Century CRA Reemerges with $191K Balance For Blighted Area; First Meeting in Years Held
February 19, 2026
The Century Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) now has $191,151.89 in the bank and will soon begin to consider how potential projects can improve blighted areas of the town.
The five members of the Century Town Council and one citizen currently sit as the CRA board, which is expected to meet quarterly. However, a meeting this week was the first in years, and financial information has not been published since the 2021-2022 operating year.
Eric Christianson, a planner for the Emerald Coast Regional Council, met with the CRA board this week for a presentation on what the CRA is and how the agency can work to improve a portion of the town.
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% of the property tax generated in excess of the frozen base value as property values rise. Along with small interest earnings, the CRA has spent nothing on improving the area to date, as far as we know from financial reports that were last published nearly three years ago.
The CRA funds can 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.
This week, the CRA board set future meetings for 5:30 p.m., before regular 6:15 council meetings, on March 2, June 23, September 15, and November 17. The board is expected to receive current financial details at the March 2 meeting.
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.
Warm 80s The Few Days, But A Winter Chill Will Return
February 19, 2026
A warm stretch is set to peak as temperatures climb into the lower 80s through Friday, but a significant shift is on the horizon. Gusty winds and increasing moisture will bring a round of showers and thunderstorms Friday and Saturday before a strong cold front arrives. By Sunday, conditions will turn sharply cooler and breezy, leading into a clear Monday with temperatures dropping below freezing.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after midnight. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 67. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Friday: Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 3pm. Patchy fog before 7am. Otherwise, cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Patchy fog after 9pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Patchy fog before 7am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming north after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 58. Breezy, with a north wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35. North wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 53.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 29.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 56.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 69.