Vacant to Vibrant

The City partners with neighborhoods and property owners to turn blighted vacant lots into vibrant new community amenities that support neighborhood beautification, discourage crime, promote healthy environments, and spur economic development. Projects come in different forms (urban farms, community gardens, green infrastructure for stormwater control, passive recreational areas, etc.) and are implemented through volunteers and community partnerships. City Farm TLH's pilot project will provide the opportunity for local entrepreneurs to operate urban farms on select, vacant City-owned lots. The project will launch in the fall of 2020 with the opening of a training farm located on a once-vacant neighborhood lot.

Two young girls paint a mural over the top of a graffitied wall.

Graffiti to Murals – Transforming walls that are frequently tagged with graffiti into a colorful reflection of the community. Experience around the world has shown that public art can be an effective way to combat graffiti and blight while beautifying the community and creating a sense of place. Learn more about the City’s graffiti abatement program here.

A group of people collect trash along a city street.

Adopt-a-Street Litter Reduction - partnering with Keep Tallahassee-Leon County Beautiful (KTLCB), a local non-profit organization, to keep the community litter-free, through the power of volunteer stewards. Community participation helps keep litter off City streets and out of rivers, lakes, and streams where it can affect wildlife and the water we use. If you or your organization would like to volunteer, visit KeepTallahasseeLeonCountyBeautiful.com. Once your organization is signed up, you will be provided with a starter kit of supplies including safety vests, trash grabbers and trash bags. An Adopt A Street sign with your organization's name on it will also be provided at the end of the street you adopted.

Pocket Parks– Converting vacant neighborhood lots into mini parks that support neighborhood beautification, discourage crime, and promote healthy environments. Pocket parks are temporary amenities designed to inspire revitalization of previously blighted lots and spur economic development. They come in different forms (community gardens, green infrastructure for stormwater control, passive recreational areas, etc.) and are implemented through volunteers and community partnerships. Contact the Housing and Community Resilience department to get involved. Email sustainability@talgov.com or call 850-891-7007.