April 13,2006
What Is TEAM Punta Gorda Doing These Days?
By Rick Kilmer, Director, TEAM Punta Gorda


TEAM Punta Gorda recognizes the need for the community to be kept well informed on the progress of rebuilding greater Punta Gorda. We applaud City Manager Howard Kunik’s regular reporting of city initiatives. Revitalization is truly a team effort. City, County, TEAM Punta Gorda, civic organizations, community groups, the Chambers of Commerce and all interested residents need to work together to achieve the creation of the Punta Gorda vision. TEAM strives to work with all involved parties. Some activity is very public and other ventures move through more private negotiation. The following is a brief synopsis of recent TEAM activity.

Delray Beach Presentation: TEAM has arranged for a public presentation on April 26th at 6 p.m. at the Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association, 2001 Shreve St. Officials from Delray Beach will discuss how their community renewed itself with the help of a Citizens Master Plan created by the same urban planners who authored Punta Gorda’s plan. We encourage public officials from the city and county, and members of the community, to attend. Co-sponsors and co-hosts of this event include the Punta Gorda and Charlotte County Chambers of Commerce, the South County Coalition, PGI Civic Association, Burnt Store Isles Association, Trabue Woods Economic Development Corp., Charlotte County Young Professionals, Florida Gulf Coast University-Charlotte, Best Western Hotel, and Bisous at the Spa.

New City Marketplace: Developer Ron Oskey’s preliminary plan for a hotel and office/retail space has been approved by City Council, although detailed architectural plans have not yet been submitted or approved. TEAM has informed the city it has not yet endorsed the multi-use project as consistent with the guidelines of the Master Plan. We feel further consultation with Mr. Oskey is necessary about the perceptually massive nature of the finished project. The existing design lacks a lower profile at street level (setbacks) and sufficiently varying roofline heights (articulation).

Citizens Master Plan Awards: TEAM is developing award signage for construction projects that meet the goals of the Master Plan. The signs could be displayed at the completed or under-construction site and would read as follows, under the Team Punta Gorda logo: “Citizens Master Plan TEAM Award.” A cover letter and certificate will be sent to selected project owners.

Auditorium/Events Center: County officials have not yet finalized plans for the new center. TEAM hopes to use an existing county architectural plan for the proposed center at the south end of the property, and suggest to county officials alterations and additions TEAM feels would enhance the center’s usage and better integrate it into the Master Plan.

Waterfront: TEAM’s waterfront committee has prepared a presentation on a proposed mooring field for 30 transient boats at Gilchrist Park. The Boater’s Alliance and Chamber of Commerce, among others, support the proposal. The presentation is headed over to city officials for review.

Wal-Mart Supercenter: Wal-Mart officials have agreed to consider TEAM suggestions about exterior modifications to its Mediterranean-style Supercenter on Jones Loop Road
(planned opening in 2007) to make the building more consistent with the vision of the Master Plan.

Public Update: TEAM will hold an informational meeting on June 21st at 6:30 p.m. at The Visual Arts Center, 210 Maud Street, in Punta Gorda. The public is invited to attend for an update on TEAM’s initiatives regarding the Citizens Master Plan and the redevelopment of the city and its environs.

Please visit our website at www.teampuntagorda.org for more information on the Citizens Master Plan and TEAM’s activities and positions on various projects.