Your Weekly FRA Update:

May 11, 2023

2023 FRA AWARDS & ANNUAL CONFERENCE!

Note: The Cultural Enhancement Category has been updated – Art and cultural projects, events and activities that enhance redevelopment of an area and disseminate information about the CRA.

FRA Member News

New! Broward County’s First Shipping Container Restaurant Arrives in Hallandale Beach

The City of Hallandale Beach Community Redevelopment Agency is thrilled to welcome the first shipping container restaurant in Broward County, KAO Bar & Grill, to the newly rebranded District 8, formerly the Fashion and Art District (FAAD). The grand opening of KAO Bar and Grill will take place on Friday, May 19, 2023, from Noon to 11:00 pm, located at 11 NE 1st Avenue.

KAO Bar & Grill is a two-story unique concept of a shipping container restaurant that perfectly adds to Hallandale Beach’s vibrant and diverse community. The restaurant is a 5,000-square-foot design hand-painted by artist Falopapas.

More info here

New! New Park Opens Along Florida’s Manatee River with Trails, Art, and Focus on Water Quality

Palmetto has a scenic new park along the Manatee River that also plays a role in boosting local water quality.

Connor Park, which has been in the works for several years, features a walking trail, a public art installation and a stormwater pond that uses a natural treatment process to promote clean water. The park opened to the public in April.

“That is one of my favorite projects that we’ve done because it ties an opportunity for the community to really enjoy it, but it’s also such an environmental process that has been created there,” said Palmetto Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant. “The end result is beautiful, but everything has a purpose.”

More info here

New! Boynton Beach CRA Featured in NLC Report “Adapting to Changes in the Retail Landscape”

The BBCRA has been featured as a case study for our Economic Development Initiatives in the National League of Cities (NLC) new report, Adapting to Changes in the Retail Landscape.

The Future of Cities: Adapting to Changes in the Retail Landscape report analyzes current retail trends post-pandemic and offers recommendations for local leaders to support their communities. The report found that changes in central business districts have been profound, due in part to the rates of in-office work in certain geographies, and that recoveries have been uneven. In response to these changes, NLC provides recommendations for how cities, towns and villages can support their communities and retail ecosystems through recovery

More info here

New! Davie Town Council Approves “The District”

The Davie Town Council recently approved “The District”, a mixed-use project with a development value of $1 billion. The District will be located within the Davie CRA at the southwest corner of 441 and Griffin Road. It will be the largest project within the CRA containing 1,256 residential units and 36k square feet of commercial space. This substantial development will be the first major redevelopment project in the Town’s Transit-Oriented Corridor where heights exceeding 250 feet are permitted on 441. The Davie CRA will be incentivizing the project with financial assistance and impact fee credits totaling $5.6 million dollars, and the Town will also be providing $1 million dollars for a total of $6.6 million in incentives throughout the course of construction. Upon completion, the project will become the largest revenue-generating development in the Town.

More info here

New! Fort Myers CRA Announces Commercial Property Improvement Matching Grants

The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) announces that it has awarded one commercial property improvement matching grant to a local business.

Bennie Tyrone Shoemaker and Mattie Shoemaker Young of Veronica Shoemaker Florist, in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Redevelopment Area, has been awarded a grant not to exceed the amount of $9,029.10.

The CRA’s support for commercial property improvements contributes to revitalizing neighborhoods, promoting a vibrant, safe, and inviting atmosphere.

More info here

How a Lunch and Learn on Community Revitalization Sparked My Interest in Getting Involved

"The Community Redevelopment Agency held a Lunch and Learn earlier this year to educate community leaders and citizens on the services provided by the CRA that address neighborhoods affected by blight. The event was attended by nearly 100 people. Tallahassee city commissioners and staff shared their views of what the agency has to offer and how it can assist specific neighborhoods in Tallahassee.

Why should I care what goes on in neighborhoods around the city? I was raised in Tallahassee. I happen to enjoy the canopy roads, hot summers with afternoon showers, and football season. I enjoy visiting neighborhoods city during the holidays, especially Christmas. I like looking at the lights and other decorations. I like knowing that my hometown is a safe place. It makes me feel good to gaze at beautiful homes with well-manicured lawns and to drive through communities with people out walking their dogs.

So, when I received a flyer about the CRA event, I wasn’t sure how the event applied to me. However, it specifically stated any interested citizen can attend. I thought to myself, I’d like to learn more about different neighborhoods, such as Lafayette Park, Forest Heights, and the Macon Community. I decided to attend the session. Plus, lunch was being served, and this was a constructive way to spend a Saturday afternoon."

More info here

Tallahassee CRA Approves $7 Million in Assistance for Workforce Housing

On Tuesday, the Tallahassee Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) voted 5-0 to authorize staff to execute a memorandum of understanding to facilitate a $7 million loan for a 300-unit workforce housing development to be constructed downtown.

The agreement is with Global City, a real estate development organization that has completed a number of similar projects in the southeastern United States.

The application submitted to the CRA includes details for the construction of a 7-story, 300-unit development of workforce housing at 309 West Tennessee Street. Based on the conceptual layout, the development would consist of 10,000 square feet of ground floor retail, and a parking garage.

More info here

Another Rooftop Restaurant Proposed for Palmetto Overlooking Manatee River

Ron Allen’s booming NDC Construction could also soon be developing another prime waterfront property. NDC has partnered with the Hatfield Development Co. to make a $3.5 million bid to purchase Palmetto Community Redevelopment Agency’s land by the base of the Green Bridge that’s currently being used as overflow parking for the Riverside Boat Ramp, my colleague Mendoza reported.

More info here

PCB Community Redevelopment Agency Gives Update On Projects

The CRA is working on the Alf Coleman project and the Front Beach Road project.

