"Team Punta Gorda’s master plan influences area

June 28, 2008 Charlotte Sun

by Nancy Prafke, CEO

TEAM Punta Gorda is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization.  For more information, visit our website or call 941-637-TEAM (8326). 

As we drive around our community we can see visual evidence of the influence of the Citizens’ Master Plan 2005. Building design, architecture, and planning considerations have inspired many different looks but one that unites our community’s appeal, both to those who live here and those who visit. Most of us think of examples downtown like Dean’s South of the Border, Laishley Park, Sunloft Center, and Swiss Connections. These are all recipients of Team’s Citizens’ Master Plan Design Award, recognizing those who have excelled in their ability to implement the vision. St. Mary Primitive Baptist Church and Old Town Center have also received this designation.

Team’s latest recipient isn’t downtown but is nearby. It’s worth a short drive to see this outstanding project. Trabue-Woods Estate is an affordable-living facility built by the Trabue-Woods Economic Development LLC in East Punta Gorda at the corner of East Virginia Avenue and Milus Street. It features two one-bedroom apartments and three two- and three-bedroom townhouses. The beautifully-designed, old-Florida-style building has covered porches that provide a social gathering place for family and friends.

The plans for Trabue Woods Estate have been in progress for nearly four years. After Hurricane Charley visited our city and took away much of our affordable housing, Trabue Woods Economic Development LLC began formulating plans to respond to a strong community need. According to Board President Anna Callwood, the Trabue Woods Economic Development LLC is committed to the Citizens’ Master Plan and has begun working toward implementing Phase II of its community development goal. This includes building a soul food restaurant with apartments housed upstairs. A pre-construction timeline for Phase II has been set for 2010.

Trabue-Woods Economic Development LLC and all the community organizations of the Trabue-Woods neighborhood are committed to bringing back the feel of yesterday and the opportunities of tomorrow by offering new affordable housing, services and vitality to the community. Back in the day, people came from near and far to socialize and patronize the businesses housed in the East Punta Gorda neighborhood. The area is further enhanced by the City of Punta Gorda's Martin Luther King Boulevard brick paving project that is near completion.

On your tour to see Trabue Woods Estate and Martin Luther King Boulevard make sure to include:

·         The Bernice Russell Community Development Corporation Complex, located at 329 E. Virginia, is a multi-use building also featuring an old-Florida look.

·         The Housing Corporation of Charlotte County’s attractive, affordable housing at 410, 414, and 418 Helen Avenue on property donated by the City of Punta Gorda.

·         Gulf Breeze Apartments, 171 units of affordable housing, built by the Punta Gorda Housing Authority on Gulf Breeze Avenue and Cooper Street.

For pictures of Trabue Woods Estate, go to our website at www.teampuntagorda.org  . If you would like to join Team as a member and/or volunteer, call us at 637-8326 or visit our website. This is your chance to personally have an impact on our community. Your contributions are also welcome.