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Century CRA Has Collected $58K To Improved ‘Blighted’ Area
June 30, 2022
The Century Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) now has just over $58,000 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. At the council’s next meeting, they are expected to appoint two citizens as additional members of the CRA board.
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 $58,010.10 on May 31, 2022.
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.
Comments
6 Responses to “Century CRA Has Collected $58K To Improved ‘Blighted’ Area”
In response to Century girl’s comments l totally agree.
The town of Century should be keeping the concrete ditches cleaned out that run from Pinewood to Mayo, then Mayo along side the old Century Hospital bldg & ball park and I believe that come out on Jefferson. Wherever there are Concrete ditches, the town of Century built them and if they would keep them clean and free of limbs, trash, and debris it sure would help them do their purpose. The CRA money should not have to used for that as this “should be” a general maintenance item!
Bad drainage problems in ditch from Front ST. To Hecker Rd. 3 – 4 ft. grass and ditch filled in with dirt in spots.Causes ST. to flood and rainwater to run under my house on Pinewood Ave. 2nd ditch with problems runs from Alger RD. Under Railroad tracks to Pinewood Ave. and on to Mayo ST. Main ditch that numerous ditches flow into. Has broken washed out concrete and filled in with dirt in spots. Town please address these issues in Century CRA area.
Yes, please do pave Briggs Blvd, it is in desperate need!
@SMW – Briggs BLVD is not in the area the funds can be used for.
PLEASE pave Briggs BLVD we pay a lot of taxes to not get any help on the back streets!!! Our street is nothing but POTHOLES and rocks from all the patch work that happens!!!