Pensacola not selected as Promise Zone

A collaborative local effort lost out in its bid for Promise Zone designation from Housing and Urban Development. The city of Pensacola acted as the lead agency in a partnership with Escambia County, the University of West  Florida, Pensacola State College and Escambia County School District. The group applied for the designation in an effort to bring additional resources…

GAI Consultants expands Community Solutions Group with strategic hire

Orlando, FL—GAI Consultants (GAI) welcomes Planning and Urban Design Manager Andrew Sheppard, ASLA, PLA, LEED®AP to the firm’s Community Solutions Group. Mr. Sheppard brings over 16 years of experience in Master Planning for new communities as well as redevelopment sites. In this role, Andrew will focus on expanding GAI’s capabilities with community master planning and urban…

Metropolitan Planning Organization, Pinellas Planning Council are now Forward Pinellas

In 2014, a special act of the Florida Legislature combined the Pinellas County Metropolitan Planning Organization and Pinellas Planning Council into a single entity with a 13-member governing board of elected officials representing the different communities in Pinellas County. After extensive consideration about its mission, role and responsibilities, the organization has been officially rebranded as…

The Gainesville City Beautification Awards

Since 1993, the City of Gainesville has been presenting beautification awards to recognize buildings, landscapes, parks, and public spaces with exemplary design and aesthetic appeal that have positively contributed to the city’s development and progress as a whole. The 2016 award ceremony was held on April 27 and featured noteworthy representatives from the community like…

Power District Vision Coming to Life

After years of community engagement and advanced technical studies, the City of Gainesville is seeking partners to redevelop 17 acres of vacant, former industrial land in southeast Gainesville. A request for qualifications was issued in April by Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) and the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). The property is located along the north side…

Century Receives $400,000 EPA Environmental Grant for brownfields

The Town of Century has received a $400,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund and Cleanup (ARC) grant for new investments are designed to provide communities with funding necessary to clean and redevelop contaminated properties, promote economic redevelopment and create jobs while protecting human health. EPA’s Brownfields Program…