Press Release

The Dania Beach PATCH Back to School Event a Huge Success

Wednesday, August 30, 2017 - 8:14am

Dania Beach, FL (August 28th, 2017) – On Saturday August 19th, 2017 the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (DBCRA) hosted its third annual free Back to School event at the PATCH Farm and Market. More than 400 people attended the event. Art N Soul sponsored the giveaway of 175 backpacks and Travis Daniels Photography sponsored 20 free back to school haircuts. The Kiwanis did their second free food demonstration and giveaway, at the PATCH and were joined by Dania Beach Commissioner Bobbie Grace who assisted in preparing and serving samples of a healthy and nutritious meal. Miss Dania Beach USA Ivhanna Gil attended and discussed her anti-bullying platform with those present. She advised children that when troubled to reach out for advice. “Bullying is never ok. The great thing is that there is much that you can do to stop or prevent it. If you see bullying happening whether to you or someone else, you need to take action,” states Gil. Ms. Gil also sang her original composition against bullying which was well received by the crowd.

The PATCH hosts numerous family-friendly activities and events and has become the primary destination for environmental and health education. The PATCH also provides opportunities for adult and children’s education, through workshops, its community garden and field trips and tours for local schools and organizations in order to utilize the garden as a mechanism to introduce students to science, environmental stewardship and entrepreneurship.

“Overall, this event was wildly successful, and we are excited to make next year’s even greater. We thank parents for attending the event with their children and achieving our goal to have children in the community excited for a fresh start to the new school year, while promoting healthy and active lifestyles,” states DBCRA Acting Interim Executive Director Kathleen Weekes.

The PATCH Farm and Market is located at 1201 W. Dania Beach Boulevard, Dania Beach, FL. The market is open to the public every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and every 3rd Saturday of the month the PATCH hosts special family events. On Saturday September 16th, a Neighborhood

Garage Sale will be held at the PATCH. To participate and sell your items during the garage sale apply online at touchbroward.org/db_patch_garage_sale. For more information visit www.thepatchgarden.com or call 954-924-6801. 

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Dania Beach CRA Represents the City at Annual ICSC Conference in Orlando

Wednesday, August 30, 2017 - 8:13am

Dania Beach, FL (August 28th, 2017) - The Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (DBCRA) represented the City of Dania Beach at the Annual International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Florida Conference and Deal Making Symposium that was held on August 27 – 29 in Orlando Florida. Held annually, these deal making events are a great opportunity for owners, developers, retailers, brokers, lenders, municipalities, property asset managers and product and service providers to gather under one roof to exhibit, make deals and form successful business partnerships.

During the past five years, Dania Beach has booked $1 billion in major new mixed-use, commercial and industrial projects, including the $250 million-plus Dania Pointe project that broke ground in 2016. “These transformative projects will revitalize Dania Beach to become not only a world-class business center, but also the heart of a vibrant, 24-hour destination,” said Dan Murphy, Economic Development Director for the DBCRA. “They will bridge Dania’s past and future—honoring the historical and cultural significance, and at the same time, signaling the City’s stature at the forefront of technology and innovation.”

During the ICSC conference, the DBCRA displayed development projects, available properties, city demographics, tourism statistics, and real estate information for potential owners, developers, retailers, brokers and lenders to showcase Dania Beach as a redevelopment hotspot and to encourage business attraction efforts to the downtown City Center. In June 2017, the DBCRA invited interested parties to participate in a public private partnership and submit qualifications (RFQ) for the redevelopment of property known as the Dania Beach City Center. This 4.5-acre site has been a primary focus of the DBCRA with the goal to create a vibrant mixed-use center in the downtown that will serve as an activated central gathering place for residents and visitors alike.

Murphy made noteworthy connections during the conference and invited special guests to attend the upcoming ‘Dania Beach Forecast 2027: 10-Year Real Estate Preview’ event that will be hosted by the DBCRA on October 12th at the Gallery of Amazing Things in Dania Beach. This event will allow attendees to network with fellow developers, financiers and real estate professionals during a lively discussion of Dania Beach’s immediate future.

“The upcoming developments are expected to attract visitors to Dania Beach which will in turn attract new businesses. This inflow coupled with an increased quality of life, will create a virtuous cycle of economic prosperity for the City for years to come,” states Murphy.

For more information on the ICSC Conference, visit www.icsc.org. For more information on the DBCRA, visit www.daniabeachcra.org or call 954-924-6801. 

