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Wednesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida real estate professionals react to national Realtor lawsuit settlement
The National Association of Realtors last week reached a settlement agreement in a national lawsuit. Professionals involved in the real estate market have been processing how this change will affect the industry in Florida. A federal court in Missouri still needs to approve the settlement, but NAR has agreed — among other items — to remove buyer’s agent commission rates from the Multiple Listing Service (or MLS), the property listing system realtors use. More from WUFTand the Tampa Bay Times.
Miami hits federal funding jackpot for Underdeck
After the city commission passed a resolution in January urging local, state and federal entities to make funding available to support the Underdeck, Miami has been awarded a $60 million transportation grant for the project. The March 14 commission meeting started with Chairwoman Christine King and Mayor Francis Suarez announcing the massive influx of federal funding for the 33-acre green space to be built under the I-395 signature bridge that is currently under construction. More from Miami Today.
Sarasota taxpayers to pay $270,000 for County Commission decision on Siesta Key hotels
Sarasota County taxpayers will pay more than $270,000 in legal bills after losing two lawsuits after a local judge ruled against county commissioners' decision to allow large hotels to be developed on Siesta Key. Sarasota Circuit Judge Hunter W. Carroll's decision last year that the Sarasota County Commission violated its decades-old growth policy limiting development on the barrier islands also meant that county taxpayers were on the hook for the attorneys fees incurred by the Siesta Key residents who brought the lawsuits. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
New Orlando recording studio will fit a whole orchestra. That's rare.
The audio recording studio Ty Fy is moving from its spot in Southwest Orlando to a new one where it will share space with film production studio VÃ...« Orlando. Why the move? It’s about space, and lots of it, according to CEO Dan Fontana. At 4,000 square feet, the room dubbed Stage 2 — which Ty Fy will be using — is roomy enough for an entire orchestra. More from the Orlando Business Journal.
Raymond James promotes CFO to president, CEO-in-waiting role
Raymond James Financial's board says Paul Shoukry, its CFO, has been named president as part of its "multiyear succession planning process, effective immediately." It is expected that Shoukry will become the St. Pete-based financial services giant's CEO during fiscal 2025, following a transition period, the board says. He will replace current CEO Paul Reilly, who will remain on the board as executive chairman. More from the Business Observer.
Entertainment
New Tampa zoo exhibit lets you pet, feed and swim with stingrays
“I touched a stingray!” 8-year-old Theodore Grimes squealed at a recent visit to ZooTampa at Lowry Park. And after much trial and error, he also reached his hand deep enough in the water to get a cownose ray to slurp up a shrimp he held in his fingers. The newly opened Stingray Shores at ZooTampa expands and upgrades the former Stingray Bay, a habitat the zoo shut down in 2021 after a dozen stingrays died suddenly.
» More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Manufacturing
Bottling boost
The food and beverage company Danone is expected to complete the addition of a $65-million bottle production line at its Jacksonville plant by the end of this year that will add an estimated 40 jobs for the company. Danone North America currently employs 110 people in Jacksonville; it’s based in Broomfield, Colo., and White Plains, N.Y. Danone is based in Paris.
» Read more from Florida Trend.
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