Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 08-27-13--regular — reading text

be finalized at its last meeting, which recommends and ranks projects and programs to be accomplished within the CRA, and which discusses the estimated cost and benefits of each project. The Committee shall gather input from businesses and residents within the CRA in order to develop and finalize their recommendations." After much discussion, the committee ultimately agreed that the CRA should focus on five primary categories: Business growth Beautification Pedestrian safety Marketing Parking Committee Recommendations The committee held a public workshop in February 2013 in order to gain more feedback from area residents and businesses. Over 30 people attended the meeting. The workshop attendees were asked to rank CRA topics in order of importance. The results of the surveys are shown in Table 1 below. ` Beautification" ranked as the most important category and " Business growth/ retention" ranked as the second most important category.  15.2. a The public also ranked specific activities in order of importance, as shown in Table 2. After discussing and evaluating each category, the committee began identifying more specific focus areas within each category. As a result, the committee identified 13 different activities to that fell within the identified categories and which achieve the goals and objectives of the CRA Plan. The committee prioritized these projects based on citizen input and how well each project contributed to the adopted CRA Plan goals. The results of the committee project priority ranking sheet are shown in Table 3 below.  15.2.a The Committee has continually expressed concern over the need for pedestrian safety and friendliness improvements in the CRA, which is conveyed in their rankings. Other top concerns that were expressed include more parking and continual beautification of the area. The activities listed below are brief descriptions of the recommended activities that the Committee discussed during their tenure. Recommended Activity 1. Continue pedestrian crossing improvements. Category: Pedestrian Safety/ Friendliness CPA Plan Objective Objective 33. Continue to Promote Walkable Areas Throughout the CPA Achieved: Through the Installation of Pedestrian- Friendly Features CRA Plan Strategy Strategy 3. 3. 3. Improve pedestrian crossings in the CRA. Achieved: Without adequate crosswalks, walking may be unsafe in certain areas. This activity includes a recommendation to continue with the pedestrian crossing improvements on Miracle Strip Pkwy in downtown and to begin inventorying other areas in the CPA which may need pedestrian crossing upgrades or im rovements. Estimated Cost: The estimated cost of this project is approximately $281, 000, including planning, design, and construction ( construction includes the US Highway 98 improvements downtown only). Recommended Activity 2. Continue public parking improvements. Category: Parking CPA Plan Objective Objective 3. 5. Ensure the Availability of Adequate and Accessible Achieved: Parking in the CPA CPA Plan Strategy Strategy 3. 5. 1 and 3. 5. 2 - Consider acquiring new property or entering Achieved: intointo publicpublic - - privateprivate partnershipspartnerships toto addadd additionaladditional parkingparking spacesspaces wherewhere needed most; consider adding parking lot improvements, where needed Packet Pp• ii , „.  to Parking in the CRA, specifically downtown, is neither well -placed nor well -known. In order to attract patrons to the area to foster redevelopment and revitalization in the CRA, there must be places to park. This recommendation includes continuing to explore ways in which to add new parking spaces where possible, improve existing parking areas, and to improve the visibility of existing parking options, and to fund projects which are feasible and . Staff is currently exploring options for additional and improved public oarkina. Eshma[ ed Cost: Costs can range from $ 20, 000 for minor improvements to existing parking to $ 500, 000 or more if property acquisition and/ or major improvements are needed. Recommended Activity 3. Construction of Downtown Streetscape Phase II. Category: treet/ building beautification CPA Plan Objective Objective 3. 3. Continue to Promote Walkable Areas Throughout the CRA Achieved: Through the Installation of Pedestrian- Friendly Features CPA Plan Strategy Strategy 3. 3. 5. Continue a streetscape program to enhance walkability. Achieved: Pedestrian scaled lighting, street furniture, and pavers all enhance the walkable environment and rovide an area for pedestrian activity near local businesses. Cost Estimate 260, 000 Recommended Activity 4. Evaluate and install more and better streetlights and public parking lot lights in the CRA. Category: Pedestrian Safety/ Friendliness CRA Plan Objective Objective 3. 