Latest news with #downtowndevelopment
CBS News
30-07-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Flagler Street reopens after 40-month closure, bringing hope and frustration
After more than three years of construction delays, two blocks of Flagler Street — one of Miami's most historic roadways — have finally reopened, bringing both renewed optimism and lingering frustration to downtown residents and business owners. The project, originally launched in 2019 through a partnership between the City of Miami, the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), and the Flagler Business Improvement District, aimed to modernize a five-block stretch of the century-old street. The makeover includes brick roads, widened curbless sidewalks for outdoor cafes, improved drainage, and a flexible "festival streetscape" designed to host large outdoor events. City crews reopened the first block on Saturday, followed days later by another in front of local business Bespoke Barber Pub. Owner Clara Henao celebrated the milestone. "I was so happy seeing the street open," she said. "I [said] wow. Finally the street is open. This is a plus because I think it will bring new people." With support from the DDA, Henao also secured a liquor license to add a bar to her barbershop, which she hopes will become a destination for men's grooming. Despite the recent progress, three other blocks of Flagler Street remain under construction. The project was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and additional complications from aging infrastructure beneath the street. "There have been issues getting the contractor to stay on schedule, but the city is moving forward now," said Terrell Fritz of the Flagler Business Improvement District. Condo owner Daniel Tintle expressed frustration about the prolonged construction. "I bought a condo just down the street in 2021 and my neighbor at the time says, 'Oh, you're going to love it. They're just about to reopen Flagler Street,'" he said. "It is finally opening four years after I moved in, which was multiple years after she thought it was going to open." That neighbor has since moved away, disheartened by years of barricades and slow progress. Some businesses were forced to find creative solutions to stay visible, including placing signage on scaffolding with DDA assistance. Pedestrian access also remains challenging in certain areas, and Tintle voiced concerns about homelessness in the neighborhood. "The homeless have their spots where they stay, but here they've started to really call this home," he said. "So when they start to feel comfortable, more start to come in and then you have a lot of encounters, a lot of [them] late night." Despite setbacks, DDA Chief Financial and Operating Officer Ivonne Berrios believes momentum is shifting in the right direction. "This is one of the best ways to showcase how we were able to go through all those challenges and still have the success story today of these two sections open and looking forward to the rest," Berrios said. Officials say the completion of these first two phases should have a domino effect, accelerating the reopening of the remaining three blocks in the near future.
CBS News
01-07-2025
- Business
- CBS News
This Colorado town might restrict the height of its downtown buildings
Castle Rock's town council is set to consider a new ordinance Tuesday night that could reshape the skyline of downtown by limiting building heights. The proposed ordinance would cap new buildings in downtown Castle Rock at four stories. Currently, some areas allow up to six stories, and developers can request additional height -- as seen with the seven-story Encore Condos and an adjacent parking garage. "I'm a huge advocate of Castle Rock in downtown," said Jeff Samuelson, a downtown Castle Rock resident, property owner, and commercial real estate broker. "I do a lot of business here. I've been here a long time." He says recent development in downtown Castle Rock has brought new life to the area. "We were a bedroom community. Everybody left downtown and went into Denver during the day, spent their money in there," he said. "Where we've gotten today, it's been probably 15 years of planning, design, making the right choices." Jeff Samuelson, a Castle Rock resident, property owner, and commercial real estate broker, opposes a proposed town ordinance that seeks to cap building heights at four stories. CBS Samuelson said the growth, including new apartments, has created a more vibrant downtown. "We have livable residences downtown," he said. "So all the people that live down here now frequent these different retailers and restaurants, and so it's created a huge vibrancy." Town Councilman Mark Davis said residents have told him they don't want high-rise buildings and would rather preserve Castle Rock's small-town feel. That's why, during a June council meeting, Davis moved to lower the height limit downtown to four stories. Samuelson said that if the ordinance passes, it could negatively affect downtown property owners. "If that downzone happens, it will definitely affect the value of my property. No questions," he said. "If you have bought property on the north or south end of Castle Rock and they're downzoning it to a lower height, you've just lost potentially millions of dollars in value." A drone view shows downtown Castle Rock, Colorado in 2025. Aaron J Seltzer / Getty Images He also warned that as more people come downtown, taller parking structures will be needed to support demand. "Would you want a downtown that you can pull right up in front of a business that maybe is not a great business, because downtown's not thriving? Or do you want a place that everybody's frequenting all the businesses and they're all succeeding? And that's what we have right now," Samuelson said. Samuelson criticized the town for not involving downtown stakeholders earlier in the process. "Nobody's been notified," he said, adding that he and other property owners plan to attend Tuesday's meeting to share their concerns. If the ordinance passes, existing buildings like Encore and projects that have already received council approval would be grandfathered in. Town councilmembers could vote Tuesday night, but a second reading would still be required before the ordinance becomes final. The council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
CTV News
08-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Downtown development enhanced through new program
Downtown development enhanced through new program A new incentive program from the City of Calgary aims to boost downtown development.
