2021 Regional Awards for Excellence Winners
Affordable Housing
Urban Land Institute - North Florida
Regional
The ULI Task Force has brought together many developers, stakeholders and community members for discussion through advisory services, specifically the ULI Technical Assistance Panels (TAPS) program, and events. Technical Assistance Panels, known as TAPs, are a service offered by the Urban Land Institute that brings real estate, planning, and development experts together to provide unbiased pragmatic advice for addressing complex land use and real estate development issues. TAPS are offered to local, public and private organizations. TAPS offer an opportunity to engage local land use leaders in exploring a development project, policy, or challenge.
Affordable Housing
Jacksonville Withintrification Strategy
Duval County
Jacksonville’s Eastside neighborhood is working to become the latest example of withintrification. A collaboration being spearheaded by two nonprofits, the Historic Eastside Community Development Corporation (HECDC) and LIFT JAX, the Eastside Withintrification strategy is designed to preserve and transform the neighborhood through equitable community development by improving access to social services, cultural development, wealth building, education, safety and an innovative approach to stimulating and preserving affordable housing opportunities.
Historical Preservation
Take Pride in the Westside
St. Johns County
Take Pride in the West Side is a beautification project that includes a paint and clean-up project, community artwork and murals, and landscaping in various places and buildings on the West King corridor. The objective of the project is to restore community pride and attract economic development activities that provide opportunities for community members - by the community for the community. In addition, the project will celebrate culture and heritage through murals that will display African American history. By beautifying the community, the project will foster a sense of belonging for West King residents and attract new economic opportunities for the community.
Economic Development
Visit Putnam County, FL Mobile App
Putnam County
The Visit Putnam County, Florida App is designed by the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce to attract tourist and inform residents about the county. In one easy to use platform the app allows users to identify what events are happening, dining and lodging locations, and a whole lot more. Additionally, users are able to add events and places to design their custom trip to Putnam county. This one stop-shop of resources and services allows users to be completely informed of all the unique possibilities Putnam County has to offer.
Healthcare
Flagler County Fire Rescue Community Paramedicine
Flagler County
The Community Paramedicine Program started in 2018 to address the high call volume from recurring patients who did not need immediate medical attention. During the yearlong pandemic the service also included providing medically-homebound seniors with their COVID-19 vaccinations and lifting the spirits to those whose circumstances have left them isolated. While Community Paramedicine is not a new concept, it was the first of its kind in our region. What makes the Flagler County program innovative is that this program takes the idea of paramedicine a step further and expands the role of paramedics to be more comprehensive, whereby, they treat the whole person not just their medical needs. Through local partnerships the Community Paramedic is also able to provide referrals, acquire the medical equipment needed, reconcile their medication and execute home safety assessments, which is all part of a medical home model.
Planning and Growth Management
Nassau County SR200/A1A Corridor Master Plan
Nassau County
Nassau County is defining the future of the SR200/A1A Corridor, its principal east-west roadway. The Corridor Master Plan emerged during a two-year outreach effort involving residents, property owners, businesspersons, and county officials. The collective vision for the SR200/A1A Corridor charts a path toward a livable, sustainable, and economically vital future. The plan positions existing shopping and employment along the corridor to serve future residents who can live, work, play, and stay in a more sustainable community. The stage is set to transform sprawl into walkable, mixed-use centers and surrounding neighborhoods served by strong bike-ped connections, civic space, and parks. More than 400 citizens and experts shaped the $500,000+ plan through charrettes, workshops, interviews, and online surveys.
Environmental Stewardship
Groundwork Jacksonville Emerald Trail
Duval County
Groundwork is engaging neighborhood stakeholders, business leaders, funders and the City to plan and build the Emerald Trail by 2029. When complete this signature outdoor destination will encompass approximately 30 miles of trails, greenways and parks that encircle the urban core and link at least 14 historic neighborhoods to downtown, Hogans Creek, McCoys Creek and the St. Johns River. The trail links to 16 schools, two colleges and 21 parks among other destinations like restaurants, retail and businesses, with 13 additional schools and 17 parks located within three blocks. The Emerald Trail has the potential to be a catalyst for social and economic development in Jacksonville, from encouraging healthy lifestyles and promoting public safety, to spurring economic growth and neighborhood revitalization.
Public Safety
Central County Fire Station #50
Baker County
The Baker County Commission approved a $850,000 bid to build a 3-bay central county fire-rescue station in Baker. The 6000 square foot steel frame structure will also house training space on its second floor, which will be completed at a later time. The new central station will be the hallmark achievement of a progressive multi-million-dollar overhaul of the fire and rescue operations initiated three years ago.
Resilience
Jacksonville City Council Special Committee on Resiliency
Duval County
The Special Committee on Resiliency, concluded in February 2021, was able to bring resiliency into the forefront of government discussions at the local level across the City of Jacksonville. this process was different in that it was driven by local subject matter experts who served in a volunteer capacity. In making the process as inclusive as possible, elected officials welcomed citizens into the process and provided them with the tools necessary to develop a road map for building a resilient future.
Transportation
City of St. Augustine Mobility Plan and Mobility Fee
St. Johns County
The Mobility Plan’s goal is to enhance the quality of life for City residents by reducing traffic congestion, making it safer for people to walk and bicycle, creating a park once environment for longer visits, and improving parking access to local businesses, reducing the impact of traffic on residential streets. The Mobility Plan serves as the basis for establishing a Mobility Fee system, an alternative to transportation concurrency enacted by the Florida Legislature, allowing new development and redevelopment to mitigate its traffic impact to a local governments transportation system through payment of a one-time fee.
Quality of Life
Putnam County Quality of Life Survey
Putnam County
The Putnam County Quality of Life Survey was commission by a coalition of citizens and leaders working to make Putnam County stronger, healthier, and more vibrant through a shared vision and action plan. The intention was to create a citizen-inspired vision, engage the community in the process, and be intentional about Putnam County's development.
Regional Leadership
Jerry Cameron
Jerry Cameron has served the citizens of Northeast Florida for several decades - as police chief then City Manager of Fernandina Beach, Assistant County Administrator of St. Johns County and finally as County Administrator of Flagler County. He retired in July 2021. His achievements are as impressive as his career - in each role he exhibited true leadership, to both staff and the citizens he served. His impacts were felt by many - from his dedication to public safety improvements, work on the relocation of Veterans Affairs Clinic in St. Johns as well as the creation of the nationally recognized Leadership Academy in Flagler County.
Mr. Cameron served a short tenure in Flagler County and was charged with navigating several ongoing challenges in the County. He did just that by improving the County's financial stability and working through the ongoing task of finding the Sheriff's Office a permanent and ideal location for their Operations Center.
One of his lasting legacies in Flagler County will be the creation of the Flagler County Leadership Academy to develop upper level staff. The Leadership Academy will make internal succession an option for the Board moving forward when staff retires or moves on to other opportunities. The inaugural class graduated in 2020 and shows the commitment that Mr. Cameron has to share the value of true leadership and its lasting impacts on public service.
