COMMUNITY NEWS

Marion County Growth Services team members, from left, Kathleen Brugnoli, Chuck Varadin, Chip Rich, Ken Weyrauch and Chris Rison, pose with the award with members of the Florida Redevelopment Association leadership team. [Photo courtesy Marion County]

County receives planning award

Marion County has received the 2025 Roy F. Kenzie Award from the Florida Redevelopment Association for its planning work on the Silver Springs Community Redevelopment Area Master Plan.

The award, which recognizes excellence in planning studies for large communities, was presented to county commissioners during the Nov. 4 commission meeting. The commissioners serve as the CRA board.

The updated master plan, Reimagine Silver Springs, reflects a collaborative effort among Marion County departments and agencies including Growth Services, Community Services, Parks & Recreation, Public Relations and the Tourist Development Council, in partnership with consultants from Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.

Anchored by Silver Springs State Park, the plan identifies four key catalyst concepts: mixed-use development, multi-family housing, resort lodging and a revitalized town center. These strategies aim to strengthen the local economy, improve mobility and celebrate Silver Springs’ unique identity, according to the news release.

The plan also outlines infrastructure upgrades, branding initiatives and strategies to guide community reinvestment through 2052.

Library to close temporarily

The Marion County Public Library System has announced that the Freedom Public Library will be closed from Nov. 27 until Dec. 15 to move into the new expansion space.

Upon re-opening, there will be a temporary entrance and checkout on the east side of the building while the existing library space is renovated. There will also be a new traffic pattern and parking.

Over the past year, the Freedom Public Library has undergone construction work to expand its 8,100 square feet to approximately 32,000 square feet. When the expansion and renovation of public service areas are finished, they will include additional shelving space, new study rooms, comfortable seating and spacious workspaces, a 5,000-square-foot children’s area, an additional meeting room and a Friends of the Freedom Public Library used bookstore, the news release noted.

For information about all nine Marion County Public Library System locations, visit library.marionfl.org

Call to artists

NOMA Gallery and The LILAC Foundation invite artists to submit original fashion illustration concepts for transformation into couture and ready-to-wear garments for the Fall 2026 LILAC Threads of Change runway show.

This project celebrates creativity, sustainability and the intersection of art and design, where imagination becomes wearable form, according to the press release. Each piece will be constructed from pre-loved, donated garments curated and disassembled by a team for use in creating the new designs.

Artists are encouraged to submit two concepts:

• Couture Look: A bold, artistic statement — sculptural, conceptual or experimental (art in motion)
• Ready-to-Wear Look: A wearable design inspired by the couture concept maintaining the same aesthetic, color story or theme, but practical for everyday wear

Cash awards will range from $50 to $250.

For complete details, go to nomaocala.com/threads-of-change