Author: CRAStaff

CRA Property and Business Program Spotlight

Looking to kick-start your fitness goals and improve your health and well-being?  Blue Diamond Fitness is a new and innovative fitness studio located within Fort Lauderdale’s Northwest- Progresso- Flagler Heights CRA area. Head Trainer and business owner, Carles Brown, obtained funding from the CRA’s Property and Business Improvement Program to open the 2,500 square foot facility. The CRA’s incentive program aided Brown with making her dream a reality, with a forgivable loan to assist with the partial cost of building out the studio. The minority owned business was able to utilize CRA funding to assist with installing electrical, lighting, flooring, wall mirrors and some fitness equipment. "I am incredibly grateful for the support from CRA funding, which has allowed me to bring my vision for Blue Diamond Fitness to life”, said owner Carles Brown “What sets us apart from other studios is...

Fort Lauderdale officials approve new $1.5 million loan to developer

During their Oct. 1 meeting, and with little discussion, members of the Fort Lauderdale City Commission unanimously approved additional funding for a proposed six-story building at 1217-1233 Sistrunk Boulevard. The vote, which was made while the mayor and commissioners sat as board members of Fort Lauderdale's Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), increased the CRA's total funding for the project to $5 million. The proposed project consists of 27 apartments with oversized balconies, 3,582 square feet of retail, and a two-level parking garage with 58 parking spaces. Its developer, Wright Dynasty, LLC, received a forgivable $3.5 million loan from the CRA back in 2020. Wright Dynasty, headed by Dennis Wright, applied for additional funding from the CRA because the project's estimated cost of construction increased from $7.12 million to $14.93 million, a memo from Susan Grant, Fort Lauderdale's acting city manager and CRA executive...

Fort Lauderdale’s development boom reaches Sistrunk Boulevard

Victor G. Harvey wants to be part of Sistrunk Boulevard’s future while paying tribute to its past. In June, Harvey, founder of Victor George Spirits, broke ground on a 15,000-square-foot building at 1017 Sistrunk Blvd. that will include a distillery, a restaurant, a cigar lounge and a rooftop bar. The Victory Building, Harvey said, will be just a few blocks away from where the Victory Theater stood before it was demolished in 1989. In the 1940s, the Victory Theater was the only Broward County venue where the Black community could legally watch movies. “The history that is behind that, I want to be able to preserve some form of that,” Harvey said. “I wanted to build something in the community that will create jobs, and be a place to wine and dine.” The Victory Building is just one of several new projects and...

The City of Fort Lauderdale is conducting its regular Business Survey and wants to hear from your business about its satisfaction with City services and the City as a place to do business.Your input helps to reveal where the City is exceeding expectations, as well as identify areas where improvement is needed to ensure our City moves strategically and innovatively into the future. Your feedback will remain anonymous.  However, survey participants that provide a complete submission can choose to be highlighted in the City’s upcoming business directory for increased market exposure.   Click the link here to take the survey.  For questions, contact the City of Fort Lauderdale, Office of Management and Budget, at structuralinnovation@fortlauderdale.gov    ...

Mount Hermon Apartments -Accepting Applications

Mount Hermon Apartments, an affordable senior housing development located in the Dorsey Riverbend neighborhood is now accepting applications for income-qualifying residents 62 and older. Interested applicants can make an appointment by calling 754-547-5005. Click Here for Mount Hermon Apartments Resident Selection Policy   ...