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Citizens Preview CRA Draft Plan To Improve ‘Blighted’ Area Of Century

The Town of Century will hold a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting Tuesday to “Envision Century”, with resident getting a first look at the draft plan.

Highlights of the CRA draft presented Tuesday night are as follows:

Community Redevelopment Objectives

• Preserve/improve residential quality of life
• Recognize, protect and utilize natural assets
• Identify and install desired community facilities, services and amenities
• Capitalize on Historic District and natural resource-based opportunities.

Strategies for CRA

• Invest in public facilities and infrastructure
  • Sewer, stormwater management, transportation;
  • Streetscape and pedestrian features; and
  • Public and community areas.
• Expand development opportunities
  • Aggregate or assemble parcels where feasible;
  • Develop master stormwater plan; and
  • Identify targeted development sites.

CRA Implementation Plan

• 2-year Action Plan (2018-2020)
  • Activities and tasks that are smaller, incremental and set the foundation for encouraging long-term private investment in the CRA
  • Funding Resources: primarily town, county, regional agencies, and non-profit organizations
• 10-year Action Plan (2018-2028)
  • Builds upon activities and tasks from the 2-year action plan and begins to implement the more costly capital improvements and services that require utilization of revenues to leverage TIF funds
  • Funding Resources: primarily regional and state agencies, and large grant organizations

Local Funding Sources

• CRA Tax Increment Fund (TIF);
• Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP); and
• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).

Concept Plan

• Identifies potential sites/areas for:
• Parks or expansion of parks;
• Community center or public open areas;
• Sidewalk & bicycle facilities;
• Gateway beautification;
• Redevelopment opportunities, etc.

The town previously declared a portion of Century as “blighted” as part of the process to form the CRA.

Once the CRA is in place and operating, it will work to improve conditions within the area. As property tax values rise, most of the increase is funneled back into the redevelopment area for further improvements.

The CRA area is 510 acres, bounded by Jefferson Avenue to the south, Jefferson Avenue to the east, East High 4 to the north and the center line of North Century Boulevard to the west. It also extends north on the east side of North Century Boulevard to include commercial properties up to, and including, the former Burger King. Click here for a detailed map (pdf).

The final plan will be presented during a community meeting on Thursday, May 24.

NorthEscambia.com file photo.