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

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.

FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts: Highway 29 And Other Delays

Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties this week as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.  

Escambia County:

• State Road (S.R.) 750 (Airport Boulevard) from S.R. 291 (Davis Highway) to S.R. 289 (9th Avenue) – Intermittent eastbound lane closure near Davis Highway from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews install guardrail.
• U.S. 29 Widening from I-10 to U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road)- Drivers traveling U.S. 29 and Nine Mile Road will encounter traffic pattern changes from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 29 through Saturday, June 2 as follows:
  • Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass: North and southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new center bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
  • U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drivers may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations. U.S. 29 lane restrictions are Monday through Saturday.
• U.S. 29 Resurfacing between U.S. 90 and Muscogee Road - Alternating lane closures on U.S. 29 north and southbound, from Muscogee Road to West 9 ½ Mile Road, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 29 through Thursday, May 31 as crews pave the roadway.

·         I-10 / U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I- The following traffic impacts are planned on I-10 and U.S. 29 near the interchange (Exits 10) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 29 through Friday, June 1:

• • Alternating lane closures on I-10 east and westbound and U.S. 29 north and southbound.
  • The U.S. 29 on-ramps to I-10 eastbound will be intermittently closed. Traffic will be detoured on U.S. 29 to access I-10 eastbound.
  • Alternating lane closures on the I-10 westbound exit ramp to U.S. 29 north and south (Exit 10).

·         U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Alternating east and westbound lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, May 29 through Thursday, May 31 as crews perform construction activities.

·         U.S. 98 (Lillian Highway) Resurfacing from Perdido Bay Bridge to Dogtrack Road – Construction activities are underway.  Lane restrictions may take place from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 29 through Thursday, May 31.

·         U.S. 90 (Mobile Highway) Intersection improvement at County Road (C.R.) 99 (Beulah Road)- Work to improve the intersection of State Road 10A (Mobile Highway) at Beulah Road in Escambia County is scheduled to begin the week of Monday, May 21. To help minimize traffic impacts, much of the construction work will take place behind a low-profile concrete barrier wall. No lane closures will be allowed Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.  In addition, no lane closures will be scheduled during special school events.

Santa Rosa County:

• U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Alternating east and westbound lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, May 29 through Thursday, May 31 as crews perform construction activities.
• U.S. 98 Turn Lane Construction at Joybrook Road in Navarre- Drivers will encounter intermittent and alternating lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, May 29 through Thursday, May 31 as crews pave turn and travel lanes at the intersection.
• S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to Hickory Hammock Road – Intermittent lane shifts from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.  the week of Tuesday, May 29 on S.R. 87 north and southbound between Eglin Air Force Base boundary and two miles south of the Yellow River.  Crews will be paving in the area. Additionally, traffic between C.R. 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) and the Eglin AFB boundary is restricted to loads less than 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place until the project is complete.
• I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) – Alternating lane closures on I-10, from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22), from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 29 through June 1 as crews work to widen the roadway.  In addition, alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard, near the I-10 interchange, will also be encountered as crews reconstruct the travel lanes.
• U.S. 98 at Sunrise Drive Lane Closure- East and westbound traffic on U.S. 98 at Sunrise Drive will encounter lane restrictions from 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 30 to 5 a.m. Thursday, May 31 as crews install crosswalk pavement markings.

All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway..

Pictured: A look at the Pensacola Bay Bridge construction as seen on Sunday. NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.

Woman Charged With DUI In Highway 97 Crash

A woman has been arrested in connection with an early morning crash Monday on Highway 97.

Connie Mae Henderson, 63, was charged with DUI with property damage. She was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

About 1:10 a.m., Henderson was northbound on Highway 97 just north of Tungoil Road when she ran off the roadway, struck a power pole and continued through a ditch. She refused medical transport after the crash.

The pole was broken off near ground level, downing power lines. Escambia River Electric reported 52 customers lost power following the crash.

The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded, along with the Florida Highway Patrol.

Pictured top and bottom: NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule

Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings this week:

Tuesday, May 29

Extension Council – 5:30 p.m., Escambia County Extension Services, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment

FDOT State Road 30 (U.S. 98/Navy Boulevard) Public Hearing - 5:30 p.m., Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto St.

Wednesday, May 30

Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place,

Tropical Town Hall – 6:30 p.m., Escambia County Public Safety, 6575 N. “W” St.

NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Risings Gas Prices Expected To Reverse Course

Motorist in Florida should soon catch a break from rising gas prices, according to AAA.

Gas prices in Florida increased eight cents during the past week. The state average on Memorial Day was $2.91 – the most expensive for the holiday since 2014, when the average price was $3.62.

The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $2.89 on Monday.

