Florida Redevelopment Association

09/02/2026

A new Italian restaurant is now open in Zephyrhills, and the city helped make it happen.

Trattoria Napoli, located on 7th Street, held its grand opening with the help of a $50,000 commercial improvement grant from the City of Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency.

Owner Matthew Zappoli is a chef with more than 30 years of experience whose passion for food started at home.

“It really boils down to family,” Zappoli said. “It was always just part of what we did — as a family together. Food had to be there. It had to be good. It had to be made that day, and that was ultimately what inspired me to get into working in restaurants — because my mom would show me how to make a few things as a kid.”

Trattoria Napoli is now open in Zephyrhills, backed by a $50,000 city grant. The owner brings 30+ years of culinary experience to 7th Street.

09/02/2026

The FRA Board and Staff had a great time at their recent board meeting! We're getting ready for redevelopment week and the FRA annual conference.

09/02/2026

More than 128,000 children lack access to childcare, according to the “Children’s Movement of Florida.” Resources are now expanding in Pensacola to address the need.

This week, the city is celebrating the official opening of the Alice S. Williams Center. This building was once the first Black library in Pensacola before it shut down in 1976.

Last May, Mayor Reeves announced a citywide “childcare access program.” It’s an effort to expand affordable care with this subsidized child care option in Pensacola.

“Any mothers and fathers out there want to drop their child off in the best possible care that they can get in the newest and safest building that they can have and make sure that it’s quality childcare when they go to work,” said Reeves.

This project was funded by a $500,000 African American cultural and historical grant from the state. It also received $300,000 from the Community Redevelopment Agency.

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- More than 128,000 children lack access to childcare, according to the "Children's Movement of Florida.” Resources are now expanding in Pensac

09/02/2026

Almost 60 cents of every dollar in the Coral Springs Community Redevelopment Agency’s new budget goes to a single line that reads “Infrastructure.”

The CRA Board adopted the $5.6 million plan. It covers Oct. 1 through Sept. 30.

Inside that total, $3.3 sits on the budget line that reads capital outlay. However, it’s unclear exactly what work that money will pay for.

Capital outlay projects “are for infrastructure projects that support a vibrant, walkable downtown,” city spokeswoman Sayona Khandwalla said.

Anything the agency builds has to appear in the CRA master plan. The 246-page master plan has the word infrastructure 40 times.

Khandwalla offered two examples: burying utility lines, and public access for people on foot and in cars.

The Coral Springs CRA adopted a $5.57 million budget that sets aside $3.3 million for downtown infrastructure the agency has not yet approved.

09/02/2026

Antranette Forbes, Director of Economic Development for the City of Apopka Government, shows off her new FRA member window cling! Get yours at the FRA annual conference. Visit the registration desk to pick one up!

Registration is now open for the 2026 Annual FRA Conference in Charlotte Harbor, Florida, from October 20-23 at the Sunseeker Resort. Visit https://redevelopment.net/2026-annual-conference/ for more info!

08/31/2026

August 31, 2026: It’s time for this week’s MyFRA Member Forum! New questions and answers are waiting, and this is your chance to share what’s working in your community with fellow FRA members.

This week’s topics include:
• New answer: Looking for help with a CRA logo and color palette? See what fellow members are recommending when it comes to finding the right company for the job.
• New: Do you welcome new businesses to your CRA district with a letter or flyer? One member is looking for examples that introduce businesses to CRA services, programs, and resources.
• Answers needed: How are CRAs handling lot combinations when one parcel is inside the CRA boundary and an adjacent parcel owned by the same property owner is outside?

Also this week:
• Redevelopment Week is almost here! September 14-18 is just around the corner. Check out the toolkit and kickoff webinar recording to get your CRA ready.
• Don’t miss the Opportunity Zone 2.0 webinar on September 2, focused on using Opportunity Zones to attract private investment and support redevelopment.
• Registration is open for the FRA Academy’s Operations and Capacity Building course on September 11 in Orlando.

• Make plans to join us for the 2026 FRA Annual Conference, October 20-23 in Charlotte Harbor.

Have an example, recommendation, or experience that could help? Jump into MyFRA and add your voice to the conversation!

