Neighborhood First
Neighborhood First is a neighborhood-led planning initiative that provides a structure for residents to engage in leadership roles and focused working groups to develop a strategic neighborhood plan that serves as a blueprint for community revitalization. Residents, organized through Community Action Teams and focused working groups (Priority Area Teams), identity neighborhood priorities, concerns, strategies and action steps, potential partners and provide leadership for implementation of these plans. The process, staffed by the City of Tallahassee Neighborhood Affairs Division, is designed to engage multiple partners to help realize the community's vision.
Currently, the City is working in different phases of the planning process with neighborhoods targeted through the Neighborhood Public Safety Initiative. City staff are engaged with five neighborhoods in various stages of the Neighborhood First planning initiative: Greater Bond, Griffin Heights, Frenchtown, Providence and South City.
More information on these plans can be found by visiting the links below.
In This Section
Collaborative Microenterprise Development Program – Frenchtown, Greater Bond & Griffin Heights
The Neighborhood First communities of Frenchtown, Greater Bond and Griffin Heights have agreed to work together to develop a collaborative microfinance program. Each of their respective Neighborhood First Plans identify economic development as a top priority. The Plans also emphasize forming partnerships with local educational institutions, workforce development organizations, economic development entities, and similar like-minded stakeholders. To support these goals, the City of Tallahassee and Tallahassee Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) have collectively provided more than $900,000 to Community Action Teams in Frenchtown, Greater Bond and Griffin Heights. Each neighborhood’s specific economic development funding allocation will stay invested within that corresponding neighborhood’s boundaries.
Visit each link for related Economic Development Strategies and Action Items from the current Neighborhood First Plans:
The goal of this effort is to develop a microenterprise program that meets the specific needs expressed in the Neighborhood First plans. Through workshops and working committee meetings, neighborhood leaders and residents will work with Neighborhood Affairs staff to define the specific components within their desired microenterprise program. Once the scope of the microenterprise program has been defined, the City will issue a RFP to recruit a single entity with the breadth and depth of knowledge to administer a program that balances meeting each of the communities’ needs with sound financial stewardship. For more information, contact the City’s Neighborhood Affairs division at 850-891-8795 or neighborhoods@talgov.com.
View the11/05 Workshop Summary Report
Greater Bond Neighborhood First Plan
The Greater Bond Neighborhood First Plan was adopted by the Greater Bond Neighborhood Association on September 24, 2018. On December 13, 2018, the Tallahassee Community Redevelopment Agency voted unanimously to fund the plan to the tune of $6.4 Million, with an initial funding of $500,000 and a commitment of an additional $5.9 million over the next three years. The initial $500,000 funding has been allocated to the following projects:
The Greater Bond Neighborhood First Plan addresses the neighborhood’s top priorities and concerns: Community Beautification, Land Use, Economic Development and Resident Empowerment, and Neighborhood Safety & Crime Prevention. The plan identifies strategies and action items to address residents’ concerns within these four priority areas and its exclusive focus is to make the Greater Bond Neighborhood a better place to live, work, and play. It is the culminative work of a yearlong collaborative process led by the neighborhood association’s community action team, residents, various interested stakeholders and supported by the City of Tallahassee.
For additional information or questions, please Neighborhood Affairs Division at 850-891-8795 or neighborhoods@talgov.com.
View Greater Bond Neighborhood First Plan
Plan Updates & Feedback
Since 2018, 70% of the action items from the Greater Bond Neighborhood First Plan have been implemented i.e. completed, initiated with action needed or are ongoing. In 2022, an evaluation of the plan was done, and a survey conducted to determine the status of action items from the plan. The feedback gathered from the survey will be used to inform further implementation of the Greater Bond Neighborhood First Plan and shape future funding decisions.
Priority Area Updates
- Community Beautification
- Land Use
- Neighborhood Boundary designation – After extensive engagement with neighborhood leaders, on June 16, 2021, the City Commission approved Ordinance #21-Z-13. The adopted ordinance rezoned portions the Greater Bond Neighborhood from Residential Preservation-2 (RP-2) to Neighborhood Boundary-1 (NB-1) zoning district. Planning Commissioners, the City Commission unanimously approved the ordinance.
