Florida Redevelopment Association

06/04/2026

"As a City Commissioner for The City of Bartow, I believe membership in the Florida Redevelopment Association (FRA) is invaluable for communities working to strengthen economic development, revitalize neighborhoods, and create vibrant places for residents and businesses alike.

The FRA provides education, advocacy, networking, and real-world resources that help local leaders navigate redevelopment challenges while sharing innovative ideas and success stories from across Florida. Through collaboration and professional development, the FRA empowers communities like Bartow to build stronger downtowns, encourage investment, preserve community character, and enhance quality of life for future generations."

- Trish Pfeiffer, City Commissioner - City of Bartow, FRA Board of Directors

Join or renew today at the link in the first comment!

06/04/2026

Parramore Main Street, the City of Orlando, and Commissioner Shan Rose celebrated the installation of new public bike repair stations in the neighborhood with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, May 29, at 11 a.m. at Z.L. Riley Park.

The stations are located at three spots: Z.L. Riley Park, Callahan Neighborhood Center, and the John H. Jackson Neighborhood Center. They’re free to use during normal park and center hours. Each self-service station is stocked with tire pumps, wrenches, and screwdrivers, and basically all of the basics for fixing a flat tire, adjusting a gear, or tightening a brake on the go.

“Too often we have seen bicycles abandoned due to the lack of access to simple repair tools,” said Kenneth Hughes, Parramore Main Street Director. “We want to support our multi-generational riders in making easy repairs during their journey, ensuring a successful riding experience.”

The project was supported by the City of Orlando’s Families, Parks and Recreation Department and the Downtown Orlando Community Redevelopment Agency.

Parramore Main Street (Website), the City of Orlando, and Commissioner Shan Rose are celebrating the installation of new public bike repair stations in the neighborhood with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, May 29, at 11 a.m. at Z.L. Riley Park. The stations are located at three spots: Z.L. Rile...

06/03/2026

Last week, the Tampa City Council approved $35 million for a project known as Ybor Harbor. Ybor Harbor seeks to redevelop the dilapidated waterfront area between Ybor and Channelside.

The $35 million from the Community Redevelopment Agency will go towards underground utilities, roadway networks, and a marine seawall at the site. All city council members voted in support.

During public comment, East Tampa resident and business owner Allison Hewitt praised the project while hoping the surrounding areas could benefit.

“We need to make sure, in surrounding areas, those small businesses, those residences, are prepared and have incentives to be able to stay and take advantage of this incredible growth,” Hewitt said.

City council member Alan Clendenin called the project “transformational.”

Developers of the 32-acre development say they expect to spend around 200 million dollars in total infrastructure funding, and ten percent of housing built on the site will be affordable housing.

Last week, the Tampa City Council approved $35 million for a project known as Ybor Harbor. WMNF's Chris Young reports.

06/03/2026

St. Cloud city leaders are making the case that going bigger could mean paying less.

At a May 14 city council meeting, Mayor Chris Robertson and council members defended a $60 million mixed-use development planned for downtown, arguing that expanding the commercial tax base is the best way to keep residents’ tax bills from climbing.

The development, called “St. Cloud Commons,” is being led by Atlantic Housing Partners. Plans include a 542-space parking garage with an attached four-story building featuring retail on the ground floor and apartments on the upper three levels.

A second building will include additional commercial and apartment space, bringing the total to 150 apartments and more than 17,000 square feet of commercial space, all next to City Hall.

The parking garage will be built first, with construction expected to take about six months. The full project is slated for completion within two years.

“This is being funded by the CRA, which is a separate entity from the city. The CRA’s specific purpose is to redevelop properties to build the tax base for our city, and that’s exactly what this project is doing. If the city were to build its own parking garage, we would pay double, probably triple, to build our own. This is really going to be a huge catalyst for our downtown, and I think great for the residents of St. Cloud,” he said.

