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Newtown CRA unveils brand, website and community-led 'Newtown Thriving' action plan; City Commission accepts report
Summary
The Newtown Community Redevelopment Agency advisory board presented a new brand, website and outreach plan and the Newtown Business Council presented a community-driven Newtown Thriving action plan. The City Commission accepted the CRA advisory board report and the board endorsed the action plan.
The Sarasota City Commission on Aug. 18 accepted a report from the Newtown Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) advisory board detailing a new branding and communications plan and its partnership with the community-led Newtown Business Council’s Newtown Thriving community action plan.
The CRA advisory board described a new, community-tested visual identity and a dedicated website, newtowncra.org, intended to centralize information on grants, projects and events. Alex Chou (Chow) and CRA business relations staff said the goal is greater transparency, stronger resident engagement and a sharper case for local investment.
“The goal was to build a consistent brand, stronger engagement, and greater visibility for the Newtown CRA,” advisory board chair Alex Chow told the commission. The board said branding and website mock-ups include community elements — such as symbols chosen to reflect Newtown’s heritage — and mock ups for social media and printed materials to boost outreach.
The Newtown Business Council, a recently formed nonprofit economic organization, summarized its Newtown Thriving community action plan, a two-year process of workshops, community surveys and strategy sessions supported by a federal economic development program. Mary Butler, chair of the Newtown Business Council, outlined five community priorities in the plan: health and wellness; arts and culture; business and finance; youth education and mentorship; and community safety and security. The council plans targeted projects, including cultural events, business training and neighborhood infrastructure improvements.
The CRA advisory board voted to formally support the Newtown Thriving plan and recommended partnership between the CRA and the Newtown Business Council to align redevelopment activity with priorities identified by residents. City staff said the CRA will consider funding and technical support where projects align with the CRA’s adopted redevelopment plan and available budgets.
Commission action: Vice Mayor Trice moved and the commission unanimously accepted the CRA advisory board report and the advisory board’s recommendations. Commissioners also praised the volunteers and the business council for community engagement efforts and encouraged outreach to additional partners, including Sarasota County, to expand resources. The Newtown Business Council announced it has obtained 501(c)(3) status and expects to expand partnerships and funding requests.
What’s next: The CRA and the Newtown Business Council will continue workshops and seek partnerships to move priority projects from the action plan into funded initiatives. The CRA and city staff said they will coordinate with partners and present funding requests or project proposals to the commission as those opportunities arise.
