The Town Center enjoys a strategic location on the Atlantic Ocean along the terminus of Atlantic Boulevard where the communities of Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach meet. Historically, the Town Center area has served as the ?EUR??,,????'??Downtown?EUR??,,????'?? for these two small coastal communities in Northeast Florida, just south of where the St. Johns River concludes its northern journey into the Atlantic Ocean. During the late nineteenth and into the early twentieth century, the Beaches Communities, along with the City of Jacksonville, flourished as one of the nation?EUR??,,????'???s top winter tourist resorts. Just as it was then, the juncture of Atlantic Boulevard with the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean in Town Center is today flanked by two oceanfront hotels. The Boulevard was one of the original roadways connecting Jacksonville and the Beaches and continues to currently serve as one of three major connecting links. Town Center is the realization of a truly unique community partnership effort to recapture the essence, flavor and ambiance of our traditional small town neighborhood centers and town squares. The idea was hatched in 1991 at the annual Street Party that was held along Atlantic Boulevard from its intersection with First Street on the Neptune Beach side and Ocean Boulevard on the Atlantic Beach side and the beach. A passing comment by the Mayor of Atlantic Beach to one of the local merchants at that event led to the formation of The Town Center Agency, a local grass-roots non-profit organization of business owners, professionals, elected officials, and residents. The Agency hosted a Community Charette, facilitated by two architects and two Landscape Architects from the Beaches Communities. This public community brainstorm led to a consensus of Goals and Objectives and a conceptual vision for Town Center, which included creating a strong sense of identity and place with wide brick walks, tree-lined streets with special brick accents, along with decorative streetlights and distinctive street furnishings. With the endorsement of elected officials of both communities, along with area merchants, property owners, and residents, the dedicated volunteers of the Agency began their fund-raising programs. By the fall of 1992, sufficient funding was available to commence the initial planning and design steps toward achieving the vision. Approximately $1.7 million was available by private funds raised through The Town Center Agency and public funds provided by the Cities of Atlantic and Neptune Beaches, along with substantial support by the City of Jacksonville The Town Center Agency established a Planning and Design Committee to oversee the continued planning, design, and development activities. Following their review of consultant qualifications and subsequent interviews, the Committee commissioned the land planning and landscape architectural firm of R. Glen Mitchell & Associates (RGMA) of Jacksonville to prepare a definitive Master Plan for Town Center along with the final design and construction documents for the initial development phase. Revitalization activities included the continued conversion of the existing overhead utility lines to underground services, along with the now established palette of new paving, drainage, and curbs for the streets, salvaged historic street bricks for cross walks, expanded brick sidewalks, street trees of matched Sabal Palms, accented with expanded planting areas at intersections, now featuring the Medjool Palm, along with the decorative lights and street furnishings. Particular features of this phase included twin columns of brick and coral, surmounted by decorative metal poles with tall colorful banners, serving as a welcoming Gateway to Town Center and the Beaches. The completion of four-phase Town Center streetscape revitalization program was celebrated in May 2001, with a dedication and reception, featuring the current Mayors of the respective communities and the Chair of The Town Center Agency. The celebration also recognized the many other elected and appointed officials, community leaders, and citizens who had been instrumental over the years in accomplishing the goals and objectives of this new and exciting Town Center.