Golfweek Features Jerry Pate Design and Teeth of the Dog - Read More
At Jerry Pate Design, we’ve always believed that thoughtful design has the power to transform communities—not just for today, but for generations to come. That belief was validated on a national stage when Pensacola, Florida, was crowned the winner of the 2019 Strongest Town Contest.
Strong Towns, an organization dedicated to building resilient and financially sound communities, recognized Pensacola for its impressive efforts to revitalize and reimagine its urban landscape. One of the most compelling examples came from a site once home to a one-story printing press building—an underutilized property that contributed just $70,000 annually in property taxes.
Today, thanks to strategic planning and reinvestment, the land has been transformed into a vibrant mixed-use area that generates an incredible $700,000 in property tax revenue each year.
Jerry Pate Design’s Role in Pensacola’s Transformation
We are proud that Jerry Pate Design had the opportunity to contribute to the very projects that helped Pensacola earn this recognition. By focusing on sustainable planning, walkability, and spaces that invite connection, our work supported the city’s mission to transform vacant, obsolete, or neglected properties into thriving community assets.
Pensacola’s success story is not just about buildings—it’s about creating a vision of place that supports businesses, residents, and visitors alike. At the heart of this transformation is a design philosophy that values community engagement, economic vitality, and long-term resilience.
Why This Matters
Pensacola’s recognition as Strongest Town is more than an award. It’s proof that investment in smart design pays off. Where there was once vacancy and decline, there is now growth, opportunity, and renewed civic pride. Communities across the country can learn from this example: that strategic, thoughtful design can unlock hidden potential in the very places we pass by every day.
Looking Ahead
This September, civic leaders will gather at the Civic Leaders Summit (September 23–25) to learn more about how communities like Pensacola made this transformation possible. We’re thrilled to see Pensacola’s work celebrated, and even more honored to have played a part in shaping the future of this incredible city.
At Jerry Pate Design, we remain committed to bringing the same vision, creativity, and purpose to every project we undertake. After all, building stronger towns is not just about design—it’s about designing for people, for progress, and for the future.
