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Crescent City Manager Charles Rudd and Community Redevelopment Agency Manager Christina Marie stand in downtown Crescent City, an area that is undergoing revitalization efforts. -
A woman purchases produce from a vendor at a recent Crescent City Art & Farmers Market. -
South Putnam residents and visitors peruse the group of vendors at a recent Crescent City Art & Farmers Market. -
Pictured is a sample of the sidewalk art Crescent City officials are hoping to add to the city’s downtown. -
A list of upcoming events in Crescent City -
Positively Putnam FL
CRESCENT CITY – There’s plenty to keep South Putnam County residents and visitors busy in the upcoming weeks as government leaders work to rejuvenate the city.
The recent work has been done by a team of volunteers, many of them local residents, who want to see Crescent City become an entertainment hub.
City Manager Charles Rudd and Community Redevelopment Agency Manager Christina Marie have been leading the charge.
“People just really, really want something to change,” Rudd said. “I love the expression, ‘Life only moves for you in the paradigm of action.’ So we’re taking action.”
Working toward a new city
Volunteers have spent their free time pressure-washing Crescent City sidewalks, repainting the city’s lampposts and decorating the area, Marie said.
She and Rudd said their volunteer list keeps growing. Some merchants are involved in the revitalization plans, Rudd added, but many people are simply residents who see downtown Crescent City as a jewel and wanted to pitch in to make it better.
“The premise is no one’s coming to save us, you know? We’ve got to take care of this,” Rudd said.
Marie started reaching out to property owners to build partnerships and help them clean up dilapidated buildings and fill empty spaces. Rudd said if building owners revamp their properties, it’s an investment not only in their business but in the community.
Volunteers, according to Marie and Rudd, have been offering to help businesses clean up or work with them to benefit the city.
Rudd said revitalization efforts kicked off about one year ago, and part of the plans for the city includes applying for the Main Street America Program.
This program works with smaller communities to revitalize older, historic cities “to build vibrant neighborhoods and thriving communities,” according to the Main Street America website.
While Crescent City has not yet been accepted into the program, Rudd feels the city is perfect for the program.
Main Street America was designed for small towns like Crescent City, where residents are “hungry” for change, he said.
What to do in Crescent City
Modernizing the city is not solely about building renovations. It also involves events and drawing people to the area, city leaders said.
A Crescent City Art & Farmers Market recently took shape in the downtown area. People can take a stroll along the corner of Central Avenue and Summit Street on Saturday from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Shop for fresh produce, baked goods and homemade crafts while listening to live music and grabbing a bite to eat from local food trucks.
Marie said the community response has been awesome since the markets started earlier this year.
But she has much more planned for community events. Marie said her job is nonstop but she loves it.
“I believe in the cause, and I’m passionate about it,” she said. “So I do eat, sleep and drink downtown.”
City leaders are also working to expand Crescent City’s cultural atmosphere, especially with the area’s large Latino population. To be more inclusive, city advertisements are written in English and Spanish.
The Crescent City Downtown Partnership, which works in conjunction with the redevelopment agency, is hosting a Dia de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, festival 4–8 p.m. Oct. 29 at Eva Lyon Park to celebrate the area’s Latino culture.
Rudd and Marie also said they want to beef up the city’s Juneteenth celebrations, start hosting art walks and have a Soul Food Festival.
On top of the events, Marie said, Crescent City history plays an important part in their efforts and they are working to keep local history alive. Rudd added that they are focusing on preservation.
“Our history is the main asset of our town and what makes us special,” Marie said. “The generations that are here, it’s just pretty amazing, pretty unique.”
People who want to get involved in Crescent City’s revitalization efforts can reach out to Marie on the Crescent City Downtown Partnership Facebook page or call her at 386-687-7391.
People can join the economic vitality, promotions, organization or design committees or simply volunteer to help with events or clean up the area.