Your Weekly FRA Update:

September 18, 2026

Registration is now open for the 2026 Annual FRA Conference in Charlotte Harbor, Florida, from October 20-23 at the Sunseeker Resort. 

Registration goes up by $100 at 5 PM on 9/25 - don't wait!

The conference will feature invited redevelopment speakers and panelists sharing best practices, reviewing legislation impacting CRAs in Florida, and networking opportunities to meet other redevelopment professionals. The FRA Annual Conference is the perfect event for elected officials, agency or government staff, redevelopment consultants, and vendors. We look forward to seeing you in beautiful Charlotte Harbor in October 2026!

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! Where Redevelopers Meet: Orlando CRA Tour Highlights Innovative Approaches to Housing and Redevelopment

CRAs build better communities! #redevelopmentworks



The Apopka, Bartow, Orlando and Winter Haven Community Redevelopment Agencies recently participated in “Where Redevelopers Meet – Orlando CRA Connect 407 Tour,” an opportunity for community redevelopment professionals to explore innovative redevelopment and housing initiatives taking place in Central Florida.

The tour brought together CRA representatives for a firsthand look at projects and programs addressing economic development, housing, homelessness, and community revitalization.

The group toured Creative Village, a transformative mixed-use development in downtown Orlando that demonstrates how public investment, strategic partnerships, and redevelopment can create new opportunities for education, housing, employment, and neighborhood revitalization.

Read more here

New! CRA Board to Consider TIF Agreement for Bimini East

CRAs build better communities! #redevelopmentworks



Cape Coral City Council, sitting as the South Cape Community Redevelopment Agency commission, is expected to vote on a Tax Increment Rebate Agreement of more than $45 million between the city and Crowne Development, Inc. and Bimini Basin Redevelopment Company, LLC Wednesday.

According to Resolution 11-26, “the city intends to convey the right, title and interest of that certain real property to Bimini Basin Redevelopment Company, LLC, (Owner) who shall then engage Crown Development, Inc. (Developer), to proceed forward with and completely develop the subject property into a mixed-use project containing a walkable and integrated open-air venue with dynamic public spaces and exceptional “live, work and play destination.”

The development agreement includes a minimum of 130,000 square feet of commercial space, a minimum of 150,00 square feet to a maximum of 200,000 square feet of medical use, a maximum of 900 residential units f townhomes, condominiums, and apartments, a bandshell, hotels, public parks, a pedestrian promenade to Bimini Square, four parking garages and a 50-slip transient boat dock.

Read more here

New! Bradenton Plans Renovations for Point Park University Campus

CRAs build better communities! #redevelopmentworks



The City of Bradenton and its Community Redevelopment Agency are prepared to invest millions of dollars into a university building in downtown Bradenton.

Pittsburgh-based Point Park University and the City of Bradenton recently announced plans to bring a satellite campus, focused on performing arts, to downtown Bradenton, and the City of Bradenton could spend up to $5 million to help attract the university to downtown.

The university, which has about 3,600 students, is known for its Conservatory for Performing Arts. At a recent Manatee County Commission meeting, commissioners approved the transfer of the former General Telephone (GTE) Building, valued at $1.2 million, to the City of Bradenton. The building, located at 1009 Fourth Avenue W., could be the first building for the Point Park University campus.

Read more here

Delray Beach to Break Ground on $59.19 Million Pompey Park Recreation Center

CRAs build better communities! #redevelopmentworks



The shovels were painted in August. On Sept. 10 they finally go into the ground.

The City of Delray Beach and the Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency have scheduled a groundbreaking ceremony for the Pompey Park revitalization on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, at 5 p.m. The ceremony will be held at Pompey Park, 1101 NW 2nd Street, and according to the city it is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

The event marks the formal construction start on a project that has been moving through City Hall for years and carries the largest parks price tag the city has approved in this cycle.

Delray Beach commissioners voted 4-1 in June to approve a guaranteed maximum price of $59,193,363 with Core Construction for the recreation center, as Boca Post reported. Commissioner Juli Casale cast the lone no vote after a debate over cost, timing and a late letter from another firm claiming it could cut the price by about $4.2 million.

Read more here

Growing Third Places in Riviera Beach

CRAs build better communities! #redevelopmentworks



Riviera Beach plans to upgrade its two public gardens and create events there where people can connect.

Why it matters: It’s an investment in third places in a city that is focused on strengthening the community.

Driving the news: Community Redevelopment Agency Executive Director Gedel Merzius explained the program at the board’s Aug. 12 meeting.

How it works: The CRA plans to focus on gardens in Riviera Beach Heights and Singer Island.

At Riviera Beach Heights, at 1010 W. 10th St., site renovations and refurbishment are planned. The raised garden beds will be replaced. In Singer Island, at 1131 E. Blue Heron Blvd., the garden bed rental will continue and enhancements are planned.

Read more here

Downtown Pizza Leading a Wave of New Restaurants in Lake Wales Historic District

CRAs build better communities! #redevelopmentworks



Leading a rush of new restaurants planned for the downtown Lake Wales Historic District, Downtown Pizza and Sports Bar is expected to open this month in a spacious suite of rooms on Stuart Avenue.

The new restaurant is relocating from a much smaller space in Dundee that owner Kevin Rodriguez said was preventing him from serving the larger groups that frequented his establishment. The new space will seat over 120, allowing him to add a full bar to his operation.

Rodriquez and his wife Janay had operated in Dundee since 2018, growing from a tiny two-table space to a 20-seat space, but were still constrained from the growth they sought. He moved to the area from south Florida 20 years ago as a nine-year-old, and the couple are relocating their home and their two children from Dundee to Lake Wales as well.

The downtown commercial business is seeing marked new interest following the initiation of a major streetscape project by the Community Redevelopment Agency. Completed portions of Park Avenue and First Street now offer shady, pedestrian friendly spaces and room for outdoor dining. Work has just begun on upgrades to Stuart Avenue, and a more extensive project is planned to begin soon on Orange and Crystal Avenues, The redevelopment of the Walesbilt Hotel into a 104-room Marriott, currently in the design phase, is expected to further spur the downtown economic environment.

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! Housing/Community Development Specialist (Home Rehabilitation Program)

📍 Location: Broward County

💼 Position Type: Full-Time

🏛 Department: RED HUP Home Rep

📅 Application Deadline: 9/25/2026 5:00 PM Eastern

🔎 Job Summary

This is a professional and administrative position with the Housing and Urban Planning Division that requires a candidate with thorough income certification experience and knowledge in the administering, implementing, and monitoring of affordable housing and/or community development programs funded from local, state or federal government sources. Knowledge of residential mortgage loan underwriting and experience with closing residential real estate transactions is required.

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

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