- Economic Development & Resident Empowerment
- First-time Homebuyer's Workshop
- Expungement Day
- Neighborhood Safety & Crime Prevention
The Greater Bond Neighborhood First Plan addresses the neighborhood’s top priorities and concerns recognized by the Community Action Team: Community Beautification, Land Use, Economic Development and Resident Empowerment, and Neighborhood Safety & Crime Prevention. The plan identifies strategies and action items to address residents’ concerns within these four priority areas and its exclusive focus is to make the Greater Bond Neighborhood a better place to live, work, and play.
Several projects have been implemented in Greater Bond since the adoption of the plan in 2018. Sixty five
(65) of the 91 action items (70%) from the plan have been implemented – initiated with action
needed or ongoing.
In 2022, an evaluation was conducted We are now embarking to determine the status of action items from the plan. To view the report click here. Feedback received from a community survey in addition to extensive community engagement informed further implementation of the Greater Bond Neighborhood First Plan, identified new projects and shaped funding decisions for the remaining allocation of plan funding in the amount of $2,134,040. The table below provides a breakdown of all funding allocations.
Upcoming Events
Griffin Heights Neighborhood First Plan
Work is underway to implement the adopted Griffin Heights Neighborhood First plan!
On Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, the City of Tallahassee hosted a community meeting to gather final input on a spending plan for the $2 million allocated by the Tallahassee City Commission for the continued implementation of the Griffin Heights Neighborhood First Plan. Community input gathered will help ensure the spending plan reflects the needs and vision of the neighborhood.
Through a multiyear process, neighborhood residents and community stakeholders have worked with the City to develop a strategic plan for the Griffin Heights community. The plan outlines a thoughtful vision for the neighborhood and captures the sentiment of a slogan that motivated the work – "Don’t move, Improve."
The Griffin Heights Neighborhood First Plan was adopted by the neighborhood association in October 2020. Following a presentation to the City Commission, the plan was formally adopted in September 2021. You can view the plan via the link below.
For more information, contact the City of Tallahassee Neighborhood Affairs Division at 850-891-8795 or neighborhoods@talgov.com.
View the Griffin Heights Neighborhood First Plan.
Upcoming Events
None
Griffin Heights Healthy Food Store
The City’s Procurement Services Department has issued an Invitation For Bid (IFB) via Bonfire, soliciting bids to construct the Griffin Heights Healthy Food Store. A pre-bid on-site meeting was held on July 16, 2024. Responses to the IFB are due on September 3, 2024 at 2:30pm. Staff will seek the City Commission’s approval of the award of the bid to construct the store in October.
Here are a few News stories on the Griffin Heights Healthy Food Store:
Bids out for Griffin Heights Neighborhood grocery store (tallahassee.com) Tallahassee Democrat, 7-30-24
New grocery store expected to open in Griffin Heights neighborhood in Tallahassee (wctv.tv), WCTV, 7-2-24
Griffin Heights Park
A new park is coming to the Griffin Heights neighborhood. Per the Griffin Heights Neighborhood First Plan, the stormwater pond located on Alabama Street at the intersections of Calloway and Joe Louis Streets is being transformed into a passive park. The City’s Housing and Community Resilience Department is providing the funding for the park under its Vacant to Vibrant Program. Several other City departments, including Underground Utilities and Public Infrastructure (UUPI), StarMetro, and Parks Recreation and Neighborhood Affairs are also collaborating with neighborhood residents on the design and development of this park.
Griffin Heights Park new decorative fencing, new sidewalk, and a StarMetro bus stop.
When completed, the park will have a walking trail, park benches, a small plaza area, a StarMetro bus stop and decorative fencing with three entry points into the green space. This park is being developed in two phases with Phase One already completed. Phase Two will include park bench, trash can and the Southwest Corner Enhancements and is set to begin once funding and allocation are approved.
Griffin Heights Park new walking trail and entry into greenspace.
In January of 2024 the City’s Park Division began several improvements to the John G. Riley Park. These improvements are nearing completion:
- Area lights along the trail in the park (eight lights).
- Shade shelters over the picnic area and stage.
- Additional benches across from the stage.
- Beautification and landscaping at the Alabama Street entrance.
