Florida Redevelopment Association

06/17/2026

The Salvation Army plans to construct a warehouse building on its property at 3135 Kenilworth Ave. in Sebring, next to its thrift store.

A design review application for a 4,900-square-foot metal building went before the Sebring Community Redevelopment Agency Board for approval.

The proposed construction consists of a new warehouse addition to support the storage of donated items, seasonal materials, and supplies used for community outreach programs.The facility will also support community-related events and storage associated with the Angel Tree program and other holiday assistance programs.

Existing parking, access drives, and loading areas will continue to serve the site and provide circulation for staff, volunteers, and deliveries.

The proposed warehouse addition will be designed to complement the existing buildings on site and maintain a clean and professional appearance consistent with the surrounding area.

The Salvation Army plans to construct a warehouse building on its property at 3135 Kenilworth Ave. in Sebring, next to its thrift store.

06/17/2026

Plant City commissioners have approved a $250,000 matching grant to help restore the Bing Rooming House Museum, which is still recovering from major flooding caused by Hurricane Milton.

The museum, owned by the Improvement League of Plant City CDC, has been undergoing cleanup for the past 19 months. William Thomas Jr., president of the organization, said floodwater rose about four feet inside the building. “The Bing House Museum suffered major water intrusion, rising to about four feet,” Thomas said. “As you can see, our floor is buckling along the inside of the museum.”

Museum leaders have raised $50,000 toward restoration. The city’s $250,000 matching grant, funded through community redevelopment agency dollars, will help move the work forward.

Plant City Commissioner and Vice Mayor Jason Jones said the money will help restore an important part of the community’s history.

The museum was damaged by Hurricane Milton in 2024.

06/17/2026

Big changes are coming to an aging public housing community in Lake Wales.

Patrick Walker has called Grove Manor home for 35 years. Now he is watching the only neighborhood he’s known prepare for a major change.

Construction is now underway to redevelop Grove Manor into affordable housing. Tampa Bay 28 reporter Rebecca Petit first highlighted the $29 million project in February.

The new Grove Manor will feature 210 affordable housing units, including apartments and single-family homes, all designed as a modern, walkable community. Walker said this will expand housing opportunities for families like his.

“They have 2-bedroom apartments that’re right down the road, that’s $1,550, and it shouldn’t be that. There is not enough money in Lake Wales for the cost of living to be that high,” Walker said.

The Lake Wales Housing Authority secured $21 million in federal tax credits to help make the project possible. The Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency contributed $1 million toward the design phase, while Polk County added another $1.5 million.

Construction is now underway in Lake Wales to redevelop Grove Manor public housing into affordable housing.

06/16/2026

Before the end of segregation, the Campbell Hotel was one of the only places Black people could check into in Daytona Beach. Condemned in 2023, its fate has remained uncertain, but the community is pushing hard to see it restored.

Many residents want to see the hotel repurposed in a way that breathes new life into the boulevard while honoring its deep roots.

“Maybe a museum; there are restaurants around here that could go in there,” Caine said. “Something’s got to be done about it to where it’s going to benefit everybody. But if not, it’s like forgotten history, and that’s not what we want either. If no one is here to tell our story, we won’t even know where we come from.”

“It is very important because I would like for my kids to see my black history and see the beginning of when Mary McLeod came in. I would love to see all the kids come in and see that,” Johnson said.

The Daytona Beach Community Redevelopment Agency is set to receive a presentation on the Campbell Hotel during its Wednesday night meeting.

Condemned in 2023, its fate of the Campbell Hotel, one of the only places Black people could lodge during Jim Crow era, has remained uncertain, but the community wants to see it restored.

06/16/2026

The FRA Academy Elective Course, "Capital Project Management,” was held on June 12 in Orlando!
The FRA Academy is a unique educational program designed to promote a prerequisite level of knowledge and professionalism in the field of community redevelopment.
Capital project management topics included:
- Planning the project (selecting, building consensus, build vs buy)
- Organizing the project (design, procurement, consultants, vendors, compliance based on fund source)
- Implementing the project (contract ex*****on, build process)
- Closing the project (documentation, audit, records, final report)
- Typical CRA capital projects (infrastructure, mini-grants, landscaping, streetscapes, loans, land acquisitions)
Learn more about the FRA Academy and upcoming classes at the link in the first comment.

06/16/2026

Brownfield Basics: Wednesday, July 15, 2026
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. (ET)

Join us for an informative webinar on the fundamentals of brownfield redevelopment and the tools available to help Florida communities transform environmentally impacted properties into productive assets.

Presented by Miles Ballogg, EnSafe's National Brownfields Practice Leader and current FRA Board Member with nearly 30 years of experience, the session will explore how Florida Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs) can leverage EPA Brownfields Assessment, Cleanup, Multipurpose, and Revolving Loan Fund Grants, along with Tax Increment Financing (TIF), Voluntary Cleanup Tax Credits, liability protections, and other redevelopment incentives.

The webinar will also highlight funding opportunities, redevelopment strategies, and award-winning brownfields projects from communities across Florida, providing practical insights for CRA board members, staff, consultants, and local government professionals seeking to advance economic development, housing, healthcare, and community revitalization initiatives.

FRA members: contact [email protected] for the link!

06/15/2026

The FRA Academy Elective Course, "Infrastructure I – Above Ground,” will be held on July 17 in Orlando!

