|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 20, 2025
|
|
Leon County Celebrates New Miccosukee Community Center in Historic Concord School Building
This morning, Leon County Government celebrated the opening of the new Miccosukee Community Center at 15011 Cromartie Road. The community center, located in the historic Concord School building, breathes new life into space while preserving the building’s charm and character. Enhancements to the Miccosukee Community Center include a completely renovated interior with a community meeting space, a warming kitchen, and multipurpose programming spaces, as well as an exterior refresh.
"This transformation of the historic Concord School marks an exciting new chapter for the Miccosukee community and Leon County as a whole,” said Leon County Commission Chairman and District 4 Commissioner Brian Welch. “Whether it’s for a community program, family celebration, or just neighbors coming together, the Miccosukee Community Center will serve as a vibrant community hub for generations to come.”
The Miccosukee Community Center features a 2,300-square-foot community meeting space and warming kitchen, designed to bring residents together for any occasion. The warming kitchen includes a refrigerator, ice maker, and microwave. Additionally, the Center includes two multipurpose programming spaces, which can accommodate up to 32 people, that are available for community groups and organizations to reserve. Both programming spaces are equipped with audio-visual technology, tables, chairs, and computers.
Surrounding the Miccosukee Community Center, residents can now enjoy resurfaced basketball courts with LED lighting, over half a mile of walking trails, all-new netting on baseball fields, updated concession building and restrooms, accessible parking and sidewalks, and new playground and picnic tables, as part of the Miccosukee Park.
“This project reflects Leon County’s unwavering commitment to serving every corner of our community,” said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. “By revitalizing this historic landmark, we are both preserving a vital piece of shared history and continuing our long-standing investment into the Miccosukee community.”
The Center will also serve as a centralized hub for youth programming activated through a partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of the Big Bend.
"This center provides a safe and engaging place for community youth to play, learn, and grow.,” said Kacy Dennis, CEO and Director of the Boys & Girls Club of the Big Bend. “The Boys & Girls Club is thrilled to be part of this space, where we can continue our mission of empowering young people to reach their full potential.”
Inside the community center, residents can enjoy the Miccosukee Community History Wall, a digital showcase of photos from the Miccosukee community that celebrate the rich history, memories and progress of the area and its community members. Residents may submit their own Miccosukee community photos for consideration online at LeonCountyFL.gov/MiccosukeeHistory.
"We’re proud to deliver a space that balances historic preservation with modern functionality,” said Leon County Parks & Recreation Director Amanda Heidecker. “From recreational programming to educational resources, this new center offers something for everyone. It’s been a privilege to work alongside the community to ensure this transformation meets their growing needs."
The Miccosukee Community Center is the result of years of community input and collaboration. In 2016, Leon County spearheaded the Miccosukee Sense of Place Plan, which included a key objective to “consolidate the community center with the amenities at the Concord School site.” In 2018, following community input from the Miccosukee Sense of Place Plan, the County successfully acquired the Concord School property from the Leon County Schools.
Thanks to significant federal grant funding, including a $3.6 million Community Development Block Grant and $1 million in federal funding as part of Congress’ Fiscal Year 2022 appropriation bill, the County has invested more than $5 million in the renovation of the building and surrounding grounds.
View before and after photos of the renovation process here!
For more information, please contact Amanda Heidecker, Leon County Parks and Recreation, at (850) 606-1475 / HeideckerA@LeonCountyfl.gov, or Mathieu Cavell, Leon County Community and Media Relations, at (850) 606-5300 / CMR@LeonCountyFL.gov.
 |
|
|
|