Tallahassee's North Monroe Street corridor has problems. Now Leon County government has appointed a new citizens' group to suggest solutions.
The group held its initial meeting Thursday night at the county's community center on Fred George Road. One of the members is Robin Hassler Thompson, who heads the Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center that fights human trafficking.
"All of these issues, the homeless issue, the crime issue, the corridor issues, how they all sort of run into each other and kind of reinforce, I hope, a good solution to try and improve the whole area for everyone."
Member Jordan Scott, who has an organized labor background, sees economics as a root cause of the troubles.
"One of the things we've also recommended is that there is a thorough and honest research of socio-economic conditions on anyplace where working-class people live in Tallahassee or around the Big Bend."
Leon County Administrator Vince Long, who sat in for much of the meeting, opined the informed input of area residents provides valuable information that local government policymakers might otherwise overlook.
"We just appreciate that perspective so much and we recognize the value in getting that front-line, every day, people-on-the-street feedback of what they believe the community can benefit from in terms of the built environment."
There will be at least four meetings of the North Monroe Corridor Citizens Task Force through mid-September.
