Frenchtown Neighborhood First Plan
In January 2020, Frenchtown neighborhood residents, business owners and other stakeholders began to develop a Neighborhood First Plan for the Frenchtown neighborhood, a process facilitated by the City of Tallahassee’s Neighborhood Affairs Division. The plan builds on and furthers the work completed through other recent planning efforts, as well as advances new ideas to address neighborhood priorities. A resident-led Community Action Team (CAT) and three Priority Area Teams (PAT) were formed to oversee the planning process and to develop the plan.
Frenchtown Housing Rehab Program Seeks Applications from Frenchtown Property Owners and Landlords
The Frenchtown Housing Rehab Program is a five-year forgivable loan program funded by the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), that seeks to repair homes located in the Frenchtown neighborhood. Revitalizing the Frenchtown neighborhood through the preservation of its existing housing stock is essential to the livelihood and continued vibrancy of the community. By funding needed housing repairs, the Frenchtown Housing Rehab Program will aid in keeping residents in their homes, ensure that neighborhood homes are free from health and safety hazards, and preserve the housing unit to allow current residents to age in place and/or provide future residents with decent and safe housing. The maximum funding provided by the program is up to $25,000 for owner-occupied units and up to $17,500 for renter-occupied units.
Questions? Contact the Neighborhood Affairs Division at 850-354-1926 or neighborhoods@talgov.com
View Full Housing Rehab Release
More Information on Grants Page
Frenchtown Community Engagement Fund
The Frenchtown Community Engagement Fund (CEF) is a grant program that seeks to provide funding to Frenchtown residents and stakeholders to help implement the Frenchtown Neighborhood First Plan. At the heart of the CEF is the engagement of Frenchtown residents and stakeholders in the implementation of their Neighborhood First Plan. Frenchtown residents and stakeholders are acutely aware of the issues and concerns that face their neighborhood, and many are willing if they receive some help to undertake a project, which will improve their neighborhood. Proposals approved for CEF funding, from their inception, and development must engage Frenchtown residents and stakeholders.
Frenchtown Community Engagement Fund
Frenchtown Neighborhood First Plan Updates
Six community Priority Areas were identified by community residents. These priority areas cover issues that
are of high importance to Frenchtown residents and stakeholders. The draft plan is organized around these
issues. The six Priority Areas, which are detailed in subsequent pages, are:
HOUSING
This priority area addresses the repair and rehabilitation of existing homes, construction
of new single family homes, preservation of heirs properties (inherited family homes)
and increasing homeownership within the Frenchtown community.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT
This priority area focuses on the support needed for entrepreneurial activities within
the neighborhood, the need for new development to provide “community benefits”, and
the assistance residents need to build financial assets.
LAND USE & TRANSPORTATION
This priority area focuses on the protection of the character of the neighborhood, the
prevention of the displacement of existing residents and opportunities to improve street
safety, congestion and public transportation within the Frenchtown neighborhood.
PLACEMAKING & NEIGHBORHOOD IMAGE
This priority area focuses on the improvement of public perception of the neighborhood,
the preservation of historical places, and the enhancement of public places and other
community assets to create a sense of place and promote resident health, happiness, and
well being.
NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY & CRIME PREVENTION
This priority area addresses the enhancement of physical elements of the neighborhood
to enhance public safety and the strengthening of relationship with law enforcement
through partnerships.
HEALTH & RESIDENT EMPOWERMENT
This priority area addresses neighborhood environmental issues, increasing access to
healthy food, health services, education and employment services, the supports
needed for residents at risk of homelessness and those returning from incarceration,
fostering social connections and the need to develop neighborhood leadership
capacity.