City’s ‘Imagine 2050’ Wins Planning Award

Comprehensive Plan updates aren’t usually interesting of compelling reading. But Palm Coast’s “Imagine 2050: City on the Rise” comp plan update caught the eye of the Northeast Florida Regional Council. The city recently received a Regional Award for Excellence for Planning and Growth Management from the NEFRC, according to a media release.

The Northeast Florida Regional Council’s Regional Awards honor projects that demonstrate leadership in innovation, collaboration, and sustainability.

Deputy Chief Development Officer Ray Tyner, Communications and Marketing Director Brittany Kershaw, and Kathie Ebaugh of JB Pro, the City’s consultant for the Imagine 2050 project, accepted the award at an awards luncheon earlier this month in Jacksonville. Joining them at the event were Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston, Chief of Staff Jason DeLorenzo, and Council Member Charles Gambaro, who also serves on the Board of Directors for the NEFRC, the release states.

According to the release, the City Council initiated the Imagine 2050 project to address the city’s evolving needs and to plan for smart-managed growth. The initiative engaged residents, businesses, and stakeholders, emphasizing collaboration to formulate a comprehensive plan that truly reflects the community’s vision for the future.

“Imagine 2050 represents the essence of Palm Coast’s spirit—forward-thinking, collaborative, and dedicated to nurturing a thriving community,” Johnston said in the release. “This award showcases the hard work and creativity of our staff and the invaluable input of our residents.”

The project’s success is rooted in an extensive outreach campaign led by a cross-departmental team, including significant contributions from the Community Development Department and the Communications and Marketing Department, the release states. The city held 24 “pop-up” events that engaged more than 1,500 residents, along with portable meets, website engagement, social media reach and a weekly newsletter to inform residents of the comp plan changes, according to the release.

 “We are proud to be recognized for a plan that not only addresses the needs of today but also sets the stage for the Palm Coast of tomorrow,” Johnston said. “Imagine 2050 is a great example of the power of community-driven planning.”