San Marco Preservation Society recently received an award from the Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission for its participation in the project San Marco by Design: A Smart Growth Plan for North San Marco. SMPS worked with the City Planning Department to develop a plan for future development of the area north of Atlantic Boulevard.  Community workshops were held to obtain input from the public where land use and zoning codes were presented in detail for study.

The award was presented by Richard Moore, Historic Commission Member, who stated, “The resulting plan lays out 11 unique districts within the study area.  It ultimately recognized the need to promote infill development that makes economic sense and enhances the vitality of San Marco neighborhoods, while preserving its historic character.”

The Jacksonville Historic Commission gives out preservation awards each year in May in conjunction with National Preservation Month.  SMPS has received preservation awards twice in the past:  Once, for the renovation of the South Jacksonville City Hall building and once for the publication of a book on the history of San Marco entitled “Southbank Sojourn.”

Other partners who participated in this project were Florida Blue, FLAGG Design Studio, Healthy Jacksonville and the Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida, making it a unique public, private and nonprofit community partnership.