Team Punta Gorda looking ahead

PUNTA GORDA, November 6, 2005 -- More than a year ago, when Punta Gorda was still reeling from Hurricane Charley, Roger Kress asked the city's Revitalization Board a question.

"What is the city going to do to promote (redevelopment)?"

That question turned out to be the seed that grew into Team Punta Gorda, the grassroots group that raised more than $200,000 for the creation of the Citizens Master Plan 2005. The group hired Jaime Correa, who is the Knight professor for community planning with the University of Miami and a leader in the "new urbanism" planning that encourages development of neo-traditional, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods.

Team Punta Gorda will be holding its first "annual" meeting from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at the Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association, 2001 Shreve St. The meeting is free and the public is welcome.

"So bring your questions," a Team Punta Gorda announcement of the meeting stated.

Kress and other Team Punta Gorda members will not only talk about what the group has accomplished over the past year but will outline its goals for 2006.

Among its future projects, Team Punta Gorda and the city are working together to landscape the 100 block of West Marion Avenue. Other projects and goals can be found on Team Punta Gorda's Internet site at www.teampuntagorda.org.

The impact of Team Punta Gorda on the city could be heard in Mayor Steve Fabian's "State of the City" address when he said, "I would be remiss if I didn't thank Team Punta Gorda for the work that they did."

Fabian described the Citizens Master Plan as providing a guide for the recovery and rebuilding effort in the city.

In February 2000, Team Punta Gorda garnered Gov. Jeb Bush's Points of Light award. The award recognizes those Florida residents and organizations that demonstrate exemplary volunteer service to their community.

"I think (Team Punta Gorda) very intuitive," said Councilwoman Marilyn Smith-Mooney. She described Team Punta Gorda as doing the right things at the right time for the city that garnered a broad base of support from the community.

That support could be seen when Team Punta Gorda presented the plan to an overflowing crowd and support at the Sacred Heart Parish Center in April.

You can e-mail Steve Reilly at reilly@sun-herald.com.

By STEVE REILLY, Charlotte Sun Herald