This course provides planners with an overview of above-ground infrastructure issues in Florida and the role of Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs) in funding and coordinating these projects.
- Overview of roads, lighting, amenities, and regulatory frameworks
- Role of CRAs in funding and advancing infrastructure improvements
- Project stages, processes, and stakeholder coordination
- Partnerships with state and federal agencies and private developers
- Legal considerations, including procurement and bidding requirements
- Case studies and interactive discussion on best practices and decision-making

More at the link in the first comment.

The Academy is a unique educational program, designed to promote a prerequisite level of knowledge and professionalism in the field of community redevelopment. The courses are open to anyone interested in learning more about redevelopment practice in Florida. ANYONE who wants to take the course and....

06/11/2026

✨ FRA Newsletter Highlights | June 11, 2026 - link in first comment

🏛️ FRA Board Nominations Open
Interested in helping lead the Florida Redevelopment Association? Nominations are now being accepted for the 2026-2027 FRA Board of Directors. There are six At-Large positions and two Elected Official positions available. The nomination deadline is July 10, 2026.

📚 FRA Academy
Infrastructure I – Above Ground
🗓 July 17 | Orlando
This course explores the role of CRAs in funding and coordinating infrastructure projects, including roads, lighting, amenities, stakeholder partnerships, procurement requirements, and project implementation strategies.

📰 Redevelopment News
Featured stories from:
• Lake Wales Affordable Housing Redevelopment at Grove Manor
• Sebring Salvation Army Warehouse Expansion
• Plant City Bing Rooming House Museum Restoration
• Fort Myers McCollum Hall Redevelopment Project
• Pompano Beach City Hall and Downtown Civic Campus
• Palmetto Downtown and Waterfront Redevelopment Initiatives
Additional redevelopment news from:
…and other redevelopment projects from communities across Florida.

💼 Job Opportunities
Featured positions include:
• CRA Manager – City of Haines City
• Executive Coordinator – Delray Beach CRA
• CRA Specialist – Clearwater CRA
• Building Official – City of Bradenton Beach
• CRA Division Manager – Clearwater CRA
• Building Inspector – City of Brooksville
Plus additional redevelopment and planning opportunities from FRA members statewide.

📣 RFPs / RFQs
• Streetscape Improvements Project – City of Lynn Haven

06/08/2026

The Sunset Lounge in West Palm Beach’s Historic Northwest District has reopened after a long-awaited revitalization, marking its 100th year as a cornerstone of jazz, soul, and community pride. The West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the City of West Palm Beach worked together to preserve the venue’s storied past while creating a world-class cultural hub.

Originally built in the 1920s, the Sunset Lounge rose to fame in the 1940s and 1950s as a premier venue for African American artists barred from mainstream spaces during segregation. Legends like Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louis Armstrong performed here, creating a rich musical legacy still celebrated today.

According to Dr. Alisha Winn, applied anthropologist with the WPB CRA, the restoration included a two-story expansion with a restaurant, rooftop bar, and state-of-the-art event space — all while maintaining the lounge’s original jazz-era character. Design and construction partners included Gast Construction Group, acclaimed interior design firm V Starr led by Venus Williams, REG Architects, Song & Associates, Inc., and Cooper Construction.

Shining A Light on Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast

06/04/2026

✨ FRA Newsletter Highlights | June 4, 2026 - link in first comment!

🏆 FRA Awards Program
The deadline to submit entries for the Roy F. Kenzie Awards has been extended to Monday, June 8. Don’t miss the opportunity to showcase innovative redevelopment projects and community successes from across Florida.

🎓 CRA Board Training
Upcoming sessions:
• June 11 – Winter Haven
• June 12 – Panama City

Designed for elected officials, advisory board members, volunteers, and CRA leaders seeking practical guidance on CRA governance, administration, and best practices.

📚 FRA Academy
Infrastructure I – Above Ground
🗓 July 17 | Orlando

Learn about roads, lighting, amenities, infrastructure funding, stakeholder coordination, procurement requirements, and the role CRAs play in advancing community infrastructure projects.

📰 Redevelopment News
Featured stories from:
• Fort Myers CRA – McCollum Hall Redevelopment Project
• Pompano Beach Downtown City Hall Project
• Palmetto CRA Downtown and Waterfront Investments
• Tampa CRA/Ybor Harbor Development
• St. Cloud Downtown Redevelopment Proposal
• Fort Lauderdale Sistrunk Affordable Housing Development

Additional redevelopment news from:
• Orlando Parramore
• Lake Wales
• Coral Springs
• Zephyrhills
• Delray Beach
• West Palm Beach
and other communities across Florida.

💼 Job Opportunities
Featured positions include:
• Permit Technician – City of Bradenton Beach
• CRA Manager – City of Haines City
• CRA Specialist – Clearwater CRA
• Building Official – City of Bradenton Beach
• CRA Division Manager – Clearwater CRA
• Community Redevelopment Administrator – Town of Lake Park
• Director, Housing & Economic Development – City of North Miami Beach
• CRA Manager/Assistant City Manager – City of Crescent City
• City Planner – City of Brooksville
• Building Inspector – City of Brooksville
• Principal Site Planner – Palm Beach County

Plus additional redevelopment and planning opportunities from FRA members statewide.

📣 RFPs / RFQs
• Streetscape Improvements Project – City of Lynn Haven

Plus additional redevelopment contracting opportunities from FRA members throughout Florida.