TEAM Punta Gorda

Economic Development

Higher Education

Posted two ads in Chronicle of Higher Education with seven consultants responding
Ads announced an RFP to select a consultant to study the feasibility of Punta Gorda to additional higher education institutions
Attracted the interest of the American International College to bring a satellite campus to Punta Gorda

Spokes and Trails

Set the goal to become a “Bicycle-Friendly Community”
Led quarterly no-spandex rides
Held successful Hibiscus Tour on June 14, 2008 – Goal was 100 riders and we had 109
Held a successful Hibiscus Tour in May 2009 bringing in 152 riders, many from outside of Charlotte County, to participate in the festivities

Artisans’ Village Committee

Surveyed local artists
Adopted both virtual and bricks-and-mortar approaches
Presented an Artisans' Atelier concept to the City of Punta Gorda

Maritime Development Committee

Completed Waterfront Master Plan with a 2.4 mile-long promenade backbone
Presented to Waterfront Development Advisory Committee and City Council
Included Promenade design in City’s Infrastructure Sales Tax budget
Scheduled to present to many Punta Gorda area organizations

Welcomed Skybus’ first arrival in Punta Gorda, December 5, 2007
Presented TEAM to Charlotte County Airport Authority on December 20, 2007
Invited to attend the ground-breaking for Sheraton Four Points and Calusa National Bank
Wrote the grant to fund the Chesapeake Group Economic Feasibility Study and report
Assisted with founding of Enterprise Punta Gorda and a member served on its Board

Beautification

Completed Marion Avenue beautification project between US 41 North and Taylor in 2005
Laid two-thirds of bricks on Herald Court walk in 2006
Planted shrubs in the new pocket park in 2007, now known as Hector House Plaza
Completed Hector House Plaza with a Brick Laying Party in 2008 – 4 ½ pallets of bricks in 95 minutes
Enhanced interactive fountain design through Architecture Committee’s pattern and color suggestions
Completed paver program for placement in Herald Court and Hector House Plaza
Introduced new paver program with pavers placed at interactive fountain site
Organized and facilitated the Bridge Banner Contest
Received Arbor Day recognition in 2007 from the City of Punta Gorda for beautification initiatives
Landscaped the Interactive Fountain at Laishley Park with shade trees in 2009

Community Projects

Presented Alligator Creek Alternate Access project to Waterfront Development Advisory Committee and City Council
Participated as a member of Whalley Stage committee
Worked with Charlotte County Parks & Recreation for additional Event Center promenade lighting and drinking fountain
Provided support to Sheraton Four Points on promenade
Supported the purchase of bicycle racks for placement around the City
Hired renowned Urban Planner Jaime Correa who led the development of the Citizens’ Master Plan 2005
Consulted on numerous projects around greater Punta Gorda to help facilitate the implementation of the Citizens’ Master Plan 2005 and to educate the public
Organized a trip to Delray Beach to examine how this city redeveloped itself
Presented a Delray Beach educational event at PGICA to transfer learning points to civic and governmental leaders

Communications & Advocacy

Distributed monthly TEAMTalk e-newsletters
Contributed monthly Charlotte Sun TEAM columns
Completed a total website redesign
Represented TEAM members by providing input at numerous City Council and County Commission meetings during the year
Presented Citizens’ Master Plan Design Awards to:

Trabue Woods Estates – 2008
Laishley Park & Marina – 2007
Dean’s South of the Border Cantina – 2007
St. Mary Primitive Baptist Church – 2007
Isles Yacht Club – 2006
Old Town Center – 2006
Sunloft Center – 2006
Thomas Ryan Building - 2006
Swiss Connections - 2006
Gulf Breeze Apartments - 2009
The Wyvern Hotel - 2009
Herald Court Centre - 2009
Four Points by Sheraton - 2009

