-
Photo by SARAH CAVACINI/Palatka Daily News -- Cars line the 100 block of St. Johns Avenue Tuesday morning.
Should Palatka work to preserve its historic downtown? That’s what city officials want to know.
Palatka leaders are considering working with the Florida Main Street program to designate Palatka as a Main Street City, according to the city’s newsletter that was published Tuesday.
Before members of the Palatka City Commission vote to take this next step, they want to hear from residents. A survey on the matter can be found at https://bit.ly/PalatkaMainStreet.
“It’s a big priority for the city,” said Peter Willott, the city’s public information officer.
The survey also includes a link residents can click to learn more about what becoming part of the Florida Main Street program would mean for the city.
Florida Main Street, which has existed since 1985, is part of the state’s Division of Historical Resources, according to the program’s website.
“Florida Main Street encourages economic development and is dedicated to bringing jobs, dollars and people back to Florida’s historic districts,” the site states.
Florida Main Street aims to revitalize areas, which can attract new industry and stabilize the tax base, the program states. Goals also include preserving a community’s historical resources and allowing residents to “celebrate their downtown,” according to the website.
At the end of 2022, Crescent City became a Main Street City, joining more than 40 communities statewide that share that designation.
Palatka, however, isn’t quite a stranger to Florida Main Street. Palatka Daily News records show the city became a designated Main Street City in 1989.
Charles Rudd, a former Main Street Manager in Palatka, helped the city acquire numerous designations within the program, but those designations lapsed after he left the city in 2015. Rudd is now the city manager of Crescent City, which he helped establish its Main Street designation.
“I think the Main Street program is a great approach to revitalization,” said Rudd, who believes the program is a great fit for Palatka.
The Palatka survey asks residents how much they know about the Main Street Program, how likely they are to support the city’s participation in the program and how likely they are to volunteer their time to help.
Residents can also select why – “historic downtown charm,” “potential for economic growth and development” or other reasons – Palatka would be a good candidate for the program.”
One of three open-ended questions asks, “In your opinion, what are the potential challenges or obstacles that Palatka might face in successfully joining and implementing the Main Street City Program?” The survey is anonymous.
“These questions are designed to gauge participants’ awareness, opinions, and expectations regarding Palatka’s involvement in the Main Street City Program,” the survey states. “Additionally, the open-ended question allows respondents to share their insights and concerns, providing valuable feedback for city officials and program organizers.”
Mayor Robbi Correa said the city received 195 responses as of Tuesday evening.
“The response so far has been positive,” she said.
Mailers to local businesses and homeowners are slated to go out today, and while there is not yet a closing date for the surveys, Correa said she expects the survey data to close a little bit after the mailers are sent.
The Community Redevelopment Agency board will meet Aug. 14 to talk about CRA finances. The Main Street Program could also be discussed at the meeting, Correa said. The agenda for the meeting has not yet been released.
