍 Location: Boynton Beach, FL

💼 Position Type: Full-Time

🏛 Department: Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)

📅 Application Deadline: 8/7/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

The Boynton Beach CRA is seeking a Finance Manager to oversee the daily operations of its Finance Department and support the agency’s financial planning, budgeting, accounting, procurement, and audit functions.

This position works closely with the Executive Director to ensure the CRA’s financial operations are accurate, efficient, and compliant with governmental accounting standards.

🔎 Job Summary

The Finance Manager is responsible for managing the CRA’s financial operations, including accounts payable, payroll and benefits administration, budgeting, financial reporting, procurement, bank reconciliations, and audit coordination. The position also assists with policy development, budget preparation, and financial planning while supporting special projects and organizational initiatives.

Read more here

CRA Manager – City of Haines City

📍 Location: Haines City, FL

💼 Position Type: Full-Time

💰 Salary Range: $79,149.41 – $114,632.10 annually

📊 Department: Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)

📅 Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

The City of Haines City is seeking a CRA Manager to lead redevelopment initiatives and oversee implementation of community redevelopment plans within the City’s CRA districts.

This position plays a key role in advancing redevelopment projects, economic development strategies, property redevelopment efforts, and long-term community revitalization initiatives.

🔎 Job Summary

Under the direction of City Administration, the CRA Manager is responsible for managing redevelopment programs, coordinating projects and consultants, overseeing CRA operations, and supporting implementation of redevelopment strategies throughout the community.

Read more here

Executive Coordinator – City of Delray Beach

 📍 Location: Delray Beach, FL

💼 Position Type: Full-Time

💰 Salary Range: $50,000 – $78,000

📊 Department: Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)

📅 Status: Open Position

The Delray Beach CRA is seeking an Executive Coordinator to provide administrative and project support for CRA operations, Board coordination, records management, communications, marketing, and special events.

This highly organized and detail-oriented position supports the implementation of the Community Redevelopment Plan and assists with a variety of operational, administrative, and community engagement initiatives.

🔎 Job Summary

Reporting directly to the CRA Executive Director, this role provides executive-level administrative support, manages Board coordination activities, assists with communications and marketing efforts, and supports special projects and CRA-sponsored events.

🛠 Key Responsibilities

• Provide administrative and project support to CRA leadership and staff

• Manage calendars, appointments, travel arrangements, and scheduling

• Coordinate records management and retention programs

• Maintain paper and electronic filing systems

• Serve as CRA Board Liaison and coordinate Board meeting materials and agendas

• Attend Board meetings and transcribe meeting minutes

• Coordinate CRA disaster preparedness updates

• Assist with social media management and digital communications

• Support website updates and maintenance

• Assist with marketing collateral, newsletters, press releases, and outreach materials

• Coordinate CRA special events, ribbon cuttings, and community activities

• Manage special projects and provide office administration backup support

• Provide Florida State Notary Public services

Read more here

Permit Technician – City of Bradenton Beach

📍 Location: Bradenton Beach, FL

💼 Position Type: Full-Time

🏛 Department: Planning & Development / Building Department

📅 Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

The City of Bradenton Beach is seeking a Permit Technician to support the Building Department by processing permits, assisting residents and contractors, and providing administrative support for planning and development activities.

This position is ideal for someone who enjoys customer service, organization, and working in a fast-paced municipal environment.

🔎 Job Summary

The Permit Technician serves as the first point of contact for the Building Department, processing building and zoning permit applications, assisting the public and contractors, preparing board agendas and minutes, and ensuring permitting activities comply with established policies and procedures.

Read more here

Building Official - City of Bradenton Beach

📍 Location: Bradenton Beach, FL

💼 Position Type: Full-Time

💰 Starting Salary: $120,000+ DOQ

📅 Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

The City of Bradenton Beach is seeking an experienced Building Official to lead the City’s Building Department and oversee permitting, inspections, code enforcement, and floodplain compliance activities.

This department head position supervises the City’s Code Enforcement Officer, Permit Clerk, and Permit Technician while ensuring compliance with all applicable building, zoning, land development, FEMA, accessibility, energy, and environmental regulations.

🔎 Job Summary

Under administrative direction, this position performs technical, supervisory, and administrative work related to plans review, inspections, code enforcement, permitting, and regulatory compliance. The Building Official is responsible for administering and enforcing local building and development codes while ensuring construction projects meet all applicable standards and requirements.

Read more here

Building Inspector – City of Brooksville

STARTING PAY: $60,320/yr (commensurate with experience)

JOB SUMMARY: This position involves performing technical inspections of building construction, alterations, and repairs to ensure compliance with established building codes, regulations, and safety standards. The role includes reviewing plans and specifications for construction projects, conducting on-site inspections, and identifying any potential issues or violations. The primary goal is to ensure that all construction activities meet safety, structural integrity, and legal requirements. The inspector will be responsible for issuing permits, providing guidance on code compliance, and collaborating with contractors, architects, and engineers to address any concerns or discrepancies during the construction process.

Read more here

RFPs / RFQs / LOIs

Want to see all of the redevelopment FRPs/RFQs/LOIs from FRA members across the state of Florida?

Click here for more RFPs!

MORE FRA RESOURCES

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