5 Ensure the Availability of Adequate and Accessible Achieved: Puking in the CPA CRA Plan Strategy Strategy 3. 5. 2. Consider adding parking lot improvements, where needed Achieved: most, to existing public property. Adequate lighting is both a pedestrian safety feature and a parking issue. Adequate lighting is needed to ensure the safety of patron using public sidewalks and parking lots, and adds to the walkabilit of an environment. Cost Estimate Approximately $ 30,000 for lighting upgrades at Point parking lot; varies from $ 14, 000 to $ 140, 000 for other areas within the CRA. Recommended Activity 5. Continue to allocate funding for the current business grant programs. Category: Business Growth/ Expansion CRA Plan Objective Objective 1. 2 Help Landowners Increase their Property Values. Achieved:  15.28; CRA Plan Strategy Strategy 1. 2. 1 Implement a CRA Fapade Improvement matching grant. Achieved: Strategy 6. 2. 1 Create a site development assistance business expansion grant. The business grant programs the CRA currently has in place have been very successful, allowing businesses to move in with little to no permitting fees and cash assistance with new business signage and fapade. Feedback received by staff and at the committee meetings indicates that the programs are helping businesses grow and expand, and are highly desirable. Cost Estimate Approximately $220, 000 was budgeted for the programs in FY 2012- 2013, and $ 500, 000 was budget in FY 2011 - 12. Approximately 182, 000 in award funding has been approved to date, resulting in a total private investment of about $ 1, 591, 466. Recommended Activity 6. Develop and install themed pedestrian signage. Category: Pedestrian Safety/ Friendliness CRA Plan Objective Objective 3. 3 Continue to Promote Walkable Areas Throughout the CRA Achieved: Through the Installation of Pedestrian- Friendly Features CRA Plan Strategy Strategy 3. 3. 2. Improve pedestrian signage and signals in the CRA. Achieved: Pedestrian scaled wayfinding signage helps promote a community' s character and directs patrons to shops, dining, and parking, which promotes more activity in the CRA district. However, signage must be planned and designed accordingly or it can create more confusion and clutter. Cost Estimate Planning and design— currently unknown. Construction— approximately 15, 000 to $ 70,000 depending on the type and amount of signage. Recommended Activity 7. Continue annual sidewalk program. Category: Pedestrian Safety/ Friendliness CRA Plan Objective Objective 3. 3 Continue to Promote Walkable Areas Throughout the CRA Achieved: Through the Installation of Pedestrian- Friendly Features CRA Plan Strategy Strategy 3. 3. 1. Continue to budget for and construct sidewalks Achieved: throughout throughout thethe CRA.CRA. A network of pedestrian connections is an important aspect to fostering an active CRA environment. Patrons enjoy being outdoors and enjoy being able to walk from residential areas to shops and dining and public areas. This activity includes constructing sidewalks in order to connect those areas via a complete pedestrian network. Staff is currently developing a priority list of streets in need of sidewalks. CostCost EstimateEstimate Sidewalk segments typically cost between $ 16, 000 and $ 70, 000 a street to construct depending on the length and site design features. The CRA budgeted $ 75, 000 for sidewalks in 2011 -2012 and constructed several segments that year.  Y5.2. a Recommended Activity 8. Improvements at the Fort Walton Landing Park- Update to the Fort Walton Landing Master Plan. Category: Area Marketin Ima e CRA Plan Objective Objective 6. 3 Promote Business Retention in the CRA. Achieved: CRA Plan Strategy Strategy 6. 3. 6 Implement a program to provide weekend rentals at the Achieved: Fort Walton Landing for farmer' s markets, festivals, etc. to bring new crowds of customers to the area. This activity includes a review and update to the Fort Walton Landing Master Plan that was adopted in 2004, as well as implementation of several upgrades to the Landing, including an improved stage area to accommodate larger bands, and hardier decking that will last longer against the elements. This activity is intended to accommodate many festivals and events throughout the entire year, drawing bigger crowds to the CRA. Cost Estimate The cost of the improvements vary greatly —staff is currently gathering cost information for elements of this activity. Recommended Activity 9. Develop, distribute, and maintain a downtown parking map. Category: Parkin CRA Plan Objective Objective 3. 5 Ensure the Availability of Adequate and Accessible Achieved: ParkingParking inin thethe CRACRA CRA Plan Strategy Strategy 3. 5. 3 Improve visibility ofpublic parking through highly visible Achieved: si na e. EvenEven thoughthough thethe 20072007 ParkingParking FacilitiesFacilities StudyStudy concludedconcluded thatthat therethere isis notnot aa deficitdeficit ofof