Freedom Road Bridge at top of the list
The Freedom Road Bridge in Century may be repaired sooner than later following a public hearing and the council’s approval Tuesday night for grant writer and administrator Robin Phillips to submit an application for two projects, one that will qualify Freedom Road Bridge to be replaced, and one that would establish a shelter in Century with the town matching funds of $7,500 for each.
The grants are available through the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) for Small Cities Hurricane Sally Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Funding and communities in Escambia (Fla.) and Santa Rosa Counties are submitting many projects.
Phillips worked to find qualifying projects and found two that will qualify: renovating or rebuilding a building in the town to be used primarily as a shelter; and drainage improvements for the bridge, which has been closed for almost four years.
Phillips said the drainage improvements project includes the replacement of the bridge on Freedom Road and various improvements to the drainage system at Jefferson Avenue/Freedom Road and Freedom Road Bridge and Alger Road Bridge. Phillips said both of these areas experienced embankment erosion during Hurricane Sally, which added to the increased instability of the two bridges.
She said the estimated total cost will be $2,862,137. The breakdown of costs is $2,402,941 for construction; $324,196 for engineering, surveying and inspection and $135,000 for administration.
The council talked about utilizing the old Century High School gym as a shelter, but Phillips said an architect she had walk through as a favor and he said there was a lot of damage and the building contained lead and asbestos. He recommended it may need to be torn down and replaced instead of renovated, if they decided to use it. Also, Pensacola State College owns then property it sits on, so PSC would have to be a co-applicant for the grant if the town is not able to take ownership.
She said the estimated total cost is $10,015,000. The breakdown of costs is $9,148,000 for construction; $717,000 for engineering, architecture, interior, landscaping design and $150,000 for administration.
Phillips told the council they may vote to contribute matching funds to one or both of the project, which adds five points to their submissions. They must commit some amount, as little as $1, to show it is has a financial vested interest in the project.
Phillips said she spoke to county officials and was told that Century does not really need a shelter, because the county is already bussing people who need shelter to Northview High School, where the county has a shelter, so there may be support for that project. She said the town would have to have a meeting with the county further to make an argument.
Second, she pointed out if the town wanted to lease the Century High School old gym to be rebuilt or renovated as a shelter and multiple-use facility, PSC would still own it.
“I have a concern about liability on a building you are sub-leasing on,” said Phillips. “And also who will be responsible for paying the bills, insurance requirements, maintenance, I think that would probably fall on the town.”
Phillips mentioned the building is a Brownsfield project, which designates it as harboring hazardous materials and/or possible contamination and may disqualify it altogether.
The council discussed building a shelter in the industrial park, which is currently owned by the town. Gomez pointed out the industrial park may be a better choice and Phillips said the building needs to be in use, not sitting unused. Gomez asked about the Agricultural Building on Highway 4 and Phillips reminded him the town already has a grant to improve it. Councilwoman Dynette Lewis suggested the town ask PSC to give ownership of the building to the town. Gomez made it clear he is not interested in being partnered with PSC or putting money into a building the town does not own.
“I wasn’t for that building to start with.” said Gomez. “You can catch a ride to PSC or the industrial park a lot quicker than you can way out to Northview. Apply for it, but only if it’s on Century property.”
Phillips said there is only three weeks before the application is due April 4, so time is limited. She said the notice to apply has to be on the town’s website for 10 days so she wasn’t sure there was time.
Interim Councilwoman Alicia Johnson made a motion to approve Phillips to apply for CDBG-DR grant for the project of replacement of the bridge on Freedom Road and various improvements to the drainage system at Jefferson Avenue/Freedom Road and Freedom Road Bridge and Alger Road Bridge. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Sandra Jackson McMurray. The motion carried unanimously.
Interim Councilwoman Johnson made a motion to approve resolutions to apply for the grants with a match of $7,500, from Local Option Sales Tax funds, for the Freedom Road Bridge project. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Jackson. The motion carried unanimously.
Councilwoman Dynette Lewis made a motion to approve Phillips to apply for a CDBG-DR grant for the project to build a shelter, to be used as a multi-use facility on property owned by the town, pending the transfer of the property PSC owns where the old Century High School gym stands now to the town of Century and notification of the council members. Councilwoman Jackson seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
Interim Councilwoman Johnson made a motion to approve resolutions to apply for the grants with a match of $7,500, from Local Option Sales Tax funds, for the shelter project. The motion was seconded by Interim Councilwoman Shelisa McCall Abraham. The motion carried unanimously.
In other business, the council:
-Approved the town’s bill list excluding four invoices totaling $6,792.25 submitted by Municipal Engineering’s Dale Long until the council can confer with Long regarding what services each invoice is billed for.
-Presented a proclamation honoring Pastor Idanier Washington-Bradley, pastor of Cry Aloud Spare Not New Testament Holiness Church at 70 Hilltop Road, an asset to Century, acknowledging and thanking her for her service to the members of the Century community.
-Approved the county’s canvassing board, recently appointed by Escambia County, which consists of County Judge Barry E. Dickson, Jr., Supervisor of Elections David H. Stafford, District 4 County Commissioner Robert Bender, County Judge Scott Ritchie, and County Judge Elizabeth Kissell, BCC Alternate, that will verify the town’s council seat winners at the special election on March 28.
The next council meeting will be at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 4, at Century Town Hall. The public is invited.
