Century Redevelopment Area Seeks Attorney, Executive Director

February 6, 2019

The Century Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) met this week and moved forward toward having an executive director and attorney in place.

The board voted to pursue an interlocal agreement with Escambia County to provide an executive director and to seek letters of intent for an attorney. The Century CRA boad will also entertain an interlocal agreement and memorandum of understanding with the Town of Century for staff services.

In October, the council approved a Tax Increment Financing plan for their redevelopment area, allowed the CRA to receive property tax revenues each year in excess of an established base rate. The appraised value of the property within the designated district was “frozen”this year, with that amount of tax revenue generated still designated for the town’s general fund, the county and other taxing authorities.

The redevelopment area will receive 95 percent of the property tax generated in excess of the frozen base value as property values rise. It is estimated that will amount to about $10,000 the first year for the beginning in 2020.

The CRA funds will be used to improve conditions in the 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.

The CRA received no funding during the October 1, 2017, to September 30, 2018, fiscal year because the base year for tax increment financing was established in 2018. The CRA will see its first redevelopment trust fund money next fiscal year.

Tax Increment Financing is a unique tool available to cities and counties for redevelopment activities. It is used to leverage public funds to promote private sector activities in the targeted redevelopment area. Property owners in the CRA will pay the same tax rate as those in the remainder of the town.

TIF revenue can be used on a “pay as you go” basis, where the annual stream of revenue is used to fund small projects, or used to pay debt service costs over the life of a project lasting 10 or more years. Historically in Florida, TIF has been effective at generating large amounts of funding for capital investments for roadway improvements, flood control programs, water and sewer and drainage infrastructure improvements, parking lots and garages, neighborhood parks, sidewalks, street and sidewalk tree plantings, signs and building construction.

After a February 2016 tornado damaged or destroyed 40 homes and businesses, the town looked to address the long-term effects on the community of a downturn in economic development. That led to the redevelopment area.

The CRA plan sets a roadmap for future development and spending to eliminate existing conditions of blight and to encourage continued private investment. The plan also provides a framework for coordinating and facilitating public and private redevelopment within the area.

Review the Century CRA plan by clicking here.

NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Comments

2 Responses to “Century Redevelopment Area Seeks Attorney, Executive Director”

  1. Mq on February 6th, 2019 9:44 pm

    They have been trying to eliminate blight since I’ve been sown here. And that has been almost 20 years. Doesn’t seem like they are having much success

  2. chris on February 6th, 2019 9:40 am

    Good Luck!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News