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March 23, 2023

FRA MEMBER NEWS

New! Hip Hop Eatery launches Food Pods

Bo Leg’s BBQ, a beloved barbecue joint previously located in the heart of North Miami Beach and recognized as one of the best local spots for barbecue, reopened at Skatebird Miami last week. The pandemic and other unforeseen circumstances had forced the family-operated business to shut down for two years.

The Bo Leg’s BBQ comeback was largely the result of a partnership with Hip Hop Eatery, a restaurant kitchen group based in South Florida. Founded by celebrity producer and filmmaker Marco “Mall” Molinet, it uses a team of marketing, business and engineering experts to build containers with full commercial kitchens that can house breakout restaurants.

“Right now, we’re talking to Sistrunk and the Broward CRA, who will pay for their restaurateurs to undergo a training program and have agreed to cover their lease for a year,” said Molinet. “In the program, these people will be able to use the containers and get training to be able to start their businesses. And if they’re doing well, they’re going to move to the next step, which is them getting their own container or splitting it with another vendor.”

More info here

New! CRA Awards Matching Grant

The city of Brooksville Community Redevelopment Agency’s Executive Review Committee has awarded a property improvement matching grant. The grant was approved on Jan. 13 for Pastor Christopher Gosselin, Harvest Time Hernando Church, 504 E. Jefferson Street, Brooksville.

The grant of $1,100 is to replace an existing sign.

All properties located in the Brooksville CRA district are eligible for this improvement matching grant program. The area includes properties that front along portions of Main Street, Liberty Street, Broad Street, Jefferson Street, Fort Dade Avenue and Saxon Avenue.

More info here

New! Hilton Tempo to start Construction in Fall 2023 in Fort Myers

Construction could start on Hilton Tempo in September 2023. Initially, the venture was supposed to break ground in 2022. Yet, according to FOX 4 Southwest Florida, the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) pushed it back after the venture switched owners. Before, Marriot would oversee the venture. Now, Hilton does.

Upon completion, the eight-story hotel would offer 140 rooms, requiring close to 80,000 square feet of new construction, per the Fort Myers CRA. At this time, it’s unclear what amenities the hotel will offer.

More info here

New! Delray Green Market Saturday

• Green Market Winter Season – Running until May 20th, 9 am – 2 pm.
• Green Market Summer Season: May 27th – July 29th, 9 am to 1 pm.

The Delray GreenMarket is a Saturday morning destination. The open-air farmer’s market located on the front lawn of the Cornell Art Museum at Old School Square was created in 1996 by the Community Redevelopment Agency. The Delray GreenMarket has become one of the most popular and charming aspects of the ‘season’ in Delray Beach.

More info here

USF-Developed App Creates Augmented Reality Experience for Downtown Clearwater Murals

The University of South Florida’s Access 3D Lab and Advanced Visualization Center are helping bring four murals to life in downtown Clearwater through a new partnership with the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency. A first of its kind for the Tampa Bay region, the ARTours Clearwater mobile application takes users on an interactive tour throughout the city using virtual and augmented realities.

More info here

Nearly a Century Old, Tampa Theatre Hoping for $42 Million Restoration

Jill Witecki remembers the first time she saw a movie at the Tampa Theatre. Now, it’s her job to help others fall in love with the theater, which was named by the Motion Picture Association in 2013 as one of the top movie theaters in the world. The theater hopes to raise $42 million in the coming months to allow for a full restoration of the theater before its centennial celebration in 2026.

More info here

Orlando Launches “Enhanced” Downtown Ambassador Program to Focus on Persons Experiencing Homelessness

The City of Orlando’s Downtown Development Board/Community Redevelopment Agency has just announced a new “enhanced” Downtown Ambassador Program that includes new training for working with people experiencing homelessness.

More info here

RFPs and RFQs

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

COC Disposal of Real Estate and Development of a Mixed-Use Hotel at 603 Brevard Avenue

The Cocoa Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) owns the property at 603 Brevard Avenue and, in accordance with the CRA’s Redevelopment Plan, seeks to redevelop the property as an upper midscale, mixed-use, 100+ room hotel project with structured hotel and public parking (100 free [unless metered by City] public spaces some of which will be for electric vehicles) within the project.

Deadline: Apr. 18, 2023 no later than 3:00 p.m.

RFP info here

RFP for Vision, Master Plan and Update to the Redevelopment Plan 

It is the intent of the City of Crescent City, Florida, and its CRA Board (Also referenced herein as “The Board”) to select a professional company, consultant teams and/or an individual contractor to create a Vision, Master Plan and Update to the Redevelopment Plan for Crescent City’s downtown and the US17 corridor.

Deadline: April 4, 2023 no later than 4:00 p.m.

RFP info here

RFP for Disposal of Real Estate and Development of Mixed Use Hotel

COC Disposal of Real Estate and Development of a Mixed-Use Hotel at 603 Brevard Avenue

The Cocoa Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) owns the property at 603 Brevard Avenue and, in accordance with the CRA’s Redevelopment Plan, seeks to redevelop the property as an upper midscale (AAA “three-diamond” minimum), mixed-use, 100+ room hotel project with structured hotel and public parking (100 free [unless metered by City] public spaces some of which will be for electric vehicles) within the project.

Deadline: Responses are due by 3:00 pm, April 18, 2023

RFP info here

JOBS

Job: Economic Development Manager - City of Deltona

Prepares, solicits, and counsels businesses to locate in the City. Confers with present business and commercial land owners for future development. Develops strategies to fulfill city needs to assist in business development within the City and work closely with Team Volusia to achieve new investments in our City. Works with agencies of workforce development to develop a skilled workforce with educational emphasis on school district and colleges/universities. Conducts research on businesses that are expanding and solicits businesses to locate in the City. Confers with business services providers to assist in business development and improvement.

The position will close on April 3.

Job info here

Division Director – Community Redevelopment Agency – Collier County Board of County Commissioners

Collier County Board of County Commissioners is seeking an individual for the position of Director – Community Redevelopment Agency to administer, plan, direct, and oversees all matters pertaining to Collier County’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the two Community Redevelopment Areas (Bayshore Gateway Triangle and Immokalee) including budget, personnel, and outside consultants; develop and implement programs to enhance, revitalize, redevelop, and strengthen the County’s designated redevelopment areas.

The position will close on March 23.

Job info here

Job: Economic Development Director – City of New Port Richey

The City of New Port Richey is seeking an experienced economic development professional to serve in a key role on the City’s Leadership Team. New Port Richey is located in Florida’s Central Gulf Coast, approximately thirty miles northwest of Tampa. The Gulf of Mexico coastline borders the west side and the Pithlachascotee River runs through the city. The City has a total area of 4.6 square miles and has approximately 17,000 residents, which makes the City the second largest in the County.

The City has a traditional downtown with interesting businesses, a thriving Community Development Authority and a Main Street Program. The City operates under the Council-Manager form of government and the successful candidate will work closely with the City Manager to assist the City’s existing businesses with retention and growth, recruitment of new businesses, and neighborhood reinvestment strategies.

The position will close on March 24, 2023. EOE/DFWP.

Job info here

Thank you for supporting Florida redevelopment! Have questions or news to share? fra@flcities.com