Spring 2014 Mayor’s Award of Excellence Winners
By 
Local property owners Peter Monroe and Melissa Haist were honored as the Mayor’s Award of Excellence winners for Spring 2014 during the Safety Harbor City Commission meeting on Monday night.
Monroe, who is the receiver for the Northwood Commons shopping plaza, and Haist, who opened the Tupelo on 4th boutique downtown earlier this year, both received large signs to place on their properties, signifying their commitment to beautifying the community.
As the pair stood at the City Hall dais, Mayor Andy Steingold read a summary of the accomplishments that earned them their awards.
“Peter Monroe…has tirelessly worked towards not only improving the physical appearance and economic stability of Northwood Commons, but also the environmental impact of the shopping plaza in a developed setting,” the mayor read from a proclamation.
“This project is an example of how the goods and services that are part of a community can work within a sensitive Florida environment and even promote the wildlife ecology around it.”
Mayor Steingold went on to explain how Monroe worked with SWIFTMUD, environmentalists and tenants of the plaza, specifically Wild Birds Unlimited, to improve and showcase the natural habitat as well as the businesses located on the property.
Following the feting of Monroe, it was Haist’s turn.
“Melissa Haist has transformed the vacant, small circa 1920 bungalow at 135 Fourth Avenue North behind our downtown John Wilson Park Gazebo into a thriving boutique,” the mayor read from a proclamation.
“This property lay vacant for some time due to the overlooked condition of the bungalow,” he added. “Melissa completely renovated the little yellow bungalow inside and out to transform it into a retail space that speaks to the creative small-town charm and character that is greatly valued in our downtown area.”
After receiving their signs and taking photos with the mayor, Monroe and Haist spoke briefly about receiving the award.
“All I can say is thank you, thank you very much,” Haist, an artist who helped create the mosaics at Mullet Creek Park, said. “It’s an honor to be in Safety Harbor. I’m loving every minute of it, and I’m excited to grow here in Safety Harbor.”
“It was a privilege to first, 29 years ago, develop Northwood Commons, and I’m probably the only person you’ll ever meet in your life who was then appointed by a court to come back and fix it,” Monroe said of his history with the plaza located at the southeast corner of McMullen Booth and Enterprise Roads.
“I was able to get a few things right that I got wrong the first time,” he added, to much applause and laughter.
Melissa, your shop is truly deserving. I saw it when it was the little yellow house and I loved it then – but now … wow! Congratulations to Peter as well.
Way to go Peter! I remember managing that shopping center in the 90’s! We actually had a bob cat that lived along the creek.
Melissa – you have done a marvelous job and I love your shop!