In these hard times, our neighborhoods are fighting to stay intact and crime-free.  Vibrant neighborhoods make a healthy community and reduce demand on public support services, which saves money. A few years ago, the City of Tallahassee had an effective program to support neighborhoods in danger of slipping into decline.  The program was called the Neighborhood Renaissance Partnership. 

This partnership between the neighborhood, the City, and local businesses brought private sector resources to the table to give neighborhoods a boost. The partners joined forces with neighborhood leaders to identify what support the residents wanted in order to keep the area from succumbing to destructive forces.  This assistance, ranging from sidewalks and street lighting to facilities, job counseling and computers, were supplied by the City and Renaissance partners.  A good example was the Apalachee Ridge Estates Technology Center located right in the neighborhood. The Technology Center offered computers and other equipment for use by residents to prepare for job interviews or research job opportunities, and a place for kids to come after school to work and study. 

Then other priorities took over and this program was lost.   I intend to bring it back and look to neighborhood representatives for additional innovative solutions.