Your Weekly FRA Update:

June 6, 2024

FRA Member News

New! Popular West Palm Beach Bookstore Plans to Open New Location

For nearly three years, Rohi’s Readery in downtown West Palm Beach has been a local staple for diverse, inclusive books and live literacy programming for children and adults. Its founder, Pranoo Kumar, told WLRN the “social-justice driven bookstore” is growing as it continues to include books that spotlight historically marginalized communities, untold stories by Black, Hispanic, LGBTQ+, and immigrants, such as herself.

Amid a contentious debate over banned and challenged books across Florida and across the country, this popular children’s bookstore in Downtown’s CityPlace won the city’s bid earlier this year to expand to a larger location in the Northwest Historic District — a predominantly Black neighborhood in the northwestern side of the downtown area.

Read more here

New! Squeeze, Citrus Connection Keep Lake Wales Moving Forward

Downtown revitalization is not always pretty. It takes time for the beauty to show and the construction hassle to go away.

The Lake Wales CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), Lake Wales Main Street, the City of Lake Wales and the Citrus Connection gave the downtown multi-million dollar makeover a boost last week.

Friday, the four entities held a ribbon cutting to celebrate “The Squeeze” micro-transit vehicle, which seats eight including the driver, rescuing downtown walkers and drivers from the transformation/parking snarl with free rides from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays.

Read more here

New! Tampa Theatre Debuts First Addition Since 1926

Tampa Theatre leaders just debuted their new micro theatre now open to the public. The micro theatre is the first of several new features at the Tampa Theatre.

A hallway now connects the smaller theatre to the main lobby, opening the door to seemingly endless possibilities ahead of Tampa Theatre’s upcoming centennial celebration.

“It’s very exciting,” Tampa Theatre’s President and CEO John Bell said. “This is the first expansion of Tampa Theatre in its 98-year history.”

The new space has room to seat 43 people. The Tampa CRA is contributing $14 million to the plan.

Read more here

Martin County Office of Community Development to Host Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony and Grand Opening for “The Patio at Palm City Place” on June 1

The Martin County Office of Community Development is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its latest project, The Patio at Palm City Place, a vibrant new community gathering space located at 3290 SW Mapp Road in Palm City. The event, scheduled for Saturday, June 1, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony, live music, food trucks, local vendors, yard games, and many other fun activities for all ages.

The Patio at Palm City Place marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to revitalize and enrich the Palm City community. Designed as a multifunctional outdoor space, it will host community events, concerts, and pop-up markets, serving as a central hub where residents can gather, connect, and experience various entertainment offerings. The space also encourages outdoor enjoyment with scenic walking paths, a newly constructed fishing pier extending into the nearby stormwater treatment areas, and green zones for recreation. For those seeking some friendly competition, The Patio also features concrete ping pong tables, cornhole sets, and picnic tables equipped with chess and checkers boards. With so many options, residents have plenty of ways to enjoy the fresh air and the area’s natural beauty.

Read more here

Tallahassee CRA Board OKs $101,813 Grant for Argonaut Coffee Renovations Downtown

Argonaut Coffee – the Greek mythology-themed café across from Cascades Park – was granted its request of $101,813 from the

Tallahassee Downtown Community Redevelopment Agency to fund its renovations at the shop.

On Thursday, CRA board members, all the city commissioners, listened to Sherri Curtis, the agency’s community redevelopment coordinator, as she presented a brief slideshow on behalf of the coffee house.

The sole retail tenant of Millstream at Cascades, 850 S. Gadsden St., had asked for funding for a pergola over the outside seating area, an awning for the front entrance with an LED light strip and the installation of an interior brick accent wall.

Read more here

City Cutting Ribbon on New Park in Northwest Ocala

City officials are inviting the public to a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of a new park in northwest Ocala.

The grand opening ceremony for Imagine North Magnolia Park will be held on Wednesday, June 5, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Located at 200 NW 15th Place, the new park was funded by the North Magnolia Community Redevelopment Agency and the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department.

Read more here

Jobs

New! Special Project Coordinator – Merritt Island Redevelopment Agency

Job Title: Spcl Proj Coord IV – MIRA

Requisition ID 20726 – Posted

Department: MIRA OFFICE

Position Type: Permanent

Open Until Filled.