“This news couldn’t come at a better time, as motorists roll into the summer driving season,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA. “The drop in crude should amount to a discount of at least 10 cents at the pump, in the short term. Yet that will not happen overnight. Retailers are usually slow to lower prices, especially those who bought shipments of gasoline when prices were at a premium.”

Florida motorists are paying 60 cents more per gallon than a year ago. It now costs $44 to fill an average size tank of gasoline – an increase of nearly $10 from this time last year.

Bratt Elementary K-4 Awards

Bratt Elementary School presented the following year-end awards to students in grades K-

Honor Roll (A’s and B’s all year)

• Lauren Abbott
• Shane Alexander
• Claire Amerson
• Tyler Amerson
• Eli Anthony
• Eric Anthony
• Wade Bailey
• Montgomery Baker
• Sadie Baker
• Izzy Barber
• Bailey Blackwell
• Gabrielle Boatwright
• Abigail Brown
• Nevaeh Bush
• Jaxon Byrd
• Jack Carpenter
• Luke Chavers
• Addison Classen
• William Classen
• Payton Coon
• Tristan Crumm
• Harmony Cruz
• Caley Daharsh
• Jamarreai Davison
• Aakira Davis
• Crimson Davis
• Kylar Davis
• Jordan Dawson
• Jacob Dove
• O’Neshia Dubose
• Annberly Dunn
• Carson Eady
• Nolan Eady
• Brayden Faircloth
• Kintley Flowers
• Pryce Flowers
• Zachary Flowers
• Josyah Fontenot
• Parker Ganey
• Nathan Gilmore
• Hayden Gipson
• J.C. Glenn
• Cate Greenwood
• Talise Gregson
• Emmalee Grimes
• Laila Hadley
• Joseph Hardenbrook
• Will Heard
• Autumn Heist
• LanDon Johnson
• Tristan Johnson
• Reese Jones
• Anabella Keen
• Dallas Kelson
• Lane Lisenby
• Savannah Lowry
• Parker Marsh
• Samantha Minchew
• Briley Moore
• Carley Moore
• Jonathan Patrick
• Layla Pettway
• Mya Pettway
• Madalynn Pittman
• Makayla Plato
• Kain Pompa
• Keylashia Randle
• Brooklyn Reynolds
• Madison Rice
• Christian Roberts
• Anna Sanspree
• Caden Sanspree
• Braylan Shelly
• Miles Smith
• Lani Steadham
• Adalynn Southard
• Wyatt Spence
• Maggie Stewart
• Cassie Stilwell
• Jake Taylor
• Buster Thompson
• Kameron Thompson
• Raleigh Warr
• Kinley White
• Mi’kavion White
• Cobie Wiggins

Academic Achievement Award ( All A’s all year)

• Landon Allcock
• Alexis Amerson
• Desiray Bagweell
• Alexa Beasley
• Jackson Bridges
• Amara Campbell
• Christian Caraway
• Addison Carpenter
• Logan Diller
• Aubrey Flowers
• Olivia Garrett
• Sawyer Gilmore
• Sophia Ikner
• Brody Hall
• Kyndal Hadley
• Mason Helton
• Camden Jacobson
• Maybree Johnson
• Presley Johnson
• Kylee Langham
• Kaylee Long
• Mikayla McAnally
• Tyler McAnally
• Noah Luker
• Hunter Parker
• Dakota Richardson
• Makinzi Roley
• Jackson Simmons
• Avery Stuckey
• Kaylee Wilson

Progress Award (Most improvement during the year)

• Presley Amos
• Margaret Baker
• Landon Barlow
• Korben Bell
• Waylon Bell
• Teagen Black
• Rex Brown
• Jamarious Burt
• Jack Carpenter
• Jamaris Durant
• Evelyn Esparza
• Jakari Evans
• Cameron Gipson
• Michael Griffis
• Alexa Hardy
• Tucker Hare
• Emma Holder
• Fallon Hubbard
• Jessica Jowers
• Wesley Lambeth
• Ruby Lovely
• Adalynn Lowery
• Ava McCann
• Mya McCants
• Keira McDuffie
• Brylynn McGhee
• Niyah McGhee
• Cameron Moore
• Aydin Odom
• James Patrick
• Reagan Peebles
• Isabella Sanspree
• Emma Southard
• Reece Starns
• Jamileon Syria
• Tikiya Syria
• X’zavion Williams

Outstanding Attendance (5 or less check in/out or absences)

