TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Expanding tourism and improving infrastructure in the Southside community of Tallahassee.
City and county leaders are moving forward with $350 million in projects that they hope will have a big impact on Leon County for years to come.
A total of $1.1 million of those dollars will go toward creating a dozen new public art murals and monuments to beautify the community and attract new people to Tallahassee.
“It affects you in a good way, both physically and mentally, it tells the story of your neighborhood.”
Yasaman Mersa is an artist working on a new mural under the overpass at Anita R. Favors Plaza.
It is part of a 1.5-mile historic and cultural trail that will run from South Monroe Street to Lake Bradford Road along the FAMU Way corridor.
“I’m calling for renewed interest, renewed commitment to the community, but also student inspiration, African-American student inspiration.”
Alisha Lewis is also an artist who is creating a new sculpture to honor all the Florida A&M student civil rights activists who have left their mark on the same path over the years. The route is just one of many moving parts in the Southside Action Plan…led by the City of Tallahassee, Leon County leaders and the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency.
“It will highlight what this area will become in the future.”
Mayor Pro Tem Curtis Richardson says this action plan aims to revitalize the southside community in all areas by installing new parks, improving roads and infrastructure, and improving transportation.
“It’s sure to be a draw, not only regionally, but for those interested in African-American history, specifically Tallahassee history, throughout Florida, the Southeast and beyond.”
Tatiana Dagillard, project manager for Blueprint IA, says the trail will not only be an investment in the neighborhood, but could also spur more growth.
“We’re bringing new people to this area who have never been here before, and now with the draw, they’re coming here and they’re going to spend their dollars with their families.”
The entire FAMU Way History and Culture Trail will be completed in early 2023.
