Fort Walton Beach Resolution — 2012-20--2012 CRA Plan Update — reading text

amending the Land Development Code to increase density in the mixed -use zoning districts in the CRA, ( 3) developing a Nuisance Abatement Program to demolish dilapidated housing on a case -by -case basis, ( 4) allowing accessory dwelling units in specified zoning districts, ( 5) considering new and unique partnerships that contribute to increased quality housing stock in the Fort Walton Beach CRA. The goal of the Economic Development component is to achieve economic stability through new and expanded businesses and employment throughout the CRA. Economic stability is the basis for success in the CRA; this makes it vital that objectives and strategies are developed to insure economic growth and development. To create this environment of stability, the CRA must promote business retention, business expansion, and attract new businesses. Strategies to achieve these objectives include: ( 1) implementing a Land Value Investment Program to return previously undesirable property back to the market and on the tax roll, ( 2) implementing a Commercial Revolving Loan Fund to bring in new businesses and help expanding businesses close the gap between conventional financing, (3) creating a targeted infill development list and maintain a database of information needed by prospective developers and businesses ( 4) amending the Land Development Code to streamline permitting procedures and 2012 City of Fort Walton Beach  2012 Community Redevelopment Plan reduce permitting turn- around time for development and redevelopment, ( 5) implementing a Site Development Assistance Grant Program to provide monetary support to existing businesses with major expansion plans, ( 6) conducting annual business surveys, and ( 7) implementing an annual promotional program for the CRA to attract businesses to the area. Three major projects were identified during the development of the 2012 CRA Plan Update that satisfy several redevelopment objectives listed in the Plan, including Transportation, Design Guidelines, Infrastructure, and Economic Development. The first special project includes promoting development and redevelopment along Hollywood Boulevard to create an economic hub along this important corridor that intersects with two state highways: Eglin Parkway and Beal Parkway. The second special project accomplishes completing a pilot project for a Comprehensive Improvement District to implement capital improvement programs, economic incentive programs, etc. in an attempt to gauge the success of various programs. The third special project creates a Brooks Street Facade Improvement Program to improve the appearance of businesses along Brooks Street in an attempt to move the " entrances" of these businesses from Miracle Strip Parkway to Brooks Street. Ongoing Project Maintenance Although not a specific goal, the CRA plan recognizes the importance of continuing maintenance on completed projects. As blight is removed and properties are improved it is essential that these improvements are continually maintained. The plan looks at several areas where this continued maintenance is necessary. These improvements include: ( 1) water and sewer lines, ( 2) stormwater management facilities, ( 3) pavement, ( 4) sidewalk, ( 5) curb and gutter, and ( 6) any public property, facility, or rights-of way located in the CRA district. A continual and effective maintenance program will ensure the continued benefit of the project. The integrated six -goal approach outlined above is designed to address the major factors affecting the Fort Walton Beach CRA presently and over the next five to ten years. Several of the suggested programs and strategies meet more than one objective in more than one category. In summary, all objectives and strategies are intended to provide a solid foundation for stimulating further growth and reinvestment. City of Fort Walton Beach 2012  2012 Community Redevelopment Plan Introduction Contents: History of Fort Walton Beach The Built Environment of the Fort Walton Beach CRA Economic Characterization of the Fort Walton Beach CRA The Need for a CRA Plan Update 1. 1 History of Fort Walton Beach The City of Fort Walton Beach is a seaside community located along the Santa Rosa Sound. Founded in 1937, the City has a " small town" feel with the benefits of an urban community. Bordered by Choetawhatchee Bay and Cinco Bayou to the north and the Santa Rosa Sound to the south, Fort Walton Beach is characterized by several traditional waterfront " neighborhoods and a commercial core. The City is rich with ancient Native „. American history dating back 14, 000 years and boasts several large waterfronts parks. The most significant factor in the - City' s growth was the creation, and later" N s; rFit s rFx( expansion, of what is now Eglin Air Force Base in 1937. With military presence as a key to economic growth, the City enjoyed a substantial population and economic boom from the 1950s through the end of the 1970s. With the new found exposure from the military, the City' s unique beauty and destination location became another key to its success in growth. Local businesses were able to capitalize on the emerging tourism industry. This trend continued strong for several years, and elevated tourism to a level in which it competed with, but never overtook the military as the most important economic factor. These geographic factors, the rich history of the area, and the large military presence in the area created a unique economic environment for the growth of the community; but as with most cities, the explosive growth seemed to leave certain areas vulnerable to neglect and blight. In the late 1960s, and early 1970s, the City began to experience a decline in economic prosperity, some of which can be attributed to the utility and transportation infrastructure getting older and commercial and residential structures becoming deteriorated. New development began to take place in the surrounding communities. The City, having nearly run out of developable land, started to focus attention on finding ways to induce private enterprise investment in the City and thus capturing a greater share of the local and regional market. City of Fort Walton Beach 2012  2012 Community Redevelopment Plan With the passage of the Community Redevelopment Act of 1969, the Florida Legislature acknowledged that older areas of the state needed a means to address these deteriorating conditions and to facilitate economic development in these communities. Under Chapter 163, Part III of the Florida Statutes, local governments are able to designate areas as Community Redevelopment Areas when certain conditions exist. The foresight of the City to establish its first redevelopment area and created the Fort Walton Beach Redevelopment Agency in 1977 that included a " slum and blighted area" located between Beal Parkway and Eglin Parkway and the portion of Downtown, located between Beal Parkway and Brooks Bridge. In 1982, the City Council established a Redevelopment Trust Fund and developed the first Community Redevelopment Plan. This was an important step in protecting property values and removing blight. Only recently has the City experienced a decline in property values resulting in a strain on the local economy. Prior to this most recent decline, the stable economic forces around the City have helped to sustain its prosperity with limited impact from vulnerable market forces and the national economic climate. As the rest of the nation has faced an economic crisis, the Base Realignment and Closure BRAC) initiative allowed Eglin AFB to grow even more in prominence. BRAC assigned the F- 35 fighter program to Eglin AFB and relocated the Ts Special Forces group from Fort Bragg, North Carolina to the local area, which resulted in an influx of thousands of new residents to the area. The Base continues to represent a significant economic impact to Fort Walton Beach and the region. The Air Armament Center at Eglin AFB and Special Operations Command at Hudburt Field continue to make the military the top employer in the region. The Community Redevelopment Area is located within the most historic section of the City and includes portions of two of the City' s waterfronts — Santa Rosa Sound and Choctawhatchee Bay. The initial size of the CRA was 222 acres in 1982, and was expanded to 607 acres in 1998. In 2007, the CRA Plan designated eight ( 8) wmmunity subzones, with each subzone having unique characteristics and issues. Two of these subzones, the Historic Downtown and the Uptown District, have created Merchant Associations to assist with the redevelopment efforts in the CRA. 2012 City of Fort Walton Beach  2012 Community Redevelopment Plan IF r OriginalOriginal CRACRA BoundariesBoundaries ( ( 1982)1982) ExpandedExpanded CRACRA BoundariesBoundaries ( ( 1998)1998) TheThe otherother subzones,subzones, includeinclude thethe CometComet / / CrescentCrescent CircleCircle area,area, BealBeal ParkwayParkway Corridor,Corridor, CentralCentral City,City, Midtown,Midtown, WestWest MiracleMiracle Strip,Strip, andand EastEast BrooksBrooks StreetStreet andand allall consistconsist ofof aa mixturemixture ofof residentialresidential andand commercial commercial developments.developments. TheThe DowntownDowntown ArtsArts& & Entertainment Entertainment DistrictDistrict isis locatedlocated alongalong