Final CRA Plan Ready To Improve ‘Blighted’ Area Of Century

May 29, 2018

Finals plans for a Century CRA — Community Redevelopment Agency — are complete.

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 plan is tentatively  scheduled to be presented to the Century Town Council on June 18 with adoption vote for the plan ordinance tentatively planned for July 2.

Community Redevelopment Objectives

  • Enhance quality of life by partnering with public or private, profit or non-profit organizations to develop and implement facilities, programs and services that are based on and support inclusivity, tolerance, and safety in the Century CRA.
  • Promote self-sufficiency and resiliency through partnerships with stakeholders that facilitate instructional opportunities for residents and business owners/entrepreneurs in the Century CRA.
  • Initiate economic development opportunities that are customized to the distinctive attributes and possibilities unique to the Century CRA.
  • Capitalize on the Century CRA’s historic and natural resources to support the area’s unique identity as well as promote a greater sense of neighborhood pride.

Strategies for CRA

  • Invest in public facilities and infrastructure
    • Sewer, stormwater management
    • Transportation;
    • Streetscape and pedestrian features; and
    • Public and community areas.
  • Expand economic development opportunities
    • Improve housing conditions with repair and affordable home ownership opportunities;
    • Highlight historic and natural amenities; and
    • Identify targeted development sites.

Short Term 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

Long-Term Implementation Plan

  • •10-year Action Plan (2018-2028)
    • Builds upon activities and tasks from the short-term 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

NorthEscambia.com file photo.


Comments

2 Responses to “Final CRA Plan Ready To Improve ‘Blighted’ Area Of Century”

  1. Jay on May 29th, 2018 8:09 pm

    The plan makes no sense to me! The whole town is blighted and why draw a line down Highway 29 or Century BLVD. and say one side gets benefits and the other side does not.

  2. Citizen on May 29th, 2018 1:43 pm

    Great work. Thank you Ms Debbie Nickles and Peggy Fowler and others for your work on this CRA.

    I hope the leaders in charge in Century are well aware and capable to continue the process, and that the residents within will take this and continue to improve their own area and lot in life. There is so much potential at this location.

    I think all should continue to push Escambia County, to not give up seeking and pushing for the legal avenue for the foreclosure on Alger Sullivan since they are the only ones with standing in this case.

    To get the Sawmill away from the absent owners and absent mortgage holder and back into the tax rolls, even if the County is the new owner, is critical to the survival of this area and can jump start this CRA into a rejuvenated thriving area rich in historical significance, back into being a jewel of Escambia County.

    Don’t let that fall through the crack. It is very important to some of the citizens in District Five. Century may be its own municipality but we are definitely counting on our Representative at the County level to assist in tha huge part in this endeavor.