• Lauren Abbott
• Claire Amerson
• Amara Campbell
• Christian Caraway
• Luke Chavers
• Zakhel Clemmons
• Talaysha Curry
• Lucas Daniel
• Kylar Davis
• Annberly Dunn
• Blake Faith
• Averie Fleming
• Sawyer Gilmore
• John Griffis
• Michael Griffis
• Lori Hall
• Cade Hare
• Tucker Hare
• Will Heard
• Jackson Helton
• Mason Helton
• Taegan Hughes
• Emily Jarvis
• Jessica Jowers
• Keeli Knighten
• Kylee Langham
• Emily Long
• Wyatt Mooney
• Hunter Parker
• James Patrick
• Jonathan Patrick
• Kain Pompa
• Mikayla Ray
• Makinzi Roley
• Anniston Salter
• Michael Singleton
• Wyatt Swearingen
• Jeremy Thomas
• Kimmora Thomas
• Landon Watson
• Summer Weaver
• Mi’kavion White
• Jason Wiggins

Sons of the American Revolution Citizenship

• Lauren Abbott
• Desiray Bagwell
• Jackson Bridges
• Luke Chavers
• Landon Johnson
• Reagan Peebles
• Jackson Simmons
• Maggie Stewart

Gonzalez Convenience Store Robbed At Gunpoint

A Highway 29 convenience store in Gonzalez was robbed at gunpoint Monday afternoon.

Surveillance video  shows the suspect enter the Speed Mart at Tate School Road wearing a black hoodie, black pants with a red and white design, sunglasses and a white mask.. The suspect pulls a handgun on the clerk and demands money. During the robbery, another customer starts to enter the store but quickly retreats when the suspects turns the gun on him.

The suspect fled the store on foot and was seen at an apartment complex near Batson Lane and Pauline Street, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.

Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620, Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.

Pictured above and below: Images from an armed robbery Monday afternoon at the Speed Mart on Highway. Pictured bottom: NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.

Early Morning Fire Destroys Home In Beulah

Fire destroyed a home early Monday morning in Beulah.

The fire was reported about 1 a.m. on Tower Ridge Road near Frank Reeder Road. There was no immediate report of any injuries.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.

The Beulah, Bellview, Ensley, Ferry Pass and Osceola Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded to the blaze.

NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.

North Escambia Memorials Honor Those That Served

People across North Escambia and the country paused Monday to remember the brave men and women that have served our country as we celebrated Memorial Day.

In North Escambia, there are several memorials that honor those that have served in the military:

Walnut Hill Veterans Wall of Honor

The largest such memorial in the North Escambia area, the Veteran’s Honor Wall has stood in front of the Walnut Hill Community Center since its dedication in 2003. There are nearly 300 names on the wall, including  names of just over a dozen soldiers killed in action. The wall honors those from the Walnut Hill area that have served in the nation’s military.

The Walnut Hill Ruritan Club began planning the wall in late 2001, and they decided that it would be a community project at no cost to the veterans listed.

Billy R. Ward began to engrave the names with an antique machine the club purchased off the internet, and there were 220 names on the wall when it was dedicated in 2003. He spent a lot of time on the project, even visiting the Wall South Memorial in Pensacola to get an idea what size the letters on the plaques should be.

On the Walnut Hill Veteran’s Honor Wall, everyone is equal. It was decided that no service rank would be include on the name plaques, just the branch and years of service.

It is estimated that about one-fourth of the veterans listed on the wall are now deceased.

The Walnut Hill Veteran’s Wall is located in front of the community center at 7850 Highway 97.

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LCpl Travis M. Nelson Park

The LCpl Travis M. Nelson Park was dedicated in Bratt on November 8, 2011, in honor of the local Marine killed in action in August 2011 in  Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. It was just two weeks after his 19th birthday and only about a month after he arrived in Afghanistan.

The park features a memorial in Nelson’s honor. It is located on West Highway 4, just west of Northview High School.

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Atmore Veterans Memorial

The Veterans Memorial in Atmore stands proudly on the lawn of the Atmore City Hall to pay tribute to those have served from around Atmore and North Escambia. Names of the fallen are on the spire, while commemorative bricks around the base of the spire name those that have served in the military past and present.

Those honored on the bricks date back to the Revolutionary War with a brick with the name of Benjamin Sasser, 1755-1840. His relative, Federick Sasser, 1794-1846, is also honored for his service in the War of 1812.

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Barrineau Park Wall of Honor

The Wall of Honor inside the Barrineau Park Community Center  honors scores of area residents  that have served in the military. The wall was a project of the Barrineau Park Historical Society. (Pictured above.)

Century Veterans Wall of Honor

About four dozen of those that served from the Century area are honored on the Century Veterans Wall of Honor at Century’s Roadside Park on Highway 29. The memorial was dedicated on July 4, 2008. (Pictured below.)

The Century Veterans Wall of Honor is located in the Nadine McCaw Park at the corner of North Century Boulevard (Highway 29) and Hecker Road.

NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.

Democratic Effort To Hold Special Session Falls Short

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