Government Relations

Continued fostering excellent relationships with our City partners
Working on building relationships with new County leaders
Continued attending numerous City and County meetings (Government Relations Committee)
Attended Event Center topping-off ceremony
Participated in Event Center color selection process
Established a volunteer process to support the City’s special projects where citizen involvement is requested
Participated in Charlotte County Infrastructure Sales Tax Focus Group
Architecture Committee invited to participate as a full partner of the City’s Design Studio
A committee of two City staff and two TEAM volunteers reviewed the Citizens’ Master Plan – results are 90% of CMP implemented or in process
TEAM members on Waterfront Development Advisory Committee and Revitalization Committee
Provided 50% of the matching funds for the FEMA grant to complete the Economic Development Feasibility Study
Working with the Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners and the City Council of Punta Gorda on gateway entrances unification
Working with the City of Punta Gorda on the Bicycle Loaner Program

Collaboration & Partnerships

Participated in welcoming Marines to Punta Gorda
Participant in Think Thursdays initiative
Punta Gorda Historic Mural Society’s Advisory Board

Supported getting a mural at the Event Center

Main Street Punta Gorda Board of Directors member
Leadership Advisory Board of Charlotte Community Foundation
Peace River National Arts Festival planning group
Punta Gorda Boaters Alliance member

Administration & Infrastructure

Expanded Spokes and Trails Committee – including business owners, city staff, Charlotte County Health Department, and many bicycling enthusiasts
Maritime Development Committee – including Waterfront Development Advisory Committee, Punta Gorda Boaters' Alliance, business owners, boat clubs, and boating enthusiasts
New Artisans’ Village Committee – including Arts & Humanities Council, Visual Arts Center, galleries, artists, architects, and many arts enthusiasts
New Architecture Committee formed that supports the Citizens’ Master Plan elements
New Communications Committee formed to include innovative ways to reach the community
Administration, Fundraising, Government Relations, and Special Events & Volunteers Chairs
Restructured the administration to create a more sustainable organization
Formed a Community Gardens committee
Formed a History Center committee to explore a venue for historical archives
Strategic planning completed for all key committees
Relocated office to first floor in Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce suite with expanded meeting space for committees

Funding

Held the successful 6th Annual Golf Tournament and 2011 Hibiscus Bicycle Tour
Raised enough funds from our commemorative paver program to plant shade trees around the Interactive Fountain in Laishley Park
Paver project continues to support beautification. Raised enough funds from our commemorative paver program to purchase six royal palms for the Event Center grounds, plantings around the “welcome” signs and other intra-city landscaping and plant shade trees around the Interactive Fountain in Laishley Park.
Contributions from members
Upon the creation of TEAM Punta Gorda in November 2004 over $200,000 was raised to fund the creation of the Citizens’ Master Plan

Grants & Non-Profit Resources

Researched grant sources for Farmer’s Market and TEAM initiatives
Wrote and received a $7,500 grant from Charlotte Community Foundation in 2007 for a community summit
Facilitated strategic planning for:

Main Street
New Operation Cooper Street Board
Charlotte County Arts & Humanities Council
Sea Grape Gallery Co-op
Charlotte County Homeless Coalition
Enterprise Punta Gorda

Assisted the City of Punta Gorda in obtaining an Honorable Mention as a bicycle-friendly community

Volunteers

Participation in the Enterprise Charlotte Economic Council
Assisted with the Xtreme Makeover Celebration in August 2009
Increased membership to over 2,000 members
Active volunteers supported 11 community events with 250 volunteers
Provided thousands of hours of service in pursuit of TEAM’s mission
Held a 2009 Volunteer Appreciation Reception at the PGI Civic Association
Volunteer Appreciation Reception at Vivante on January 28 attended by approximately 75 people

Honored seven TEAM volunteers for outstanding service

Volunteer orientation on February 2, 2008 attended by approximately 30 people
New VIP Crew ensuring TEAM volunteers know roles at events

Awards

Presented with the 2009 Non-Profit Business of the Year from the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce