By Heather Teter, City of Tallahassee
Representatives from the SouthWood Residential Community Association and Oak Knoll Estates accept their respective Neighborhood of the Year awards. Monet Moore accepts the Neighbor of the Year award on behalf of Leslie Harris from the Providence Neighborhood.
When making your way around our beautiful city, you'll notice that in every nook and cranny of Tallahassee there is a sense of community. You can see it. More importantly, you can feel it.
This sense of community exists because of our unique neighborhoods and the individuals who live in them. As residents, we can appreciate that our neighborhoods continue stepping up in a big way. From organizing beautification projects and crime watches to hosting food drives and block parties, every day brings forth new opportunities to engage with neighbors and showcase community pride.
The City of Tallahassee coordinates a variety of programs designed to help residents strengthen their neighborhoods and each year, recognizes notable neighborhoods. Recently, the City awarded several Tallahassee neighborhoods with the coveted Neighborhood of the Year award, honoring them for their role in enhancing the quality of life in our great city.
During the awards ceremony, hosted in coordination with the Council of Neighborhood Associations (CONA), Mayor Pro Tem Curtis Richardson presented SouthWood Residential Community Association with the 2018 Large Neighborhood of the Year (more than 200 homes) award and Oak Knoll Estates with the 2018 Small Neighborhood of the Year (200 or fewer homes) award. Soon, each neighborhood will proudly display a shiny new sign at their entrance showcasing their new recognition.
"Every neighborhood is home to people who deeply care about their community," Mayor Pro Temp Curtis Richardson said. "From visiting with isolated neighbors to creating newsletters, these stalwarts invest in where they live with their time and talents. Neighbor of the Year is our chance to thank them for making Tallahassee a more connected, engaged city."
It takes dedicated, involved residents to make a great neighborhood. As part of this awards process each year, an individual is honored for his/her personal contributions to the community. This year, the City was proud to present Leslie Harris of the Providence neighborhood with the 2018 Neighbor of the Year award.
Rounding out the ceremony, CONA awarded the Tallahassee Community Redevelopment Agency with its annual Public Servant of the Year award. CONA's Christic Henry attributed the agency's support of $23 million to nearly 40 projects involving art, culture, affordable housing and economic development in fiscal year 2017 to its receiving the award. The agency has played a key role in enhancing areas using a combination of public and private resources to facilitate redevelopment and strengthen local economic conditions within each of its two districts. Community Redevelopment Agency projects have helped enhance property values and provide significant improvements throughout the Greater Frenchtown/Southside Community and Downtown.
While there can only be one winner in each Neighborhood of the Year category, all the nominees help make Tallahassee a great place to call home.