Organizational Unit: Merritt Island Redevelopment Agency (50000127)

Full Time/Part Time: Full Time

THIS POSITION IS APPOINTIVE SERVICE

$2,524.61 biweekly. Actual salary negotiable based on experience and qualifications. Central Area/Merritt Island. Work schedule is Monday through Friday 8:00a.m. to 5:00 p.m. but may require occasional evening work to attend meetings as directed. Performs experienced professional work coordinating assigned tasks, plans, and projects in support of the Merritt Island Redevelopment Agency (MIRA) mission. 

Read more here

New! Housing & Development Program Manager – City of Pensacola Department: Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)

Housing & Development Program Manager

Organization: City of Pensacola

Department: Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)

Address: 222 W. Main St. Pensacola, FL 32502

Recruitment Range: $28.28-$32.88 hourly dependent on knowledge and experience

Closing Date: Continuous

Apply on City of Pensacola jobs website.

This is an administrative professional position that assists with housing and economic development and community development tasks and projects as assigned, such as project management, marketing of community assets, fostering strategic partnerships, and promotion of the City of Pensacola as a desirable place for development.

Read more here

Community Development Director - City of Apopka

The City of Apopka, Florida, (pop. 55,496) is seeking a highly qualified local government professional to join its leadership team. As one of the fastest growing cities in Florida, Apopka needs a versatile manager experienced in development planning and regulation, community development plans and economic development initiatives. The Community Development Director directs the Building Safety Division and the Planning and Economic Development Division. The Director manages the administration of regulations for new development and redevelopment. Under the general direction of the City Administrator, the Community Development Director provides compliance oversight for the Comprehensive Plan, Land Development Code and Development Design Guidelines. The department further serves as a resource for projects that contribute to economic growth. Work is carried out with considerable independent judgment and initiative.

Application Deadline: June 21, 2024

Read more here

Riviera Beach CRA - Executive Director

The Executive Director position for the Riviera Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is an executive leadership role that reports exclusively to the Board of Commissioners of the CRA, who also serves as the City Council. This role works closely with the City Manager for Riviera Beach and members of the executive leadership team on both the CRA and City side.

The Executive Director position is highly autonomous and involves planning, initiating, directing and administrative responsibilities in handling the day-to-day operations for the CRA. With approximately 29 FTE’s and a budget of $16,641,758, the agency has the resources and capacity

to advance the collective vision of the Board and the community. The goal is to effectively eradicate slum and blight within the CRA District and promote economic growth within the City of Riviera Beach.

Application Deadline: June 28, 2024

Read more here

Executive Director - Boynton Beach CRA

TITLE: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

REPORTS TO: BBCRA BOARD

SALARY RANGE DEPENDING ON QUALIFICATIONS: $140,000 – $210,000

GENERAL DUTIES:

Position manages the day-to-day operations, for the Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (BBCRA). The Executive Director is a highly responsible position that oversees a wide variety of redevelopment and economic development activities that include fiscal operations, policy making, capital project administration, BBCRA program management, redevelopment plan implementation, property acquisition, business incentives, new business development, business attraction and retention, special business promotion activities as well as the management and maintenance of BBCRA-owned properties. The Position serves as a liaison to businesses and property owners with the overall goal of enhancing the physical and economic character of the districts. Advanced professional work is focused on revitalization and community enhancement within the BBCRA Districts through redevelopment, capital improvement, and branding.

Read more here

Director of Development Services – City of Lauderdale Lakes

This position is open until filled.

The City of Lauderdale Lakes located in central Broward County, Florida is a vibrant, connected, diverse and safe community that provides innovative and excellent municipal services in an effective and efficient manner. We value respect, integrity, openness and honesty. The City of Lauderdale Lakes is seeking a highly qualified individual to fill the position of Director of Development Services. The incumbent will serve as an integral part of the Lauderdale Lakes executive management team reporting directly to the City Manager and participating in executive-level discussions and decision-making in a variety of areas.

Read more here

Director of Development Services – City of Cape Coral, Florida

This position is open until filled.

The City of Cape Coral, Florida (est. pop. 230,000), known as a “Waterfront Wonderland” is a picturesque waterfront paradise with many attractions for residents and tourists alike.

