Florida Redevelopment Association

Urgent action is required! SB1242 advances to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday; we must advocate for the vital role of Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs) in revitalizing our neighborhoods. Read more to learn how to contact the Legislators and Committee Members and share your stories and key facts. #RedevelopmentWorks https://conta.cc/3DTclTN

Attention CRA stakeholders: House Bill 991 and Senate Bill 1242 threaten the future of Community Redevelopment Agencies. Take action today to communicate the positive impact of CRAs in our communities by preparing information handouts or letters to share with your local Legislators who are now in session in Tallahassee. CRAs play a vital role in revitalizing neighborhoods, enhancing economic opportunities, and promoting sustainability, and they are an investment in your community. Learn more in our newsletter! #RedevelopmentWorks #CRAs https://conta.cc/4l3MzNl

From outdoor murals on the sides of buildings to sculptures along city promenades, public works of art can beautify and distinguish towns, attract tourism, celebrate communities and enrich the people who encounter them. According to an opinion poll conducted by Americans for the Arts, 86 percent of Americans believe that art and culture improve their community’s quality of life and livability. Here is a look at public art in four South Florida locales.#RedevelopmentWorks #Redevelopment #FloridaRedevelopment #FLRedevelopment #PublicArt

CRAs are an investment in your community! Lake Wales recently finished two related projects, part of an ambitious, multiyear plan to revitalize downtown and attract new businesses. The city held a ribbon cutting March 7 to celebrate the renovations of Park Avenue and Market Plaza. - Lake Wales, Florida, recently completed renovations on Park Avenue and Market Plaza to revitalize its downtown area. - The project, inspired by a 1931 city plan, features a pedestrian-friendly design with new landscaping, lighting, and wider sidewalks. - While some business owners faced challenges during construction, many are optimistic about the future of the downtown area. “Our goal was to incorporate a wide variety of plants which would complement one another in their own way and that would not take away from the historic charm of the downtown,” Drumgo said by email. The Park Avenue renovation took about two years, finishing roughly four months behind schedule. The city faced a setback last year when it became apparent that bricks on the street’s surface were shifting under the weight of vehicles, while a drainage system along a two-block stretch was not functioning properly. The City Commission, in its role as board of directors of the Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency, approved spending about $138,000 to fix the problems. The city offered $5,000 grants to Park Avenue businesses affected by the disruptions of the project. #RedevelopmentWorks #Redevelopment #FloridaRedevelopment #FLRedevelopment #LakeWales #LakeWalesCRA

After a January groundbreaking followed by several weeks of construction, the city hosted a grand opening for the Apopka Action Sports Park, a $500,000 project that the Apopka Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) funded. The grand opening, which had a ribbon cutting, began at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 22, at the park, which is located north of the Fran Carlton Community Center, 11 N. Forest Ave., Apopka.? Directly linked to the West Orange Trail, the Apopka Action Sports Park entails a street-style skate park area with rails, gaps and banks and a bordering pump track for BMX bikers. Citizens from Apopka and other area communities may bring their boards, bike, scooter and skates to the grand opening ceremony and try out the park. #RedevelopmentWorks #Redevelopment #FloridaRedevelopment #FLRedevelopment #Apopka #ApopkaCRA

?? CRAs are an Investment in Your Community! The City of Dunedin enhanced its downtown with new, wider, and safer sidewalks. Replacing outdated, non-ADA-compliant walkways with a 9-foot-wide pedestrian-friendly design. This improvement ensures accessibility for all, creating a more inviting space for shopping, dining, and exploring. By integrating large oak trees for shade and decorative lighting for ambiance, this project transforms the downtown into a more vibrant, walkable, and welcoming environment. These enhancements boost local businesses, encourage foot traffic, and elevate the city’s charm, reinforcing why Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs) are vital in shaping thriving communities! #RedevelopmentWorks #Redevelopment #FloridaRedevelopment #MyFRA #FLRedevelopment #Dunedin

MyFRA Forum: March 24 - Answers Needed + "Redevelopment Works" Toolkit and Info #RedevelopmentWorks #FloridaRedevelopment #CRA

The FRA Academy Elective Course, "Housing As A Redevelopment Tool,” will be held on April 11 in Orlando! Learn more and sign up at https://lnkd.in/e-W3RmuA “Housing As A Redevelopment Tool” topics include:?? ? Defining the role of housing in CRAs ? Needs and market demand ? Planning and coordination for affordable and workforce housing ? Working with affordable, workforce, and market-rate housing developers ? Housing rehabilitation process ? Demolition of dilapidated housing The FRA Academy is a unique educational program, designed to promote a prerequisite level of knowledge and professionalism in the field of community redevelopment. #RedevelopmentWorks #Redevelopment #FloridaRedevelopment #MyFRA #FLRedevelopment #FRAAcademy

A strip mall on Sample Road was approved this week to receive a $4,848 grant from the Coral Springs Community Redevelopment Agency to replace awnings and install new gutters.? The funding, which covers half of the $9,696 project cost, supports improvements that the property owner, DECO Inn, will make at 9739-9801 Sample Road. The 20,874-square-foot property, built in 1975, was appraised at $4.3 million, according to the agency’s documents. #RedevelopmentWorks #Redevelopment #FloridaRedevelopment #FLRedevelopment #CoralSpringsCRA

BBCRA Celebrates Government Finance Professionals Week and Honors Finance Team! The week of March 17-21, 2025, marks Government Finance Professionals Week, a time to recognize the dedicated professionals who manage the financial operations of local governments and ensure fiscal responsibility. Sponsored by the Florida Government Finance Officers Association (FGFOA), this week highlights the invaluable contributions of finance?professionals in sustaining and enhancing the communities they serve. “This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the talents of many professionals who are generally not in the public eye,” said Rip Colvin, FGFOA President and Executive Director of the Justice Administrative Commission. “We offer congratulations to all of the government finance professionals throughout the State of Florida as we celebrate their accomplishments.” #RedevelopmentWorks #Redevelopment #FloridaRedevelopment #FLRedevelopment #BoyntonBeachCRA #BoyntonBeach More info at