The Concept of Place

The concept of place is a bit abstract. It is difficult to describe, and yet you know it when you are there. An area with a "sense of place" usually includes retail shops and places of employment, plenty of people on the move or stopping to chat, a public park or square, and possibly some planned events or activities. But, a place is more than a sum of its parts, and typically has a shared character, personality, or identity. While no place is like any other, one common element runs through each - its people! No one knows more about a place than the people that live there, experience it every day, and make it their own.

We hope placemaking will allow citizens to make extraordinary improvements, both big and small, in their communities. It will provide an outlet for proactive and positive change. New sidewalks, shade trees, or improved StarMetro service can only do so much. As such, Placemaking is not just the act of building or fixing up a space, but a whole process that fosters the creation of vital public destinations: the kind of places where people feel a strong stake in their communities and a commitment to making things better. Simply put, Placemaking capitalizes on a local community's existing assets, inspiration, and potential, ultimately creating good public spaces that promote people's health, happiness, and well-being.

Frenchtown

In 2017, the City Commission directed the Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Department to conduct a placemaking study for the Frenchtown community. The Frenchtown Placemaking Study was a direct response to community members concerned about student and affordable housing developments being built in the community. The purpose of this document is to identify opportunities to strengthen the Frenchtown Community. This initiative, along with community input and feedback, will provide a basis for moving the community forward. As a historic community, Frenchtown is very much an established place. Throughout history, the community’s reputation has changed and evolved, but one thing has remained the same ‑‑ the residents call this home. View the Frenchtown Placemaking Plan.

Miccosukee

In 2016 the Leon County Board of County Commissioners directed the Tallahassee–Leon County Planning Department to conduct the first sense of place study in a rural community. The Strategic Initiative (Q5, EC1) “Perform a Sense of Place study for the Miccosukee community” (2016), was adopted with the Revised Leon County Strategic Plan on January 26, 2016. This strategic initiative related to the Quality of Life Strategic Priority, (Q5) “Create senses of place in our rural areas through programs, planning and infrastructure, phasing in appropriate areas to encourage connectedness” (2012). It also relates to the Economic Strategic Priority, (EC1) “Integrate infrastructure, transportation, redevelopment opportunities and community planning to create the sense of place which attracts talent” (2012). The purpose of the Miccosukee sense of place study is to identify opportunities to help strengthen the connection between people and the Miccosukee community. The initiative will allow citizens to make extraordinary improvements in their community and provide an outlet for proactive and positive change. View Miccosukee Rural Community Sense of Place Plan.

Huntington

In 2012, the Leon County Board of County Commissioners adopted a Strategic Plan to establish priorities and guide project implementation. Pursuant to that, the Lake Jackson at Huntington Sense of Place Initiative was undertaken to redevelop the (former) Huntington Oaks Plaza to house the expanded Lake Jackson Branch Library and new Community Center. Tallahassee and Leon County has several burgeoning placemaking districts that are easily identifiable, and Huntington has all the necessary pieces – strong neighborhoods, community schools, a beloved gathering spot at the library and plenty of retail destinations along North Monroe Street – to become a strong, cohesive and recognizable "Sense of Place". Download Huntington Plan.

Market District

The Market District has it all. There are dozens of established local shops and restaurants, a regular farmers market, an elementary school, two grocery stores, a large state and local park nearby, and several neighborhoods within in walking distance. The local fitness center is a park-and-ride site for the StarMetro express route into Downtown and connecting to the State office complex. The commercial center is approximately one square mile, bounded on the south by Interstate 10, on the east by Killearn Estates, on the north by the 1,200 acre Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park, and on the west by other residential neighborhoods. The adjacent neighborhoods include Killearn Estates,Maclay Hammocks, Hawk's Glen, and Bobbin Trace. Download Market District Plan.

Midtown

If location is key, then Midtown is perfectly situated in the middle of it all, with Downtown a few blocks south, wonderful neighborhoods within walking distance, and well-connected transportation. Midtown is also home to Tallahassee landmarks, such as the Los Robles gates to Tallahassee's first suburban neighborhood, the city's first shopping center at Capital Plaza, and of course, Lake Ella, which has been a destination for decades. Recently, local investment had turned the area into a dining and entertainment destination. In addition to the physical characteristics, a strong Midtown merchants Association and several well-organized neighborhood associations have created a solid foundation on which to build. Download Midtown Plan.

Monroe-Adams Corridor

The Monroe-Adams Corridor is home to numerous local businesses and residential enclaves, many with a rich history. The corridor serves as a gateway to Florida A&M University and to downtown Tallahassee. The small, interconnected blocks are ideal for a thriving walkable urban neighborhood, and there are many opportunities to knit together the surrounding neighborhoods, university campus, and local business core. Download Monroe-Adams Plan.