The St. Cloud Community Redevelopment Agency is contributing $6.25 million toward the project.

St. Cloud leaders have defended a $60 million mixed-use development planned for downtown after criticism on social media about how the city is growing too much.

06/03/2026

Construction used to be a rare sight in Zephyrhills. Not anymore.

“Right now we have more homes under construction in the downtown district than we’ve had in the last 10 years,” says Gail Hamilton, the Director of the Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).

Spurring the change isn’t just the end of the economic Recession, but a new city program that makes buying previously abandoned properties a little easier.

Now the city has launched what they are calling a “lien forgiveness program” in hopes of attracting developers and families to the historic town.

It’s working.

“Now we’ll have families here that have jobs and children and will shop in the stores and that’s what it was about,” says Hamilton. “It’s a great community, a great historic downtown. It still has that small-town charm that people are looking for.”

Zephyrhills has launched what they are calling a "lien forgiveness program" in hopes of attracted developers and families to the historic town.

06/02/2026

Part of the aging shopping center at the northwest corner of University Drive and Sample Road in Coral Springs is expected to be demolished as part of the first phase of the City Village redevelopment project, which is slated to begin construction later this year.

According to a recent update from developer Amera, the building that formerly housed Broward College’s Coral Springs center will be torn down to make way for City Village West, the first phase of the long-planned mixed-use development.

Coral Springs Community Redevelopment Agency recently approved up to $7.5 million for infrastructure improvements to support the redevelopment.

The project team estimates the first phase could generate up to $63 million in long-term tax revenue, including nearly $30 million for the city.

Part of a Coral Springs shopping center will be demolished as the City Village redevelopment project moves forward.

06/02/2026

The City Commission, acting as the Lake Wales CRA Board, voted unanimously at its May 12 meeting to spend $4.5 million for a property across Stuart Avenue from the historic structure at East Park Avenue and North First Street.

The purchase, combined with property the city already owns, will create 165 additional parking spaces, City Manager James Slaton said.

All of the parking would be open to the public and not reserved for hotel guests. The purchase helped “check the box” of added parking around the Walesbilt Hotel, Slaton said, adding that Restoration St. Louis executives were happy with the idea.

The Lake Wales CRA Board voted to spend $4.5 million for a property that will create parking across Stuart Avenue from the historic Walesbilt Hotel.

06/02/2026

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

06/02/2026

Submit Your Nominations – 2026-2027 FRA Board of Directors
Nomination Deadline: JULY 10, 2026
More info in the link in the first comment!

Are you interested in making an impact on your association?

Nominations are open for members who want to step forward to put their leadership and knowledge to task by serving on the Florida Redevelopment Association’s Board of Directors. New officers will be voted on at the Annual Business Meeting in October at the 2026 FRA Annual Conference.

There are six At-Large positions open and two Elected Official positions. Nominations for open positions on the FRA Board must be sponsored by a current member of the Board of Directors.

  Submit Your Nominations – 2026-2027 FRA Board of Directors Nomination Deadline: JULY 10, 2026 Are you interested in making an impact on your association? Nominations are open for members who want to step forward to put their leadership and knowledge to task by serving on the Florida Redevelopme...

06/01/2026

The West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is advancing public safety efforts across its targeted redevelopment areas — including the Historic Northwest, Pleasant City, Northwood Village and the Broadway Corridor — through several initiatives designed to deter crime, support local businesses and improve quality of life for residents.

The effort includes nearly doubling private security patrol hours in the Historic Northwest from 80 to 152 hours weekly, covering foot, vehicle, and optional patrols.

“Public safety is foundational to redevelopment,” Chris Roog, executive director of the West Palm Beach CRA, said. “When people feel secure, neighborhoods thrive, businesses see more foot traffic, residents are more engaged, and investment follows. We are excited to launch these initiatives, which are in direct response to feedback we’ve received from residents and business owners.”

The West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency is advancing public safety efforts across its targeted redevelopment areas.