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March 14, 2024

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FRA Member News

NEW! Key Detail – 1948 Harrison Street

Key Detail is a Belarusian artist who works with painting, drawing, and illustrations. He studied Architecture in Minsk, Belarus, and currently lives and works in New York City.

Growing up in Minsk, Key Detail has been active on the street art scene since 2000 and has worked consistently towards developing his unique style and skills on the streets. Today, Key Detail is one of the best Belarusian artists who began his art career with street art and successfully continued it as an internationally known mural artist. The work on Harrison Street has come to fruition with support from the Hollywood Community Redevelopment Agency.

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NEW! Orlando to Buy Two Downtown Properties to Expand Lake Eola Park

Three of the properties will increase the amount of park space in the city’s downtown, while two will specifically expand the city’s crown jewel: Lake Eola Park.

The purchases, totaling $19.4 million, will be paid for by Community Redevelopment Agency funding and will not affect the city’s budget. The city has openly wished to buy three of them, though in the past was told the parcels weren’t for sale.

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NEW! Lake Wales Reclaims Historic Walesbilt Hotel After Court Victory Over Fraud Claims

In a landmark decision, Lake Wales is set to reclaim the Walesbilt Hotel, a historic but neglected downtown icon, following a Circuit Court ruling. The city’s long-standing legal battle with the property’s current owner, Dixie-Walesbilt LLC, culminated in a victory that addresses false claims made during the renovation contract bidding process in 2010.

While the city of Lake Wales and its Community Redevelopment Agency celebrate this legal victory, the future of the Walesbilt Hotel remains a subject of interest and speculation. The city’s revitalization plans hint at a renewed opportunity to restore the hotel to its former glory, fostering hope among residents and heritage conservationists alike.

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Panama City Beach City Council Takes Steps to Advance CRA

The Panama City Beach City Council took several proactive steps Thursday to advance the progress on future segments of the Front Beach Road Community Redevelopment Area (CRA).

The Council approved two resolutions for task orders with Chandler and Associates and Deal Consulting, for the appraisal of properties needed for Segment 4.3 of the Front Beach Road CRA.

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Williston Main Street: Wheels of Progress Turn Slowly

In January 2020, Walker Architects, working with the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency, announced its vision of a revitalized Main Street, also known as Block 12. Walker’s ultimate vision was to “create new community space.” Fireman’s Park was created from the remains of the Williston Fire Department and the old Coca-Cola bottling plant. It was dedicated in February 2023.

The original walkway that ran from Main Street to the old Arcade Theatre was restored, including metal tile ceilings. An 80-foot mural that was painted by artist Christian Stanley was completed at the end of 2022. Stanley, an Orlando-based muralist, has worked on projects in Memphis, Las Vegas, Chicago and Lakeland.

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St. Patrick’s Day Parade Adopts New Schedule on 45th Anniversary

The Rotary Club of Winter Park and the Community Redevelopment Agency presented the 45th Annual Winter Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 2. More than 60 organizations and businesses marched through downtown at 9 a.m. with Fr. Richard M. Walsh, Pastor of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, serving as Grand Marshal.

The route began at the intersection of N. Park and W. Swoope Avenues and proceeded south down Park Avenue to Lyman Avenue. This year’s parade marked a permanent departure from its traditional Sunday afternoon schedule, partly inspired by the efficiency of Winter Park’s “Ye Olde Hometown Christmas Parade” schedule.

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More NEW FRA Member News to Use!

Orlando Leaders Hope to Buy Downtown Properties to Drive Growth - read here

Haines City’s Historic Revival: Rejuvenating Oakland’s Black-Owned Business District read here

Affordable Housing Community Marks New Beginning for Many in Fort Myers - read here

Caribbean Artists on Display at MOCA Art on The Plaza - read here

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!

Jobs

Redevelopment Project Coordinator – City of Pompano Beach

Salary Range: $64,952 – $100,533

Work Days/Hours: Monday – Thursday, 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Responsible for providing administrative and project coordination services for the Community Redevelopment Agency management, downtown redevelopment management, redevelopment incentives, neighborhood redevelopment, housing projects, and horizontal and vertical construction projects.

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Economic Development Downtown Manager – City of Winter Garden

Exempt, Full-Time

Salary: Qualification Based

Responsible for assisting the Economic Development Department in the management, outreach, promotion and implementation of economic development, redevelopment, revitalization, business and downtown programs. Work is performed with a high level of initiative and independence in undertaking and completing economic development and community outreach assignments as directed by the Economic Development Director.

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Economic Development Specialist – City of St Cloud

Salary: $26.26 – $37.28 Hourly

Full-time

This is a beginning-level professional work in economic research and project development.

Work involves the performance of moderately difficult professional and technical work in the area of economic research and development. Work is intellectual and varied in nature as opposed to routine mental or physical work and requires the consistent use of judgement and discretion in its performance.

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Planning Manager City of Lake Wales

$51,505.79 – $81,120.00 Salary/year

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Reviews applications for proposed developments, comprehensive plan amendments, and map amendments. Documents review process and records procedural compliance. Drafts amendments to Land Development Regulations and Comprehensive Plan text amendments.

Prepares ordinances, staff reports, and meeting agendas.

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Reuse or Redevelopment of the Former Pensacola Motor Lodge for Attainable Multifamily Rental Housing at 2305 West Cervantes Street

The City of Pensacola and its Community Redevelopment Agency (jointly and separately referred to as “City”) is soliciting Letters of Interest (LOI) from interested developers specializing and/or experienced in developing attainable, affordable and/or workforce multi-family rental housing for the rehabilitation and/or redevelopment of the former Pensacola Motor Lodge at 2305 West Cervantes Street, Pensacola, Florida. The City seeks impactful proposals that produce attainable housing with an emphasis on low-income and special needs housing as defined at Section 420.0004, Florida Statutes.

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101 West Main Street (LOI): Downtown Waterfront Market Rate Development – City of Pensacola

The City is soliciting Letters of Interest (LOI) from interested developers specializing and/or experienced in commercial real estate development for property located at 101 West Main Street, Pensacola. The ideal project will encompass a broader master plan to maximize the reuse of the adjacent Harbourview parcels (6-story office and 3-story parking garage), which are currently listed for sale by a private owner. The City will consider either single site or broader master-planned proposals with the overarching objective of maximizing economic impact and public enjoyment of the waterfront.

LOIs will be accepted for a minimum of 30 days, ending on Mar. 17, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. local time, but may be accepted on an ongoing basis until closed at the discretion of City administration.

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