Your Weekly FRA Update:

May 18, 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! Art Exhibit Focused On Cuba Opens Friday In Clearwater

The Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency is hosting two new art exhibits at the Clearwater Main Library showcasing the beauty and culture of Cuba, featuring the artwork of legendary photographer Clyde Butcher and local Tampa Bay artists.

“Cuba: The Natural Beauty,” by photographer Clyde Butcher, is the result of a commission by the United Nations to create a portfolio of the mountainous lands of Cuba. Butcher set out on three week-long expeditions into unfamiliar lands. He explored the island country’s varied geographic regions, from the Sierra Maestra Mountains in Cuba’s eastern Granma province to the southern coast between Manzananilo and Santiago de Cuba. He ventured to places including Baracoa in the northeast, the southern waterfalls of the Serra de San Juan, and the mogotes of the west in the Piña del Rio region.

More info here

New! How ‘Navigators’ Help Broward’s Homeless Find a Place to Live

Michael Sturrup parks his car in front of an apartment complex just north of the Dorsey Riverbend neighborhood in Fort Lauderdale. He’s checking in on one of his clients, Donolyn Williams, a disabled 63-year-old woman who had been homeless for about three years.

Her new apartment has a ramp for her walker — one Sturrup got installed. He hands her three Publix gift cards for groceries and other household items she’ll need for her new home — a shower curtain and broom are among her top priorities.

Sturrup is one of two “housing navigators” in Broward County’s Housing Options, Solutions, and Support Division. His job is to help people like Williams to find a place to live.

More info here

New! New Skatepark Celebrated

On Tuesday, May 2, the city of Pensacola celebrated the completion of the Blake Doyle Skatepark at Hollice T. Williams Park with a ribbon cutting and grand opening event. This commemorated a highly anticipated and monumental project for the Pensacola skate community.

The Pensacola community joined Mayor D.C. Reeves and Upward Intuition to celebrate this exciting project, which includes approximately 25,000 square feet of skateable surface area for skaters of all ages and skill levels. The skatepark features a beginner area, a multi-level skate plaza, two skate bowls, and an additional 5,700 square feet of surrounding sidewalk and gathering areas.

More info here

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 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

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

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

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

More FRA Member News to Use!

Click here to see all news articles. We love to share our member news and regularly post on social media!

Have something special to share? Email fra@flcities.com and let us know!

RFPs and RFQs

New! RFP #23-11 For the Purchase of City-Owned Property and Provision of a Mixed use Commercial Development

The City of Sebastian is requesting proposals from qualified real estate developers/investors/operators for the purchase and redevelopment of city-owned property located at 100 Veterans Memorial Way, Sebastian, FL 32958 (former Public Works Compound). This Request for Proposal (“RFP”) is issued in accordance with the disposal of real property provisions set forth in Section 163.380, Florida Statutes. The Sebastian Community Redevelopment Agency “CRA” invites Proposers to submit their qualifications, approach, conceptual design, financial and other terms for the Proposer to purchase, design, permit, construct, finance, operate and maintain a mixed-use commercial/industrial development on a 4.42+/- acre site, minus Veterans Memorial Way right of way. The City will NOT pay real estate commissions on this sale.

Proposals are Due by Friday, July 14, 2023 @ 2:00 PM

RFP info here

New! Request for Proposals (RFP) 2023-03 Impact Fee Study – City of Crescent City

The City of Crescent City (hereinafter referred to as the City) is seeking proposals from qualified firms, teams or individuals with experience in reestablishing a schedule of impact fees referenced in Chapter 2, Section 2.5 of the Code of Ordinances, and accordingly update the Capital Improvements Element (CIE) of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The impact fees to be considered are Transportation, Water, Sewer, Parks, Fire and Law Enforcement.

Deadline for Questions: May 25, 2023 @ 5PM

Due Date: May 31, 2023 @ 4:00 PM

RFP info here

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

Jobs

New! Redevelopment Planner (CRA) – City of Kissimmee

This professional will serve two dynamic and diverse Community Redevelopment Areas (CRAs) within the rapidly growing City of Kissimmee, Florida. This advanced professional work will create opportunities to shape and redevelop two distinct CRA districts. The City’s Historic Downtown CRA is focused on revitalization and community enhancement within Downtown Kissimmee; and the Vine Street CRA district seeks to maximize redevelopment on a major roadway corridor. With guidance from the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Manager, the CRA Redevelopment Planner is responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing redevelopment opportunities, such as soliciting reuse and redevelopment of underutilized properties, hands on planning work with CRA stakeholders, marketing redevelopment incentives to attract capital investment, initiating capital improvement projects to enhance the public domain. The CRA Redevelopment Planner is a highly visible position with responsibilities involving frequent community engagement and outreach, as a liaison to local governments, organizations, businesses, and property owners with the overall goal of growth and development of the City’s economic base.

Job info here

New! Executive Director CRA – City of Bradenton

Department: Community Redevelopment Agency

Compensation: Director – DOQ

Hours: Full Time

Deadline: Open until filled

The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) within the City of Bradenton is seeking an experienced Executive Director with extensive knowledge to manage the professional work activities of the Bradenton CRA, the Central CRA, and the 14th Street CRA. This individual will have experience in working with staff, developers, investors, and business owners to promote the economic growth and the vision of the City of Bradenton and the Community Redevelopment Areas.

Job info here

New! Senior Planner (Neighborhood Outreach), City of Lakeland

This is responsible professional and technical work in the field of urban planning and community development. Work involves conducting complex assignments requiring considerable skill in research, analysis and presentation of data. Work includes the development of specific plans, studies and recommendations. Technical advice and assistance is given to neighborhood interest groups, property owners, and develops to address both community and development goals. Developing public and interdepartmental relationships is a key aspect of this position. Work is performed according to general instructions from a professional supervisor with considerable latitude for independent initiative and judgment. Position Reports to Assistant Director of Community Development.

Job info here

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

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

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

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