State & National CPAT Projects in Florida
East Palakta
In July 2021, Sharon Austin of Hand-n-Hand Community Services Foundation, Inc., contacted APA Florida to ask for assistance in identifying revitalization strategies to spark economic development and small business opportunities for East Palatka residents while also preserving the community’s history, cultural heritage, and sense of place. In early 2022, APA Florida’s Community Planning Assistance Team (CPAT) committee selected the community of East Palatka to serve as the focus of the Chapter’s pilot CPAT project.
East Palatka is a historic agricultural community with Gullah Geechee heritage, located along the St. Johns River in eastern Putnam County between Palatka and Hastings. East Palatka was established during the 1880s as an important railroad junction along Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway. Following the railroad’s abandonment, construction of State Road 207, and Interstate 95, East Palatka declined economically. Now bisected by the St. Augustine-to-Palatka Trail (the former FEC railroad corridor), the community is characterized by brick streets, small-frame residential dwellings, historic churches, a mature natural landscape, and agricultural fields.
Members of the volunteer pilot CPAT began engaging with the community in 2022 with visits in July and November, and again in April 2023. Priorities as identified with the community include:
- Historic Preservation and Cultural Heritage
- Parks and Recreation
- Housing and Business
- Jobs, Training and Education
- Advocacy
This report summarizes the activities of the East Palatka CPAT along with recommendations related to community priorities. These recommendations are shared in terms of short-term (1-2 years), mid-term (3-5 years), and long-term (5+ years) goals. The recommendations are further grouped by what the community can do and what needs partnerships.
The East Palatka CPAT extends heartfelt thanks to Sharon Austin for her leadership, and the community for their hospitality and enthusiasm. It is the hope that the CPAT members can continue to serve as a resource for the East Palatka community.
Review and download the final report
Marianna
The City of Marianna, Florida, together with Jackson County, requested the services of the American Planning Association's (APA) CPAT program to conduct a planning study of the Pennsylvania Avenue corridor, a significant gateway to the city, extending from Interstate 10 to US 90/Lafayette Street. The full team visited Marianna from February 24–March 2, 2018.
Learn more about the CPAT project in Marianna!
West Melbourne
Amid a resurgence of development activity along the Minton Road corridor, including a new and unique community park, the city council directed staff to change codes and determine incentives that would partner the city with private investors to create a town center. West Melbourne reached out to CPAT for help in guiding the city's efforts.
Learn more about the CPAT project in West Melbourne!
Deerfield Beach
CPAT assisted the city with a strategy to create a walkable, mixed use district through the creation of a local activity center land use classification. The report includes an analysis of existing conditions, market assessment, retail design guidelines, planning and design recommendations, and implementation strategy.
Learn more about the CPAT project in Deerfield Beach!
Pine Hills
The team's report includes an analysis of existing conditions, including a market assessment, the land use plan for the area, and master plan recommendation for the new town center. The report also provides a development program with investment requirements for housing, retail, business and employment, and public realm improvements. A community branding package was also created for Pine Hills.
Learn more about the CPAT project in Pine Hills!
Wakulla Gardens
The team's report offers two main types of recommendations — infrastructural and social. The report also touches upon forces and trends Wakulla Gardens can use to its advantage such as building relationships with local businesses and educational institutions and exploring ecotourism. The team also identifies potential federal, state, and local funding sources for improvement projects.