In this episode of the TalkVisual305 Podcast, we sit down with Jared Beck, Director of the Homestead Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), for an in-depth conversation about revitalizing Homestead's historic downtown and the bigger forces reshaping the future of Florida's cities.

With over two decades of experience in urban planning and redevelopment, Jared shares the personal story that pulled him into city planning, why he chose to join Homestead's CRA right as state lawmakers moved to dismantle CRAs altogether, and what's really at stake for downtowns across Florida as the state chips away at home rule.

Topics covered in this episode:

🏛️ Why he joined Homestead's CRA amid legislative threats to dismantle CRAs statewide

🌆 The moment that sparked his lifelong passion for historic downtowns and redevelopment

🤖 How AI is already changing the way cities plan, review, and build

⚖️ Florida's shift away from home rule and what it means for local communities

🔮 His outlook on the future of Homestead's downtown and CRAs across the state

A must-listen for anyone who cares about historic preservation, smart growth, and the future of Homestead.

🔔 Subscribe for more South Florida conversations that matter.

📍 Covering Homestead & Miami-Dade County

#JaredBeck #Homestead #CRA #TalkVisual305 #SouthFlorida #MiamiDade #Podcast #UrbanPlanning #Redevelopment #HistoricPreservation #CommunityLeadership #HomesteadFL

On this episode of TalkVisual305, we sit down with Willie L. Carpenter — a former professional baseball player who went on to build a distinguished career as a Senior Vice President in banking and a respected community leader.

From the discipline of the baseball diamond and the football field to the challenges of leading nine regional bank branches, Willie’s journey is one of perseverance, resilience, leadership, and service. He shares insights from his days as a Hall of Fame athlete at Western Carolina University, lessons from over 40 years in finance, and his ongoing dedication to organizations like Baptist Health South, the Dade County Fair, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Join us for an inspiring conversation about sports, leadership, and legacy and how the same principles that win games can also build communities.

In this episode of TalkVisual305, Julio and Demmetrius dive into some of the biggest conversations shaping Homestead right now. 🚚 From the challenges food truck owners face with the Homestead Building Department 🏗️ to how the city can flip the narrative by creating real efficiencies for local businesses, we break it all down.

We also highlight community staples like the MAC Golf Tournament ⛳, Rotary’s Prime Rib Dinner 🥩, and the upcoming Stone Crab & Seafood Festival 🦀. Tune in for an honest look at where Homestead can do better—and how our community continues to come together through food, fun, and local pride.

👉 Stay up to date on City of Homestead Events with the link below: https://www.homesteadfl.gov/calendar.aspx