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Century CRA Has Collected $92K From ‘Blighted’ Area To Fund Improvements

The Century Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) now has just over $92,000 in the bank and will soon begin to consider potential projects to improve blighted areas of the town.

The five members of the Century Town Council currently sit as the CRA board. The town website indicates the CRA board will meet quarterly, but Tuesday evening’s meeting was the first this calendar year.

In October 2018, the council approved a Tax Increment Financing plan for their redevelopment area, allowing 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” in 2018, with that amount of tax revenue generated still designated for the town’s general fund, the county and other taxing authorities.

The redevelopment area receives  95 percent of the property tax generated in excess of the frozen base value as property values rise. Along with small interest earnings, CRA had a balance of $92,177.72 on July 31, 2023. To date, the CRA has only spent small amounts on required reports and paperwork — nothing on improving the area.

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 (see map below).

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 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.

Pictured: The Century CRA held a workshop meeting this week. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge. Pictured below: The Century CRA boundary map, click to enlarge.