COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Summary of Program Goals and Activities
Revised June 3, 2008

The following is a summary status of the Community Redevelopment Agency’s work program presenting the major components of the program, the near-term and long term goals for each component, the corresponding work activities to achieve the goals and significant accomplishments  

Front Beach Road Multimodal Transportation, Aesthetic and Parking Improvements

1. Long Term Goals
   
   
   1. Provide for safe and convenient Pedestrian and Bicycle mobility along the beachfront roadways
   2. Provide streetscaping and landscaping improvements and undergrounding of aerial utilities
   3. Provide for improved parking particularly for beach access
      
      
2. Short Term Goals
   
   
   1. Develop an operational plan for multimodal improvements for transit and beach access parking to serve Front Beach Road and N. and S. Thomas Drive
   2. Complete final design and permitting for first segment of Front Beach Road and for South Thomas Drive project
   3. Support environmental and stormwater concerns associated with Front Beach Road and South Thomas Drive beach outfalls in concert with city, county and TDC beach nourishment permitting
   4. Coordinate with current and proposed redevelopment within Front Beach Road Segment I to plan and implement roadway improvements
      
      
3. Activities
   
   
   1. Transit Development Study (RTC, Inc. Task 1)
      This task is for the development of an operational model for the first phase of implementation of the multimodal improvements on Front Beach Road.  This activity began in August 2006 and has been substantially modified to include an interim plan for multi-modal operations for the entire segment of Front Beach Road within the CRA.  Data collection and analysis has been completed and the final report has been prepared and reviewed by the Program Manager.  A final report of findings and presentation was made at a Council Workshop on 24 January 2008 and the final report was distributed to City Staff and CRA Board in April 2008.  Specific goals for this task were as follows:
      ·     Identify specific transit route  and vehicle options for the full length of Front Beach Road improvements
      ·     Identify interim transit routes and vehicles for application after the first segment of Front Beach Road is constructed
      ·     Study and recommend tram vehicle selection
      ·     Prepare cost estimates for infrastructure design, construction and associated right of way acquisition
      ·     Explore public/private partnerships for revenue collection
      ·     Study and recommend a ticketing/tolling system
      ·     Determine estimated operational options and costs
      ·     Facilitate ongoing coordination with local transit partners
      The findings, having been well received by the CRA Board, are presently being incorporated in the design for the South Thomas Drive and Front Beach Road Segment One projects. In addition, a formal request has been made to the Bay TPO to include the general concepts of the study into the Transit Development Plan so that the recommended transit elements may be eligible for state and federal grant money.
      
      
   2. Front Beach Road Final Design for Segment One (PBS&J Task 16)
      This task is for the preparation of construction documents for the first segment of Front Beach Road from Beckrich Road to South Thomas Drive and includes a portion of Beckrich Road north to the Edgewater Resort entrance road. This final design task, authorized at the 13 December 2007 council meeting, is a continuation of the preliminary design done under PBS&J Task 3 and includes preparation of final contract documents, right of way mapping, permitting, bid assistance and elements of transit coordination. This task is scheduled to be completed by spring of 2009.  
      
      
   3. Thomas Drive Design (PBS&J Tasks 7 and 9) and R/W Acquisition
      These tasks include the final design for multi-laning, multimodal and aesthetic improvements to North Thomas Drive from Front Beach Road to Joan Avenue; and final design and construction document preparation for multimodal and aesthetic improvements to South Thomas Drive (Beach Drive) and a portion of Front Beach Road between South Thomas Drive and North Thomas Drive.  The tasks were initiated August 2005 and, through supplemental agreements executed for each task, the portion of Front Beach Road between South Thomas Drive and North Thomas Drive has been deleted from the N. Thomas task and added to the S. Thomas task and priority for construction has been shifted to the S. Thomas Drive task.  The North Thomas Drive task is to be developed to the point of pre-final design with all right of way design and mapping requirements complete for roadway and stormwater ponds. Appraisal work was also completed for one stormwater parcel and all of the right of way needs were formally presented to Council by the design Project Manager at a 24 January 2008 workshop.  Utility coordination plans will be developed for the North Thomas Drive task concurrently with the South Thomas Drive task.
       
