Creating a Citizens’ Master Plan for Revitalization
On September 21, 2010, the Board of County Commissioners (Board) unanimously approved the Medical District area as a Community Redevelopment Area (CRA). This action demonstrated recognition of the need to revitalize the CRA area and the will to positively impact the historic residential and business center of Charlotte County.
Through the CRA process, the Board established a means by which revitalization of and reinvestment in the area would occur. Key to this process was the Board’s wish to see a private/public partnership formed in which the public would share in the development and implementation of the Citizens’ Master Plan (Plan). Citizens responded individually and collectively. For example, an effective district partner formed in TEAM Port Charlotte, a not-for-profit 501(c)3. They have offered tremendous leadership and assistance in making improvements in a variety of areas in service to the district. In all, over 300 private citizens have participated and contributed to the Plan’s development. Public participation involved a robust series of public meetings, citizen and business surveys, and one-on-one stakeholder interviews, concluding with a series of well-attended public charrettes.