Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee Recognizes Florida Main Street’s Newest Participating Communities

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –

Today, Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee recognizes Florida Main Street’s four newest participating communities. These communities are now eligible for technical assistance from the Florida Main Street program to support local revitalization and historic preservation efforts.

“I am thrilled to recognize Allapattah Main Street of Miami, Main Street Fort Meade, Glenwood Main Street of Panama City and Millville Main Street of Panama City as the newest Florida Main Street communities,” said Secretary Lee. “I look forward to your future successes and achievements.”

Secretary Lee designated the four communities on October 30, 2020 following the 2020 meeting of the ad hoc Florida Main Street Advisory Committee. Composed of six members, the committee included representatives of the Florida Division of Historical Resources, Florida Redevelopment Association, Main Street Fort Pierce, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, 1000 Friends of Florida, and Florida Trust for Historic Preservation.

Allapattah is a culturally rich and diverse neighborhood in the City of Miami. Originally settled as agricultural land for the surrounding Miami area, Allapattah continued to grow during the 20th century. Due to decades of economic and environmental stress, Allapattah has seen disinvestment in the area. However, local small businesses have thrived and created a neighborhood “micro-economy” that continues to flourish. Allapattah Main Street is part of the Allapattah Collaborative, CDC.

Photo Provided by: Allapatah Main Street

As the oldest city in Polk County, Fort Meade is predominately characterized by the cattle and citrus industries. Over the past few years, dedicated teams of community leaders, local officials, and volunteers have worked diligently towards community revitalization that culminated in their application to join the Florida Main Street program. Additionally, Main Street Fort Meade’s district falls within Fort Meade’s Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. To learn more about Main Street Fort Meade, visit MainStreetFortMeadeFlorida.org.

Photo Provided by: Fort Meade Main Street

Established as a sector for growth in the 1920s, the Glenwood neighborhood continues to be the heart of Panama City’s African American community. A stop on the Florida Chitlin’ Circuit, Black-owned businesses, restaurants, entertainment venues, and faith organizations were plentiful in the mid-20th century. Many community organizations have coalesced to spur economic development, improve existing streetscapes, and encourage partnerships in Glenwood. Glenwood Main Street is administered by Panama City’s Downtown North Community Redevelopment Agency.

Photo Provided by: Glenwood Main Street

Millville is another historic neighborhood of Panama City. The community’s strategic location on the Watson Bayou allowed for the lumber, sawmill, and shipyard industries to thrive throughout the 20th century. The Millville commercial district, mainly located on 3rd Street, is within walking distance of the waterfront. Preservation of the neighborhood’s storefronts, residential homes, and churches will help maintain the charm of the historic waterfront community. Millville Main Street is administered by Panama City’s Millville Community Redevelopment Agency.

Photo Provided by: Millville Main Street

To learn more about Florida Main Street and our participating communities, visit FloridaMainStreet.com or Facebook.com/FloridaMainStreet.

###

About Florida Main Street

Florida Main Street is a program administered by the Division of Historical Resources under the Florida Department of State, which currently oversees 49 communities throughout the state. By implementing the National Main Street Center’s Four-Point Approach, Florida Main Street encourages economic development within the context of historic preservation through the revitalization of Florida’s downtowns – the community’s heart and soul.