      The South Thomas Drive design task has been supplemented to include more extensive reconstruction to the roadway to provide a curb and gutter typical section similar to that planned for the Front Beach Road corridor.  Right of way needs for S. Thomas Drive roadway and associated stormwater requirements have been developed as a part of this task, with most appraisals completed in April 2008.  All of the right of way needs for South Thomas Drive were formally presented to Council by the design Project Manager at the 24 January 2008 workshop and purchase offers and amounts for four small roadway parcels were approved at the 8 May 2008 Council meeting. One of the required pond parcels for this project was included in the resolution for the near term work plan approved by council on 22 February 2007 and was purchased on 20 August 2007. This project is scheduled to have final plans, specifications and permitting completed by October 2008.
      
      
4. Accomplishments
   
   
   1. FBR 30% Roadway 60% Drainage Plans (PBS&J, Task 3)
      This activity included preliminary roadway and drainage plans development for the length of Front Beach Road and the development of an abbreviated State Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) as required by FDOT. It was begun 12-04 and is substantially complete except for FDOT concurrence of the SEIR which is expected in the near future.  The design effort was pro-actively involved with the transit feasibility analysis that took place from 10-05 through 02-06 and the current preliminary plans reflect a design for dedicated tram lanes and undergrounding of utilities. The drainage and stormwater design analysis for the roadway has been closely coordinated with the city’s stormwater utility masterplanning and with Bay County’s continuing efforts to satisfy FDEP requirements concerning beach renourishment and the beach outfalls.
      
      
   2. FBR Streetscape Design Guidelines Manual
      This task, completed in July 2006, was for the development of a manual establishing the general design standards for the Front Beach Road Streetscaping projects. The Manual is a working document that takes each aspect of the streetscape elements on a section by section basis, each giving materials and dimensions as a guide to proceed with the final development of construction drawings.
      

Connector Road Redevelopment

1. Long Term Goals
   
   Make capacity and aesthetic improvements to all connector roads included in the Redevelopment Plan as necessary and appropriate. Except for SR79, prioritization for the connector road projects has not been formally established and the long-term connector road work plan is expected to be prioritized based on current and future redevelopment projects needs.
   
   
2. Short Term Goals
   
   
   1. Construct Beckrich Road improvements
   2. Complete Preliminary Design and R/W acquisition for Alf Coleman Road
   3. Prepare SR 79 Design Contract and Agreement with FDOT for TRIP grant funds
   4. Complete planning for additional connectors
      
      
3. Activities
   
   
   1. Construction of Beckrich Road Improvements
      The Beckrich Road construction project was awarded to GAC, Inc. with Notice to Proceed issued 24 April 2007 and construction beginning 4 September 2007.  There is a 24 month construction schedule set for Beckrich Road. Construction is proceeding on schedule with only relatively minor contract cost issues arising.
      
      
   2. Construction documents and R/W acquisition for Alf Coleman Road (PBS&J Task Order # 5)
      Changes to the planned redevelopment of several of the parcels along Alf Coleman has presented an opportunity to re-design  the roadway design to minimize r/w costs by eliminating unusually high business damages previously identified for Shipwreck Island Water Park.  The work plan prioritization options for Alf Coleman Road design and right of way acquisition were presented to City Council on February 22, 2007.  A supplemental agreement to shift the roadway east south of Middle Beach Road and raise the roadway elevation north of Middle Beach Road was approved by Council on 10 May 2007.  This design work has been substantially completed with revised right of way legal descriptions completed.
      
      
   3. Preliminary Design on Clara, Hills and Powell Adams (PBS&J Task Orders # 10, 11, 12)
      These tasks were begun in 2005 to provide sufficient design analysis to determine the R/W needs for these roadway projects.  Preliminary contacts were made with property owners on Powell Adams and Hills.  Legal descriptions have been completed for both Powell Adams Road and Hills Road roadway and pond right of way requirements and appraisals have been completed for all parcels on Hills except for the future Seahaven pond. On Powell Adams Road only the St. Joe owned parcel has been appraised.  Right of way acquisition on these projects was not included in the near term work plan resolution approved by council on February 22, 2007.
      
