Florida Redevelopment Association

It’s time for this week’s MyFRA Member Forum. Check out the latest questions and answers from FRA members, and share your own experience to help colleagues across Florida. Link in first comment.

This week's topics include:
• New: Can CRA funds be used to purchase a piece of art if the redevelopment plan includes cultural arts, branding, and marketing?
• Additional question: Members continue the discussion on using CRA funds for storage outside the CRA boundary. Have you found a creative solution for storing seasonal banners and equipment?
• New answer: Can CRA funds be used to create a tenant rent relief program?

Also this week:
• Register for the Brownfield Basics webinar on July 15 and learn about funding opportunities, redevelopment strategies, and successful brownfield projects from around Florida.
• Registration is open for CRA 101 on August 7 in Orlando, the FRA Academy's foundational course covering CRA law, governance, eligible expenditures, ethics, and redevelopment best practices.

Have experience with any of these topics? Join the discussion and help fellow FRA members by sharing your knowledge and practical solutions.

The Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has released the Midtown draft plan, rounding out the initial updates for each of its redevelopment areas.

The Midtown plan was created in 2001, and a gap analysis showed that ~85% of its original goals have been completed. Now, the CRA has four new ones for its largest district:

Improve residential neighborhoods — Enhance + increase housing options with a mix of prices and housing types
Encourage highest and best use for parcels — Acquire key parcels and activate them through public-private partnerships
Enhance economic conditions — Support local businesses, give smaller areas a branding identity, and offer redevelopment incentives
Strengthen connectivity and the public realm environment — Improve the district’s identity, infrastructure, and access

Lakeland CRA releases updated Midtown draft plan The Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has released the Midtown draft plan, rounding out the initial updates for each of its redevelopment areas.

✨ FRA Newsletter Highlights | July 9, 2026

🎥 FRA Webinar Now Available
CRA Do's and Don'ts

Missed the live webinar? FRA members can now watch redevelopment attorney Clifford Shepard's presentation on eligible CRA expenditures, TIF funding, statutory requirements, common compliance pitfalls, and best practices for keeping CRA spending aligned with Florida law.

🌿 Brownfield Basics Webinar
🗓 July 15 | 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET

Join FRA Board Member Miles Ballogg for an informative webinar on brownfield redevelopment, EPA funding opportunities, tax credits, liability protections, and strategies for transforming environmentally impacted properties into productive community assets. FRA members can contact FRA for registration information.

🏛️ FRA Board Nominations
Deadline: July 10

Interested in helping lead the Florida Redevelopment Association? Nominations for the 2026–2027 FRA Board of Directors close tomorrow. Don't miss your opportunity to serve.

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

Learn about roads, lighting, amenities, infrastructure funding, project coordination, procurement requirements, and the role CRAs play in advancing infrastructure improvements throughout Florida communities.

📰 Redevelopment News
Featured stories from:
• Orlando 407 Connect Housing Program
• Palmetto Oyster Restoration Project
• Riviera Beach Named an All-America City
• Fort Myers CRA McCollum Hall Redevelopment
• West Palm Beach The Spruce Workforce Housing
• Pompano Beach E. Pat Larkins Community Center

Additional redevelopment news from:
• Cape Coral
• Lake Wales
• Lakeland
• Fort Myers
• West Tampa
• Newberry

…and other redevelopment projects from communities across Florida.

💼 Job Opportunities
Featured positions include:
• CRA Manager – City of Haines City
• Executive Coordinator – Delray Beach CRA
• Building Official – City of Bradenton Beach
• Building Inspector – City of Brooksville

Plus additional redevelopment and planning opportunities from FRA members statewide.

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

Florida Redevelopment Association The goal of the FRA is to transform urban places into vibrant, thriving areas!
https://linktr.ee/fl_redevelopment