The Front Beach Road project will run from Lullwater Drive to Pier Park. The main route will be West Park Drive.

The plan is also to make Pier Park Drive friendly for pedestrians. There will be no turns from Front Beach Road into Pier Park.

For Alf Coleman they will raise the road above the 100-year flood plain, improving drainage and building sidewalks.

More info here

New Workforce Homes in Delray Beach

PulteGroup’s Southeast Florida division and the Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) celebrated the completion of Carver Square, a new workforce housing community with 20 affordably priced homes. The event recognized the organizations that pulled together to put home ownership within the financial reach of local low- and moderate-income buyers.

“By building workforce housing at Carver Square, we are fulfilling our promise to give back to our local communities,” said PulteGroup Southeast Florida Division President Brent Baker. “This project is addressing a great need for Delray Beach and revitalizing the economy of this historic area.”

More info here

Coral Springs Redevelopment Agency Approves Tax Rebate for Developer

Coral Springs redevelopment officials approved this week a tax rebate for the developer of Cornerstone that could be worth as much as $17 million.

The money that the master development company, Predeso Property Investments, is set to receive will come from the additional tax revenue expected from the spike in the value of the property on which the housing, retail, and hotel development is being built on the southwest corner of University Drive and Sample Road in Coral Springs.

The rebate was included in a new agreement approved by the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency board, in a 5-1 vote, on Monday.

More info here

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RFPs and RFQs

New! Professional Services For New Community Redevelopment Plan For the City of Cedar Key

It is the intent of the City Commission of Cedar Key, Florida to select a professional company, consultant teams and/or an individual contractor to create a New Community Redevelopment Plan for the City downtown district and other possible areas within the City.

Time and Due Date: The City of Cedar Key will accept Proposals that must include statements of qualifications from firms/individuals, corporations, partnerships, and other legal entities authorized to conduct business in the State of Florida. The proposals must be received by the City by June 13, 2023 no later than 4:00 pm.

RFP info here

Urban Planning, Design, Research, Analysis and Plan Amendment Services for Update of the Pensacola Community Redevelopment Plans

RFQ No.: 23-014

Title: Urban Planning, Design, Research, Analysis and Plan Amendment Services for Update of the Pensacola Community Redevelopment Plans

Submittals Due: 06/01/23, 2:30 P.M., City Hall lobby

Specifications are available on the City’s website at www.cityofpensacola.com/bids.aspx. Addenda will be posted to the City’s website. Respondents are responsible for obtaining addenda, and are advised to check the website frequently.

RFP info here

RFP: Triangle Project Development Partner – City of Homestead

In accordance with Section 163.380(3)(A), Florida Statutes, the City of Homestead is announcing its intent to enter into a long-term ground lease for an approximately 2.06-acre parcel located at SW 4th Street and Railroad Avenue for the development of mixed-use transit-oriented project.

Deadline: May 12, 2023 no later than 2:00 p.m.

RFP info here

Jobs

New! Executive Director, Community Redevelopment Agency – City of Bartow

Type: Full Time

Salary/Pay Rate: $79,643.20 – $112,536.24

Deadline to Apply: 05/22/2023

Job info here

New! Communications Director – City of Bartow

This position requires proven leadership, management and communication skills assisting the City Manager’s Office in the engagement and communication with internal and external stakeholders. Leads, monitors, assesses, and evaluates City services, operations, and actions and develops appropriate informational pieces for use in communicating with staff, elected officials, residents, partners, and stakeholders. Through collaboration with administrative personnel in the departments, develops organizational messages, press releases, and official statements of dissemination via the City website, social media, radio, traditional print media, and television.

Deadilne to apply: June 5

Job info here

New! Senior Coordinator Competitive Site Analyst (Economic Development) – Hillsborough County

Reporting to the Competitive Sites Manager, this position performs highly responsible professional duties related to a proactive and holistic effort to position competitive sites within Hillsborough County. This position provides support to the manager and department leadership in program administration, client outreach, and data analysis to assist County efforts in incentivizing strategic real estate development. This position is essential in assisting the County in diversifying its economic base by attracting jobs and investment to unincorporated Hillsborough County.

Job info here

New! Senior Coordinator Redevelopment Site Analysis (Economic Development) – Hillsborough County

The Senior Coordinator of Redevelopment Site Analysis reports to the Competitive Sites Manager. This position performs highly responsible, independent professional duties related to a proactive and holistic effort to attract private capital investment into the County’s redevelopment areas to fuel economic prosperity.

The ideal candidate will be one who can focus primarily on working with business and property owner applicants in processing redevelopment program incentive requests through an on-line application portal, preparing associated agreements and agenda items for BOCC approval, monitoring the progress of the associated incentive work, assisting applicants in filing reimbursement claims at the conclusion of the work and maintaining project files documenting the work from start to finish.

Job info here

CRA Legal Advisor — City of Fort Myers

Salary: $90,001.60 – $150,009.60 Annually

Closing: OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Description:

Located in beautiful southwest Florida on the Caloosahatchee River and minutes from the gulf coast beaches, the City of Fort Myers is one of the fastest-growing municipalities in the country with a population of over 86,000. The city enjoys a strong economic base with a vibrant historic downtown, many arts and cultural venues and many development and redevelopment opportunities. Fort Myers is a business-friendly city with a visionary City Council, professional executive management team and a diverse and engaged community.

Job info here

Economic Development Director — City of Winter Garden

The City of Winter Garden is seeking an Economic Development Director. The ideal candidate provides vision and leadership in planning, developing, directing, and daily oversight of economic development programs and projects within the City. This candidate also possesses an extensive background in economic development and public sector management with proven success in program development, creative ideas and solutions. The position reports to the City Manager.

Job info here