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

parkingparking overall, it did validate the perception of poor parking choices. The CRA is currently exploring opportunities for additional parking; however, this activity includes enhanced awareness of current parking options. This activity includes the creation of a downtown public parking map to be placed on a new CRA web site and distributed appropriately. Cost Estimate The cost to produce and maintain a parking map includes staff time, and approximately $ 4, 000 in hard costs for creating and printing the maps. Recommended Activity 10. CRA sponsored festivals and events at the Landing. Category: Area Marketing/ Image 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 CRA sponsorships for events at the Landing throughout the year in order to attract more patrons to the area and promote a positive, active business -friendly image for the CRA. Cost Estimate Varies— from $500 to $4, 000 per event.  75.2ai , Recommended Activity 11. Design and construction of Hollywood Blvd. Streetscape. Category: Street/ building beautification CPA Plan Objective Special Project 1 — Promote Development and Redevelopment Along Achieved: Hollywood Boulevard CRA Plan Strategy See above Achieved: Hollywood Boulevard has the potential to become a hub of economic activity, but is desperately lacking aesthetic improvements. This activity includes various pedestrian and aesthetic improvements to Hollywood Boulevard, including improved/ new sidewalks and/ or pavers, additional landsca ia ecand lighting. Cost Es mat, Staff gathering cost information for this project. Recommended Activity 12. Construction ofnew downtown gateway. Category: Area Marketing/ Image and Street/ Street/ Property Property Beautification CRA Plan Objective Objective 6. 3 Promote Business Retention in the CRA Achieved: CRA Plan Strategy Strategy 6. 3. 5 Implement an annual promotional program and funding Achieved: forfor thethe CRA,CRA, gearedgeared towards towards bringingbringing visitorsvisitors toto thethe areaarea andand areaarea businesses. This activity includes the construction of a downtown " gateway ", which will let thousands of cars a day know they are in beautiful downtown Fort Walton Beach. The gateway would consist of a large sign, landscaping, and hardscaping, and be located in a prominent area along the downtown corridor. The gateway will provide name recognition for downtown Fort Walton, attracting more visitors, and thus, more business activity. In addition, construction of a gateway will convert an underutilized " blighted" property into an appealing landmark for the downtown. Cost Estimate The current cost estimate is approximately 550, 000475,000 for one location. Recommended Activity 13. Install new CRA holiday decorations. Category: StreebProperty Beautification CRA Plan Objective Objective 6. 3 Promote Business Retention in the CRA. Achieved: CRA Plan Strategy Strategy 6. 3. 7 Continue public improvements in the CRA. Achieved: DuringDuring thethe holidayholiday season,season, manymany communitiescommunities areare visitedvisited andand rememberedremembered forfor theirtheir festivitiesfestivities and embellishments. This activity includes upgrading the existing lighting and decorations in order to best accent the Miracle Strip Parkway and Eglin Parkway corridors. Staff has completed the deli cone t and cost estimates. Cost Estimate 20,000 - 30, 000 depending on installation costs.  L"100. Conclusion The CRA Ad -Hoc Advisory Committee was tasked with identifying actions that the City can implement to support development and redevelopment within the CRA, and further the goals and strategies outlined in the 2012 CRA Plan update. The Committee has had several discussions, gathered additional public input, and has created a list of focus areas for the CRA for the next 5 years. Further, the Committee has discussed a set of more specific actions that can be taken to support development and redevelopment, identified in the tables above. Some of these activities are already well on their way to being implemented and staff has begun gathering more information, including cost estimates, for all of the other recommended activities. This report may serve as a guide during each budget development cycle, for staff to evaluate the Committee' s recommendations when developing the annual draft CRA budget for City Council consideration each year.  City Council of Fort Walton Beach qV ENGINEERING & UTILITY SERVICES MEMORANDUM To: Michael D. Beedie, City Manager From: Tim Bolduc, Engineering and Utilities Services Director Date: August 27, 2013 Subject: Approval of CRA Grant Amendment for 36 Eglin Parkway NE L BACKGROUND: 1. 1. On December 13, 2011, Mr. Mark Sitter, P. E. submitted a Matching Streetscape Grant request letter on behalf of the property owner, Dr. Keith Amiel, for streetscape improvements for an existing business located within the CRA at 36 Eglin Parkway NE. The grant request included a new brick paver sidewalk along the road frontage of Eglin Parkway. The request was approved by City Council on March 15, 2012 for a total award of $4, 350. 00. 1. 2. At the time the original streetscape grant request was approved, there was a $ 10, 000 limit for all grant requests and a requirement that all eligible improvements lie within the right -of w - ay. 1. 2. 1. After approval of the original grant request for $4, 350, the applicant completed additional landscaping and streetscape improvements to both Eglin Parkway NE and McGriff Street NE. 1. 2. 2. The applicant did not want to wait until a revised streetscape program was approved to submit an application and complete improvements at his property, and is therefore requesting an amendment to their existing request based on the new streetscape grant program guidelines that were adopted in June 2012. 2. DISCUSSION: 2. 1. On March 8, 2013, the applicant submitted an application to amend the approved amount of the CRA Matching Streetscape Grant award to include additional streetscape improvements that were completed on the property. 2. 1. 1. With the new Streetscape Grant Program guidelines adopted by City Council in June 2012, the applicant requested the improvements be considered under the new guidelines through the March 81h application. 2. 1. 2. The new program removed the cap on improvements opening the application up to additional reimbursement. 2.2. This is the first such request where an application was approved under the original program and a request for an amendment was submitted under the new guidelines. 2. 2. 1. Staff is currently amending the Economic Incentive Program guidelines for all programs and will bring the amended guidelines to City Council in the future. Page 1 of 3  15.3 2.2.2. This request would be a one -time exception due to the fact the improvements occurred over the course of both the original and revised program guidelines. 2. 3. The additional streetscape improvements were completed in accordance with the site plan that was submitted with the original grant approval and complied with the current guidelines for the program. 2. 4. The entire project was completed in late 2012. The additional streetscape improvements that were completed at the property include landscaping, irrigation system installation, sidewalk improvements, and new concrete curbs and driveways. 2. 5. The improvements that are not eligible include parking lot improvements, permit costs, painting, underground electrical work and site design plans. 2. 6. After review of the request against the CRA criteria, Staff has found that the project would be eligible for the amounts listed below through the current CRA Matching Streetscape Grant Program. The improvements are consistent with objectives of the CRA Plan through the consistent use of landscaping, paver colors, style, scale, and material throughout the site. The improvements are also consistent with surrounding Streetscape improvements along Eglin Parkway. 2. 6. 1. The total cost of the improvements is $ 107, 106. 87. 2.6. 2. The total cost eligible under the current Matching Streetscape Grant Program is 56,743. 25. 16.3. The applicant would be eligible for up to 50% of the total eligible project costs, or $28, 371. 63 under the current program. 3. FINANCIAL INFORMATION: 3. 1. In accordance with the CRA Streetscape Grant Manual, if approved, the applicant will be reimbursed for up to 50% of the actual project costs based on submitted cancelled checks and receipts. The reimbursement shall not exceed $ 28, 371. 63 for eligible streetscape improvements. 3. 2. In the FY 2012 -13 CRA budget, a total of $229K was allocated towards Economic Incentive Programs, which has been granted to various developments. The funding for this request is available in CRA Fund Balance in which $ 500K was available for appropriation based on eligibility and on a " first come, first serve basis" for these grants. 4. RECOMMENDATION: 4. L Staff respectfully recommends City Council make a one -time exception to the CRA Matching Streetscape Grant Program process and approve a grant award under the current Matching Streetscape Grant