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Dania Beach CRA takes Home 11 State Awards – Most in Southeast Florida

Tuesday, August 15, 2017 - 9:01am

Dania Beach, FL (date) – The Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (DBCRA) was a big winner this year at the 23rd annual Florida Festivals & Events Association (FFEA) convention and tradeshow, taking home 11 SUNSational Awards. The Program recognizes members' innovation, individuality and creative collaboration. The awards were won for the DBCRA’s 5th Annual Dania Beach Arts and Seafood Celebration, The PATCH Farm and Market, and the Neighborhood Ambassadors Program.

“The SUNsational Awards have recognized and celebrated the talents of our members for more than two decades,” said Suzanne Neve, Executive Director of the FFEA. “ We’re proud of our members and their events – and excited to recognize them in this way each year.”

Nominations were accepted in nine categories, including Printed Materials; Outdoor Advertisement; PR / Media Campaign; Photo; Promotional Item; T-shirt; Broadcast Media; Multimedia Marketing and Programming. Each category included three budget levels. A total of 130 events submitted their materials for consideration.

Southeast Florida was well represented with FFEA Members in the area receiving 43 total awards.

City of Coral Springs (2)
City of Hialeah (4)
City of North Miami Parks & Recreation (2)
City of Pompano Beach (2)
City of Tamarac (1)
Coconut Grove Arts & Historical Association (9)

Dania Beach CRA (11)

Florida Renaissance Festival (2) Margate CRA (1)
Winterfest, Inc. (9)

Nominations were judged by a blue ribbon panel representing media outlets, printing companies, website designers, photographers, promotional marketing professionals and social media experts.

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For more information on all of the DBCRA’s events, visit www.daniabeachcra.org or call 954-924-6801. For more information about FFEA, visit www.ffea.com.

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The PATCH Provides FREE Back to School Giveaways and More During Event

Thursday, July 27, 2017 - 11:12am

Dania Beach, FL- On Saturday August 19th from 9AM – 1PM, The PATCH Urban Farm and Market will celebrate ‘Back to School’ by hosting a free event for the community helping parents gear up for a successful school year. As part of the celebration, Art N Soul, among others will be providing a free backpack giveaway while supplies last as well as numerous other activities. The ‘Back to School Bash’ serves as a kickoff to the new school year.

“We know summer can be a stressful time for parents, and we’re here to help. We want the children in the community to be excited for a fresh start to the new school year,” states Kathleen Weekes, Interim Executive Director of the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (DBCRA).

The PATCH is located at 1201 West Dania Beach Blvd and event activities will include:

  • PATCH Market (open from 9AM – 1PM; always providing 50% off on all EBT sales)

  • Bounce House Fun!

  • FREE Backpack Giveaway (while supplies last) sponsored by Art N Soul

  • FREE Haircuts

  • FREE Food Giveaway sponsored by Kiwanis

  • Minute-to-Win-It Games to Win School Supplies

  • Market Sales

  • Kid’s Activities and Games

  • Food Demonstrations

  • Educational Activities and Much More!

Organizational partners for this event include: the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, Dania Beach Kiwanis, Art n Soul, TOUCH, the Broward Regional Health Planning Council (BRHPC) and Love our Nation.

The PATCH Farm and Market is located at 1201 W. Dania Beach Boulevard, Dania Beach, FL. The market is open to the public every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and every 3rd Saturday of the month the

PATCH hosts special family events. For more information call 954-924-6801 or visit www.thepatchgarden.com

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Dania Beach CRA Launches Free Job Training Opportunities Resource Fair

Thursday, July 27, 2017 - 11:10am

Dania Beach, FL – On Tuesday August 8th from 9AM – Noon, interested participants will discover a pathway to the job of their dreams at a free Dania Beach Training Fair, with representatives present to discuss the many free and paid training opportunities available. Training is open to anyone aged 17 or older. No previous experience is necessary.

“Dania Beach will create upwards of 4,000 new jobs over the next 24 months and, given Broward County’s low unemployment rate, this represents a unique opportunity for unemployed or underemployed persons to get good paying jobs,” said Dan Murphy, economic development manager. “Training and career education is available from many sources, which we are excited to offer for free at the upcoming fair.”

Highlights include:

  • Meet representatives of OIC, CareerSource, Sheridan Technical and Broward College as well as companies hiring today.

  • Opportunities exist in construction, retail trade, certified office worker disciplines, marine and other skills!

  • Some programs may include transportation, day care assistance for parents or paid apprenticeships.

Interested persons should call or e-mail Dan Murphy to make an appointment and schedule their meeting with counselors and companies. Contact Information: 954 924-6801 ex. 3667 or dmurphy@daniabeachfl.gov with your name, contact information and the kind of training you are interested in.

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