Read this week’s MyFRA Member Forum:
https://conta.cc/3V4J8ND

08/31/2026

✨ FRA Newsletter Highlights | August 27, 2026
https://conta.cc/4wQ7JmM

🎉 Redevelopment Week is Coming!
🗓 September 14–18, 2026

Join CRAs across Florida in celebrating Redevelopment Week! FRA’s toolkit includes ready-to-use resources to help your CRA participate in the statewide campaign and showcase the projects, partnerships, and investments transforming Florida communities. The Redevelopment Week webinar recording is also available to watch.

👏 Fort Myers is Getting Ready for Redevelopment Week

See how the City of Fort Myers and the Fort Myers CRA are spreading the word with their own Redevelopment Week webpage. FRA members can use it as inspiration as they prepare to celebrate and promote redevelopment in their communities September 14–18.

🌴 2026 FRA Annual Conference Registration is Open
🗓 October 20–23 | Charlotte Harbor

Join redevelopment professionals at the Sunseeker Resort for expert speakers and panelists, best practices, updates on legislation impacting Florida CRAs, and opportunities to network and connect.

📰 Redevelopment News
Featured stories:
• Delray Beach Pompey Park Recreation Center
• North Miami Lakeview at Nomi Mixed-Income Development
• Apopka CRA Property Acquisitions
• Coral Springs Museum of Art and Picasso Exhibit
• Opa-locka Neighborhood Home Revitalization
• Plant City Historic 1914 High School Preservation

Additional redevelopment news from:
• Tampa
• North Miami
• Apopka
• Plant City
• Winter Garden
• Newberry
• Coral Springs
• West Palm Beach
• Orlando
• Bradenton
• Clearwater

…and other redevelopment projects from communities across Florida.

💼 Job Opportunities
Featured positions include:
• Housing/Community Development Specialist – Broward County
• CRA Manager – City of Haines City
Plus additional redevelopment and planning opportunities from FRA members statewide.

📣 RFPs / RFQs
Additional redevelopment contracting opportunities are available from FRA members throughout Florida.

08/30/2026

The Community Redevelopment Agency unanimously approved a city of Winter Garden General Fund reimbursement for renovations for Zanders Park, as well as the purchase of furniture for the park.

The improvements have included installation of new playground equipment, resurfacing of one basketball court, installation of new hoops, installation of three pickleball courts and a conversion of the other remaining basketball court.

Part of the planned improvements also include the demolition of the old playground equipment and converting the area into an open gathering space.

T.D. Thomson Construction Inc. submitted the proposed cost of $68,831.25 for the removal of old equipment, existing rubber matting, concrete footers and the new installation of brick pavers and sod.

Winter Garden commissioners approved a light change for the intersection of Story Road and South Dillard Street.

08/29/2026

Coral Springs’ downtown area could soon come close to doubling in size if new zoning rules are approved this week.

If accepted, the new rules would allow taller buildings and more kinds of businesses to operate along the Sample Road and North University Drive corridor, reaching from The Walk of Coral Springs to Northwest 96th Street. It would also standardize regulations.

City Commissioners will consider the move during their meeting this week, and take the first of two rounds of votes on the item.

Since 2001, the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency has aimed to add business opportunities to the Four Corners area surrounding City Hall.

In the decades since, additions to the area have included the Cornerstone Complex — a project that has brought new restaurants and businesses, but also drew criticism from residents.

But city commissioners and staff have pushed forward, citing the city’s commitment to being a “premier community” with high-end amenities and a thriving local economy. Increasing business tax revenue has also been mentioned.

The legislation would double the area’s size near The Walk, add mid-rise zones, update parking and pedestrian rules, and business types.

08/29/2026

Way to go Clearwater CRA!

The Clearwater CRA is getting ready for Redevelopment Week, Sept. 14–18!

Led by the Florida Redevelopment Association (FRA), the initiative is a statewide celebration highlighting the impact of community redevelopment work of CRAs across Florida.

Redevelopment Week will officially be recognized with a proclamation during the Aug. 31 City Council meeting.

Tune in: www.myclearwater.com/My-Government/Meeting-Agendas-Records-and-Documents/Watch-Meetings-View-Meeting-Calendar-Meeting-Rules/City-Council-Meeting

Follow along as we show how Redevelopment works in Clearwater.

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