Downtowns From Scratch

Check out this article in Florida Trend: Downtowns From Scratch

It summarizes what other cities around Florida are doing to create vibrant downtown areas, much like what Tallahassee has been trying to do in recent years. It’s an interesting read, and certainly offers thoughts to consider as we move forward with efforts to make Tallahassee a better place to live, work and play.

The Get Gaines Going team is working diligently to identify all the key players in plans for Gaines Street and downtown development in hopes of getting the facts and helping find ways to move the effort forward, reduce setbacks, overcome obstacles and improve communication. The team welcomes anyone who wants to get involved. Just e-mail kccitallahassee@gmail.com to learn what you can do to help.

Interested in Greenovation?

The Greenovation team’s next meeting will be held Wednesday, June 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Brandt Information Services, 1377Cross Creek Circle, off of Apalachee Pkwy. The team will discuss progress made and strategies moving forward. Everyone is welcome to attend. For details, please e-mail kccitallahassee@gmail.com.

Hope to see you there!

Wyoming focusing on retaining talent

Tallahassee isn’t the only region concerned about attracting and retaining talent. Check out what Wyoming is doing to entice young people to stick around: State releases work force magazine

Who knows how effective this will be, but it does demonstrate Richard Florida’s new line of thinking. Learn more about Wyoming’s efforts here: http://wyomingworkforce.org/outlook07/

Tallahassee has new mind-set

A wonderful column in the Democrat authored by FSU student, Chris Timmons. How refreshing it is to hear opinions like this from our local college community. Here is an excerpt:

[The Village Square] says something great about this community. Now that we have moved forward on a number of fronts – Gaines Street, downtown, energy, and myriad other things – community leaders recognize the value of keeping the momentum going without causing a rift among different community groups. The city’s long-term interests require that everyone buys into whatever vision the city has for itself. Group alienation will only deter, not help Tallahassee move forward.

This comes on top of another community project that is searching for new ways to push the community toward civic boldness and innovation: the Knight Creative Community Initiative.

With these two projects – two different projects, which have the same effect – the community is saying something that would surprise some longtime residents: Tallahassee is serious about creating a new image and a new reality. No more idyllic Southern town – no more small-town quaintness and small-mindedness.

The city has taken on a new mind-set, one of big dreams, of a vibrant and prospering community that attracts the best talent, and new industry, while retaining its charm.

To read more, click here.

Greenovation Activities

USGBC Presents Cradle to Cradle Technologies Lecture

If you’re interested in “green” building, make plans to attend the next U.S. Green Building Council public lecture on Cradle to Cradle Technologies,to be held at the FAMU School of Architecture, room 211, on Thursday, May 17,  from 6:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. The Please RSVP by May 15 to kristin@maddogweb.com. The FAMU School of Architecture is located at 1938 S. Martin Luther King Blvd. 

“Green” Buildings Workshop

A workshop on “green” buildings and FSU’s Off-Grid Zero Emissions Building will be held at the County Commission Chambers Tuesday, May 22 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Todd Sperry of KCCI’s Greenovation team will offer a special presentation and highlight “green” goals for the Capital City. This workshop is open to the public and will also be aired on Chanel 16, with a live feed on the county Web site.   

Two sites of interest

Check out The Village Square, a not-for-profit organization formed to present the facts of various issues to Tallahassee residents to help promote constructive conversation and enable people to make informed opinions. The idea plays to the Tolerance aspect of Richard Florida’s 4T’s theory in that it encourages all-inclusive, non-partisan community discussion.

Also, check out Get Out and See Tallahassee this weekend. Admission fees to some local attractions have been waived to give residents and visitors an opportunity to see all that Tallahassee has to offer. Many KCCI Community Catalysts have talked about our “hidden gems” – great Territorial Assets that Tallahassee has to offer but that aren’t very well promoted. This is a great way to reveal some of them.