When Tom is on the campaign trail speaking with voters, the phrase “Responsible Growth” means different things to different people. For some, it is about neighborhoods and housing; for others, businesses and commercial development; and for others, economic development. For purposes of this discussion, we will consider responsible growth through the complementary lenses of residential and commercial growth.
Tallahassee has assets many cities would envy: one of the country’s best urban tree canopies, rolling topography, numerous lakes and parks, universities that bring cultural life, and neighborhoods with distinct identities.
Responsible growth should build on those strengths by:
- Preserving and expanding our tree canopy;
- Creating denser, mixed-use “village” centers rather than extending strip development;
- Strengthening connections among parks, greenways, trails, neighborhoods, and commercial centers;
- Enhancing the public realm through thoughtful architecture and streetscape standards; and
- Continuing to revitalize downtown and surrounding neighborhoods with housing, arts, and local businesses.
These investments allow Tallahassee to grow while preserving the character, sense of place, and quality of life that make our community distinctive.