a partnership of
The City of Apalachicola and Franklin’s Promise Coalition
The recent acquisition of the former Apalachicola High School at 192 14th Street in the center of Apalachicola has enabled the City of Apalachicola to begin a partnership with Franklin’s Promise Coalition, Inc, the community coalition for Franklin Country.
The vision is to reinvent the facility and adjoining grounds as a hub for recreation and community service programs and organizations. The benefit for the community is the co-location of services in one convenient and accessible location. The benefit for the organizations involved is sharing a collective client base, increased communication and collaborative opportunities, and the sharing of expenses to reduce operational overhead, allowing more resources to be allocated to direct services.
The City of Apalachicola has invested over a year in the initial clean-up of the property and with the finalization of the agreements with the Franklin County School Board is ready to move forward with short and long term plans for renovation and operation.
The short term vision is to repair, paint and open the facility. The long term plans are general, but include reworking the heating and cooling systems to meet the new uses, repairing and upgrading the grounds, and updating the exteriors of the buildings. All of these will take a community effort and support from a broad range of agencies and organizations. Grants have been initiated by the City and the collaboration of a strong group of partners will ensure greater success in securing funding.
A proposal to initiate the agreements necessary to operate the Community Service Center was approved by the Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners in April.
Organizations are pledging their intentions for location in the facility. The City will provide space to appropriate Non-profit Organizations at no cost. Franklin’s Promise Coalition will act as the “lead agency” and coordinate with tenants and oversee the sight on the City’s behalf. Organizations will be expected to contribute to the utilities and insurance required to operate the compound. A committee made up of participating organizations will make recommendations for signage, a comprehensive approach to addressing the heating and cooling requirements, other improvements and daily operation.
The initial fees that have been established to operate the facility are to be covered by the organizational partners at a rate of $250 per organization (per space, per quarter, less then $84 per month) with the need to acquire 20 participating organizations. Wireless internet will be included in the fee. However the organization will be responsible for any interior improvements that are made. Interior improvements must meet City codes and be approved by the City Building Inspector. Organizations will be expected to make a minimum of a one year commitment to the project.
Plans include common services and facilities to include a computer lab, at least two furnished classrooms, a large meeting room, a large activity room and break room.
If your non-profit organization would like more information about the Community Service Center, please contact Cindy Summerhill with the City of Apalachicola, 850-653-9319 or Joe Taylor, Executive Director, Franklin’s Promise Coalition at 850-323-0176.