Cape Coral is seeking a visionary leader with a strong planning background to serve as the Director of Development Services. Reporting to the Assistant City Manager, the Director will act as the City’s representative, ensuring adherence to city ordinances and serving as the department administrator for the Development Services Department. The role involves collaborating closely with Public Works to enforce engineering and construction-related ordinances, and it demands exercising independent judgment and discretion in matters concerning personnel, policy, and budget administration. This multifaceted position is pivotal in enhancing the community’s well-being and aligning with the city’s objectives.

Read more here

Assistant Grants Manager – City of Lauderhill

Assistant Grants Manager

$99,362.18

Closing date is 7/11/2024

The following knowledge, skills, and abilities, as outlined herein, are intended to be representative of the type of tasks performed within this position. They are not listed in any order of importance. The omission of specific statements of the duties or functions does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this description. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Read more here

RFPs / RFQs / LOIs

Notice of Intent to Dispose of Former Pensacola Sports Property

https://redevelopment.net/2024/05/defuniak-springs-cra-downtown-parking-study/

The City of Pensacola Community Redevelopment Agency has issued a notice of intent to dispose of the former Pensacola Sports property, 101 W. Main St. Interested parties who wish to be considered for this opportunity must submit a narrative proposal to the city no later than 5 p.m. Thursday, June 13.

The narrative proposal shall provide a brief overview of the proposed development program, the development team composition, and qualifications related to the city’s vision for the project, as outlined in the Request for Letters of Interest (RLOI) issued Feb. 16.

Please note: Parties who have already responded to the RLOI need not resubmit a proposal for consideration. Full submittal and evaluation requirements are listed on the city’s webpage: https://www.cityofpensacola.com/3514/Development-Opportunities.

Please send questions, proposals and all submitted materials to redevelopment@cityofpensacola.com.

Read more here

Notice of Intent to Dispose of Former Pensacola Sports Property

The City of Pensacola Community Redevelopment Agency has issued a notice of intent to dispose of the former Pensacola Sports property, 101 W. Main St. Interested parties who wish to be considered for this opportunity must submit a narrative proposal to the city no later than 5 p.m. Thursday, June 13.

The narrative proposal shall provide a brief overview of the proposed development program, the development team composition, and qualifications related to the city’s vision for the project, as outlined in the Request for Letters of Interest (RLOI) issued Feb. 16.

Please note: Parties who have already responded to the RLOI need not resubmit a proposal for consideration. Full submittal and evaluation requirements are listed on the city’s webpage: https://www.cityofpensacola.com/3514/Development-Opportunities.

Please send questions, proposals and all submitted materials to redevelopment@cityofpensacola.com.

Read more here

Notice of Intent to Dispose of Pensacola Motor Lodge

The City of Pensacola Community Redevelopment Agency has issued a notice of intent to dispose of the Pensacola Motor Lodge, 2305 W. Cervantes St. Interested parties who wish to be considered for this opportunity must submit a narrative proposal to the city no later than 5 p.m. Friday, May 24.

The narrative proposal shall provide a brief overview of the proposed development program, the development team composition, and qualifications related to the city’s vision for the project, as outlined in the Request for Letters of Interest (RLOI) issued Feb. 23.

Please note: Parties who have already responded to the RLOI need not resubmit a proposal for consideration. Full submittal and evaluation requirements are listed on the city’s webpage: https://www.cityofpensacola.com/3514/Development-Opportunities.

Please send questions, proposals and all submitted materials to redevelopment@cityofpensacola.com.

Read more here

CRA Consulting Services RFP: City of Palatka 

The City of Palatka and Community Redevelopment Agency (hereinafter referred to as the City) is seeking statements of qualifications from qualified firms or individuals with experience in redevelopment, neighborhood planning, revitalization, and the implementation of a Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) to provide assistance in developing and implementing Community Redevelopment Areas. 

Read more here

Downtown Redevelopment – Town Center/City Hall Site (RFP) City of Oldsmar

This is a formal Request for Proposals (“RFP”) being issued to any firm or group of firms able to act in planning and development capacity to implement a mixed-use project on approximately 8.0 acres of “Property” or “Subject Site” owned by the City of Oldsmar(“City”) in downtown Oldsmar adjacent to Tampa Road. The City’s intent is to make this property available on a fee-simple basis to the selected party(ies) able to advance a project deemed to activate this highly visible and centralized location in the community.

Read more here

MORE FRA RESOURCES

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