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Your Weekly FRA Update:
August 14, 2025
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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.
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New! Riviera Beach’s Villa L’Onz Residences are Coming to Avenue E
CRAs improve communities #redevelopmentworks
Riviera Beach launched an affordable housing project last week in its booming Marina District off Broadway.
Villa L’Onz will be on 11th Street and Avenue E on the city’s south end, one block west of Broadway.
The first phase will be a $7.5 million development with 12 two- and three-bedroom townhouses.
An identical row of townhouses will follow to the north.
Then, builders will begin to construct 30 apartment-style condominiums and space for a store.
It’s an important step because Palm Beach County has an affordable and workforce housing crisis, the county’s Housing and Leadership Council said last year.
Home prices and rents continue to rise at a pace that outstrips the increase in workforce income and challenges the ability to retain and attract workers.
The county got voter permission to borrow $200 million to help developers build more affordable homes.
The project’s partners, the Riviera Beach CRA and the city’s Community Development Corp., are investing $3 million and have borrowed $4.5 million to get Villa L’Onz off the ground, CDC Executive Director Annetta Jenkins said.
Read more here
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New! Two New Dog Parks Are Coming to the Tampa Riverwalk
CRAs improve communities #redevelopmentworks
Tampa’s Riverwalk will soon welcome two new dog parks, giving small and large breeds their own dedicated spaces to play. The project is a collaboration between the City of Tampa, the Parks and Recreation Department, the Downtown Community Redevelopment Agency, and the Tampa Museum of Art, which is also undergoing a major renovation.
As part of the $24.75 million reimbursement grant approved by the Community Redevelopment Agency for the museum’s expansion, $1.4 million is earmarked for the new dog parks and other park upgrades.
Once the dog parks are complete, additional work will include construction of a four-story, 55,000-square-foot glass pier on the Hillsborough River, upgrades to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, elevator access to the Poe Parking Garage, and more.
“This is an especially beautiful collaborative project,” said Mayor Jane Castor. “Tampa’s dogs and their owners get two new dog parks. The wonderful Tampa Museum gets space to expand. And the Riverwalk, a true signature element of our city, will be even more engaging and beautiful. It’s a win-win-win.”
Read more here
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New! Clearwater Business Owner Hopes CRA Funding Continues
CRAs increase business opportunities for residents, merchants, and investors
#redevelopmentworks
Many local business owners rely on grants from community redevelopment agencies to make ends meet.
This year, the legislature considered major changes, including the possibility of eliminating CRAs by 2045, creating an uncertain future.
One of the owners of Downtown Pizza Sports Bar and Grill said they’ve used $22,000 in CRA grants to make renovations.
The Clearwater CRA said it is always concerned legislation could eliminate the agency
Spectrum News reached out to last session’s CRA bill sponsors to see if the bills will be filed again and didn’t get an answer. CRAs were created to eliminate blight and revitalize urban areas.
Downtown Pizza Sports Bar and Grill, one of the businesses keeping an eye on the issue, is under new ownership.
To help the business thrive, they’ve been making renovations since they bought the place. About $65,000 went into a new patio set-up and kitchen and bar equipment. Mahoney said $22,000 in CRA grants helped offset the cost.
Read more here
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Downtown Glenwood? Panama City Approves Development Agreement for Anticipated Project
CRAs increase business opportunities for residents, merchants, and investors
#redevelopmentworks
The city approved a development agreement with the Sankofa Group for the Glenwood Town Center project during its July 30 commission meeting.
Development concepts for this area at 15th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard have been in the works since at least 2021, when the commission approved the strategic vision for the neighborhood.
The agreement included the sale of 15 parcels for $415,000, with the Community Redevelopment Agency having tight involvement in the development process.
Read more here
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Tarpon Springs Moves Ahead with $2.2M East Orange Street Widening
CRAs transform streetscapes and improve communities
#redevelopmentworks
City commissioners are moving forward with design plans for a long-awaited reconstruction and widening of East Orange Street that could cost up to $2.2 million and be funded through the downtown Community Redevelopment Agency next fiscal year.
The project would address the deteriorating brick roadway between Pinellas and Safford avenues, which currently fails to meet modern fire code requirements with drive lanes only 9 feet wide instead of the required 10 feet.
During their July 22 meeting, commissioners approved design work for the project after reviewing three alternatives presented by interim Public Works and Project Administration Director Bob Robertson.
