The Martin County Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has been recognized with 2nd place in the 2025 Great Places in Florida People’s Choice Award, presented by the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA Florida).
This year’s competition celebrated communities across Florida that exemplify planning excellence, placemaking, and meaningful public engagement. Through an open nomination and voting process, residents from across the state were invited to cast their votes for places that inspire pride, connection, and a sense of community.
The Martin County CRA was honored for The Patio at Palm City Place, a transformative project within the Old Palm City Community Redevelopment Area. Once a vacant lot, the space has been reimagined into a vibrant community gathering place featuring public art, native landscaping, and flexible space for events and programming. The project reflects the CRA’s mission to revitalize neighborhoods through thoughtful planning, design, and investment.
“We are honored to have The Patio at Palm City Place recognized among Florida’s great places. This achievement reflects the pride our community has in coming together to create welcoming spaces that improve quality of life for all” said Susan Kores, Director of the Office of Community Development. “We are especially grateful to our community members for showing their support and casting their votes—this recognition would not have been possible without them.”
APA Florida launched the Great Places in Florida program in 2014 to showcase exemplary public spaces that contribute to Florida’s unique character. Winning projects are selected based on community input, innovation, and the ability to foster social, economic, and environmental resilience.
For more information about the Martin County Community Redevelopment Agency and its projects, please visit www.martin.fl.us/CRA.