The Palmetto Community Redevelopment Agency has been reshaping the city since 1985, and this year it marks 40 years of work. The agency’s approach has stayed consistent: take contaminated or underused properties and give them a second life that benefits the whole community.
Connor Park is the clearest example. The site was once contaminated railroad property. Today it’s a public park that also helps improve water quality flowing into the Manatee River, a rare project that serves both residents and the environment. The CRA has also used incentives to spark private investment, most visibly the Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa, while continuing programs that help local businesses and property owners reinvest in their own buildings.
Executive Director Rowenda Young says the focus remains on meeting current needs with lasting community benefits. For longtime residents and newcomers alike, the CRA’s footprint is hard to miss. What Palmetto property do you think should be redeveloped next? Let us know.
