Who We Are

History

Timeline:

2007

Knight Foundation launches KCCI

In 2007, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation selected Tallahassee as a location for a pilot project partnering with renowned economist Richard Florida. The project, called the Knight Creative Communities Initiative, involved selecting 30-35 Tallahassee residents to participate in an intensive training workshop on the concepts of Florida’s book, “The Rise of the Creative Class.” These “Community Catalysts” then developed and implemented ideas based on the concepts that would improve Tallahassee’s “sense of place.” In theory, the implementation of these ideas would enhance the community’s ability to attract and retain members of the creative class which Florida’s research pointed to as a primary economic driver in thriving cities.

2008

Tallahassee Film Festival

Tallahassee Film Festival, one of the first KCCI projects launches with great success. http://fameintally.com

2008

Get Gaines Going

By working with community partners, this KCCI team successfully pushed up the Gaines Street redevelopment by 11 years. This resulted in the street being re-developed and now Gaines Street is a well-known “place” in Tallahassee. The redevelopment also brought in significant private development to create the vibrant “Gaines Street” and “College Town” areas in Tallahassee.

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2008

Sustainable Tallahassee

Sustainable Tallahassee, which started as KCCI’s Greenovation project, opens as a nonprofit. The organization continues to be an important asset in Tallahassee that is dedicated to promoting environmental, economic, and social sustainability through education and collaboration. For more information, visit sustainabletallahassee.org.

July 2009

Explore Outdoors

The Explore Outdoors team worked with VISIT TALLAHASSEE to expand interest in outdoor activities in the Tallahassee area.

2009

Midtown enhanced by Identify Tallahassee team

This KCCI team worked with the Midtown Merchants Association to create a plan for long-term improvements to the Midtown area, which years later is now a thriving, well-known “sense of place” in Tallahassee.

2010

Talent Lives Here

Talent Lives Here that created a model for local businesses to develop intern programs for students from our institutions of higher education.

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2010

Tallahassee Business Resources

Tallahassee Business Resources developed a resource for small businesses to connect with individuals and companies who could help them grow and develop.

February 2010

Amp Up showcases Tallahassee’s Music Scene

Amp Up Tallahassee promoted the local music scene and pushed for construction of the Fifth Avenue Plaza.

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December 2011

Cascades Park researched by Cultivate Cascades team

The Cultivate Cascades conducted research on Cascades Park. This research caused the team to push for a more extensive amphitheater in Cascades Park and to seek public and private partners to fund their Discovery in Cascades Park interactive play area idea.

January 2012

North Monroe Street Improvements

The Gateway Tallahassee team focused on creating a new gateway into Tallahassee on N. Monroe Street. This led to that gateway becoming a new sales tax initiative project.

March 2012

Bike Lanes on Franklin Boulevard

The Tallahassee on 2 Wheels team successfully advocated for bike lanes on Franklin Blvd. and partnered with the city and county to focus on improving Tallahassee’s bike friendly atmosphere.

July 2012

Discovery at Cascades Park announced

Discovery at Cascades Park announced thanks to support from First Commerce Credit Union and a variety of private and public partners.

August 2012

Gaines Street Opens

Major part of Gaines Street debuts

October 2012

5th Avenue Plaza Opens in Midtown

Thanks in part to the efforts of the Identify Tallahassee KCCI team the much anticipated 5th Avenue Plaza in Midtown, nestled between Whataburger and the Tallahassee Board of Realtors, opened with a ribbon cutting, food trucks, craft beer, children’s activities and Live music by Catfish Alliance. With hundreds in attendance, it was a wonderful family-friendly evening.

2013

Enhancing Lake Ella

The EllaVate team worked with neighbors around Lake Ella to make it a more attractive venue for locals. New swings were installed and new signage and a new entrance are on the way.

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2013

Sparking interest in Tallahassee’s secrets

Spark TLH worked to identify things to love in Tallahassee and created a blogsite to communicate the message to the community.

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2013

Palmer Avenue Construction Completed

The Southside Sense of Place Project worked with government to execute the construction of a new streetscape for Palmer Avenue.

January 2014

Downtown Date Nights

The Downtown Sense of Place team launched the first of three “downtown date nights.” The event brought together businesses and hundreds of Tallahassee residents to showcase a unique date night.

March 2014

Discovery at Cascades Park opens and draws thousands of North Florida residents

Discovery at Cascades Park, a family-oriented playscape within Cascades Park, is designed for the enjoyment of children and visitors of all ages. It features a variety of Florida environments intended to engage the senses and imagination making it a one-of-a-kind play area in North Florida.

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March 2014

First porch swing placed in downtown Tallahassee

The Downtown Sense of Place project funded and secured placement for Tallahassee’s first porch swing in downtown Tallahassee. The swings have become a signature element in the Tallahassee area and more are being placed throughout downtown Tallahassee.

April 2014

Frenchtown Farmers Market

The Frenchtown Heritage Market team worked with partners to create a farmer’s market to help resolve the food desert in the Frenchtown area. The farmer’s market kicked off in April and they have created a plan to sustain the market.

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April 2015

Tallahassee Music Week

Tallahassee Music Week is partnering with local groups to create a week of live music to provide entertainment for the community and brand the local music scene while also showcasing local musical talent.

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