It is anticipated that these improvements will be completed in August of 2024
John G. Riley Park newly created south entrance with landscaping
John G. Riley Park covered stage and seating area.
John G. Riley Park shade shelter with bench seating and 2 new parking spots.
The goal of the City’s Affordable Home Construction Loan Program (AHCLP) is to create low-cost working capital for private developers and contractors to increase the stock of affordable homes via in-fill development. New funding for projects in Griffin Heights has been designated through the Neighborhood First Plan initiative. Check out the program overview below to learn more. Apply Now to access the Neighborly portal to complete your application.
Griffin Heights Affordable Home Construction Loan Program Overview
Apply Now
Frenchtown Neighborhood First Plan
The Frenchtown Neighborhood First planning process kicked off on January 16, 2020 with a Community Open House meeting at the Lincoln Neighborhood Center, 438 West Brevard Street, in the heart of Frenchtown (map). The meeting, attended by over 80 people, gave residents an opportunity to provide input and ideas on the neighborhood’s priorities.
Leading the process is the Frenchtown Community Action Team (CAT), which provides oversight and facilitates residents input in the process. The CAT is made up of a diverse group of neighborhood residents and community stakeholders. The current Frenchtown CAT leaders are: Mutaqee Akbar, Miaisha Mitchell, Lisa Roberts, Darryl Scott, Curtis Taylor and Sabrita Thurman-Newby. Under the guidance of the CAT, three Priority Area Teams were formed to address the six neighborhood priorities listed below.
- Neighborhood Safety & Crime Prevention
- Health & Resident Empowerment
- Economic Development & Community Investment
- Housing
- Land Use & Transportation
- Placemaking & Neighborhood Image
View the final Frenchtown Neighborhood First Plan
Events
Providence Neighborhood First Planning Process
Providence is one of five neighborhoods selected to participate in the Neighborhood First Public Safety Initiative. Through extensive engagement with the community and City staff, they have taken the initial steps in the Neighborhood First planning process that will eventually result in the development of the Providence Neighborhood First Plan.
The Providence neighborhood is located in the southwest quadrant of the City of Tallahassee and is bounded by the CSX railroad lines on the north, Iamonia and Hillsborough Streets on the west, Levy Avenue and Hutchinson Avenue on the south and Lake Bradford Road on the east. The neighborhood is comprised of two separate subdivisions: Hutchinson Heights south of Levy Avenue and Bloxham Heights north of Levy Avenue. The neighborhood is close to Florida State University (FSU), Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU), FSU/FAMU School of Engineering, FSU’s Alumni Village and Innovation Park.
In early 2020, the Providence Neighborhood Association (PNA), in partnership with the City of Tallahassee Neighborhood Affairs Division and the Florida State University Department of Urban and Regional Planning (FSU DURP), launched an effort to refresh/update its 2003 Providence Neighborhood Renaissance Plan. The update to the Providence Neighborhood Renaissance Plan will be conducted through the City’s Neighborhood First planning process, which provides for broad-based community participation involving neighborhood residents and community stakeholders. Neighborhood First is a strategic neighborhood planning initiative that is offered to neighborhoods participating in the Neighborhood Public Safety Initiative to address their top priorities. On February 17, 2020, a Community Conversation meeting was held to inform residents and stakeholders about the process and to obtain their initial input on current neighborhood concerns. The plan refresh process was put on hold.
Since then, City staff has been working with PNA to cultivate three neighborhood infrastructure projects, one being the Heart of the Hills Placemaking project that was funded for $275,000 in March 2021. This project is currently underway.
Now, Providence is on the move again! In continued partnership; PNA, City of Tallahassee Neighborhood Affairs Division, and FSU DURP are forging ahead with the planning efforts that were interrupted by the pandemic in 2020.
The Providence neighborhood plan "refresh" will focus on the following priority areas:
- Community Engagement & Empowerment
- Public Safety & Wellness
- Human Capital & Economic Development
- Neighborhood Infrastructure
- Affordable Housing
This collaborative effort was completed earlier this year resulting in an Implementation Strategy Report and a Completion Matrix Update Report - these can be viewed below. The Neighborhood Affairs Division continues to work closely with PNA to prioritize projects from the refreshed plan for implementation.
Plan Updates and Feedback (PDF)