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Century Approves Leases For Non-Profit, Church At $1 Per Month; Town Will Repair A/C
September 21, 2021
The Century Town Council voted Monday night to repair or replace heating and cooling units and move forward with $1 per month leases for a church and a nonprofit at what is known as the Century Business Center on Pond Street.
Leases were prepared for approval for an building (pictured below) at for Northwest Florida Community Outreach (NWFCO) and for a room (pictured above) at the center for Wesley Chapel CME Church.
Under the terms of both leases, HVAC and other maintenance would be the responsibly of the tenant, not the town, due to the low rent. Ratifying the leases was postponed earlier this month after the potential tenants notified the council that the HVAC systems did not work properly.
A tentative evaluation found that some of the units may need to be replaced if repairs are not feasible considering the age of the equipment. If reasonable repairs can be made, the town will use their general fund. If more expensive replacements are required, they will use local option sales tax funds.
Monday night, the Century Council voted 3-0 to approve a five year lease for the Northwest Florida Community Outreach and a two-year lease for Wesley Chapel. Both will pay for any future upkeep and their monthly utility bills.
NWFCO is a nonprofit that has held several food giveaways and other public benefit events over the last year in Century.
Wesley Chapel CME Church has held church services at the Business Center for several years, but without a lease. The church’s Jefferson Street location was heavily damaged — shifted off its foundation — by the February 2016 tornado that ripped through Century. The remains of the building were reduced to rubble after an arsonist set fire to it in October 2016.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
13 Responses to “Century Approves Leases For Non-Profit, Church At $1 Per Month; Town Will Repair A/C”
WHY NOT LET SOME CHURCH OR A NON-PROFIT USE IT. THE TOC GAVE MONEY AWAY TO SOME OF THERE TOWN COUNCIL, SO WHY NOT A CHURCH OR NON-PROFIT HAVE SOME USE OF THE BUILDING
Not sure why the town is paying for repairs out of the general fund. This bldg was made into a business incubator years ago……they should have received a grant or something for it. Who keeps track of these things?
Just to be fair, I’m willing to rent an installed working central air unit for not one but TWO dollars monthly AND I’m willing to pay FIVE YEARS, that’s $120, in advance, as long as the fine people of Century will toss in a maintenance warranty. Now, I know you folks up there drive a hard bargain that’s why I’m coming at you fair and square.
The citizens of Century should be up in arms about the Town subsidizing any church. How can you not call it a subsidy when they are getting free rent? This is at least unethical, and probably illegal.
“have them occupied and maintained.” yes at the expense of the town, not the tenant. Explain to me how this benefits Century in any way.
No wonder Century is having such financial problems! If it wasn’t a church people would be outraged that the county is dumping money into a building then leasing it for $1 a month. It’s just ridiculous business practices. They need to manage the city better
I thought Century had financial problems. I don’t see how accepting token payments for rent can help, especially since Century will be paying to repair the A/C . Also, it does not seem tax dollars should be used to keep any religious organization housed.
Atheist church wants to rent a room.. Gotta be fair you know. Federal law. Contact 666-SATAN.
Seriously people? Let’s say it’s $3,000 to replace an A/C unit. Rent will pay it off in just 250 years! Good business there.
BTW, can I get one of those loans to pay that $1 a month rent?
If I run my rental houses like Century leases, i would have to declare as a NONPROFIT. Century surely wont ever break even.
Great support to non-profit organizations, yet the ability to retain the buildings and have them occupied and maintained. Way to go, City of Century!
Really great arrangement, just not for Century.
Free rent and maintenance? Do you have anything else available?
This seems like support of religion using taxpayer funds. It seems that this should be illegal.