Read more here
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Tampa City Council Resolution Paves the Way for Jackson House Restoration
CRAs preserve and showcase the area’s history and cultural heritage
#redevelopmentworks
The historic Jackson House north of downtown Tampa is one step closer to preservation.
At a Tampa City Council meeting on Thursday, Accardi Properties — which owns the parking lot adjacent to the Jackson House on East Zack Street — agreed to make a 10-foot strip available on either side of the house.
As part of the agreement with the city, Accardi will obtain an alley between East Twiggs and East Zack streets.
The city’s Community Redevelopment Agency has also allocated $1.2 million for improvements to the intersection.
Read more here
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New! Economic Development Manager – City of Dunedin
Hiring Salary: $67,308.80 – $80,766.40 (DOQ)
Additional Compensation Benefits:
Flexible work schedules
3 medical insurance plans through Cigna
Dental Care
Vision Care
Annual & Sick Leave @ 5 % of scheduled annual hours
Defined Contribution Plan 401(a) with generous 8% City contribution
Life Insurance and Long Term Disability
11 paid holidays
Paid Parental Leave
Under general supervision, performs professional and managerial work related to the development and implementation of economic development plans, programs and services, and supporting management of the City’s Community Redevelopment District. Work requires considerable independent judgement following established guidelines, codes, rules and policies. Serves as the department’s acting director when designated. Reports to the Economic & Housing Development Director.
Read more here
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Redevelopment Planner – City of Melbourne
Salary Range: $63,972.84 – $104,824.63 annually
Description:
Under the general supervision of the Community Development Director or one of the managers, performs planning and redevelopment functions involving urban and community redevelopment planning, including coordination of activities for the community redevelopment agencies (CRA)’s. The employee may be responsible for a variety of planning, community redevelopment and economic development functions, including representing the department before local boards, managing the distribution of planning work to other associates, support staff and assistants.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree in urban or regional planning, public administration, business administration or related field;
Minimum of one year of professional urban planning or community development related experience is required.
Read more here
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Community Development & Project Manager – City of Winter Park
This position is responsible for providing project management services for the City of Winter Park and Winter Park Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) including capital project
management from inception to completion. You will be spending time working with heads and leads of other departments to achieve productivity, along with visiting construction sites, check on progress, and solving problems.
This position will direct project consultants and contractors under the supervision of OMB leadership. This also includes writing and/or reviewing Requests for Qualifications and Requests for Proposals, Bids, monitoring contracts and site work. Employee is also expected to attend and speak in internal, external, and board meetings as required. Applicant must be passionate and have a high degree of energy and dedication and be able to work independently and possess strong public speaking skills.
Closing Date
8/29/2025 at 4:00 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Read more here
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Assistant Director of Redevelopment, Real Estate & Market Economics – City Of Homestead, CRA
The Assistant Director for Redevelopment, Real Estate & Market Economics plays a key leadership role within the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), overseeing complex redevelopment initiatives, real estate transactions, and market-driven economic strategies. This position is responsible for negotiating development agreements, crafting public-private partnerships, preparing incentive packages, and managing consultant contracts. The Assistant Director provides strategic oversight of redevelopment projects, capital improvements, and economic development initiatives that align with the City’s Master Plan. They serve as the CRA’s liaison with internal departments, development professionals, and the public to advance the agency’s goals in property revitalization, business attraction, and infrastructure investment.
This full-time, in-person role requires strong expertise in real estate development, market analysis, project management, and fiscal oversight. The ideal candidate holds a degree in a related field, possesses at least five years of experience in redevelopment or economic development, and is proficient in pro forma analysis, incentive financing tools (e.g., LIHTC, New Markets Tax Credits, Live Local Act), and capital planning. Strong communication skills are essential for preparing reports, presenting to boards, and representing the CRA in public forums. The role also involves occasional evening and weekend work and is designated as essential personnel.
Read more here
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City Planner: City of Temple Terrace
Position: City Planner
Position No.: 3.302
Department: Community Development
Salary: $90,000 – $115,000 annually
This is highly responsible professional work in the Community Development Department’s Planning Division.
Responsibilities include site plan reviews, staff presentations to City Council, supervision of the division’s staff; preparation of the division’s budget; special projects, studies and reports; historic preservation; downtown redevelopment; river preservation; and development and maintenance of the Land Development Code and Level of Service Standards.
Requires coordination with other City staff, contractors, developers, land use professionals, the City/County Planning Commission and other governmental agencies and the public.
The position functions as part of the Community Development Department management team and may, at the designation of the Director, serve as acting Community Development Director.
Read more here
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