      
   4. Planning for additional connectors (DRMP Task Order 2)
      Planning is ongoing for the additional connectors included in the redevelopment plan.  This work is being done under the general Program Management task. In this regard, the Program Manager prepared and submitted a state TRIP grant application on behalf of the City for the SR 79 (Arnold) connector study and design in the amount of $500,000. This required that the Bay County TPO be lobbied to prioritize and recommend the application, which it did, with the grant subsequently awarded to the City. The funds will be available 1 July 2008.  State budget reductions have caused the FDOT to reduce the number of TRIP funded projects however, at this time, the SR 79 project remains funded for FY 2008-2009.
      
   
   

1. Accomplishments
   
   
   1. Construct Churchwell Road and Parking lot improvements
      Bids received December 6, 2006 for this project were deemed acceptable and approved for award by City Council.  The project was awarded to Marshall Brothers Construction, with construction beginning 2 April 2007.  Construction proceeded smoothly and ahead of schedule with only relatively minor issues requiring contract cost adjustments.  This project was substantially completed on April 16, 2008 when a public ribbon cutting ceremony was held.
      
      
   2. Re-construct Churchwell Road Bridge using FDOT Funds
      The FDOT had prepared bridge replacement plans for the Churchwell Road bridge, had purchased additional right of way to construct the new bridge and had construction funds programmed for fiscal year 2007.
       
      Bids received December 6, 2006 for this project were deemed acceptable and approved for award by City Council.  The project was awarded to Marshall Brothers Construction, with construction beginning 2 April 2007.  Construction has proceeded smoothly and ahead of schedule with only minor issues requiring contract cost adjustments.  This project was substantially completed on April 16, 2008 when a public ribbon cutting ceremony was held.
      
      
   3. Preliminary Design on Clara, Hills and Powell Adams (PBS&J Task Orders # 10, 11, 12)
      These tasks were begun in 2005 to provide sufficient design analysis to determine the R/W needs for these roadway projects.  Preliminary contacts were made with property owners on Powell Adams and Hills.  Legal descriptions have been completed for both Powell Adams Road and Hills Road roadway and pond right of way requirements and appraisals have been completed for all parcels on Hills except for the future Seahaven pond. On Powell Adams Road only the St. Joe owned parcel has been appraised.  Right of way acquisition on these projects was not included in the near term work plan resolution approved by council on February 22, 2007.

Other Roadways in the Plan

1. Panama City Beach Parkway
   
   No capacity improvement activities are being planned for the Parkway at this time. The aesthetic and pedestrian improvements included in the Redevelopment Plan for the Parkway are included in the long-range work plan for which no formal prioritization has been made by Council.
   
   
2. Hutchison Road
   
   Work plan for Hutchison Road include aesthetic, bicycle/pedestrian and minor capacity improvements. These improvements are presently scheduled to be accomplished near the end of the work plan for which no formal prioritization has been made by Council.

Program Financing

1. Short Term Goal
   
   
   1. Seek additional bond financing as soon as practical
   2. Evaluate TIF in light of millage reduction and economic trend
   3. Continue work on assessment plan for consideration by late Summer of 2007
   4. Explore alternate transit funding
   5. Develop Near-term Work Program Expenditure options for consideration by City Council
   
   
2. Long Term Goal
   
   
   1. Develop transit operations financing plan
   2. Develop roads operations financing plan
   3. Explore funds leveraging opportunities
   
   

1. Activities
   
   
   1. Economic Analysis (Attorney directed task)
      RERC, Inc. has been tasked to evaluate future bond and other funding for CRA capital and O&M requirements. A report of his findings is anticipated in the near future.
      
      
   2. Prepare Operations and Maintenance Guide (DRMP Task Order 2)
      The Program Manager is preparing a guide to define the scope and cost of work required to operate and maintain the CRA capital project improvements on Churchwell Road and Beckrich Road and estimated maintenance cost for all future improvement projects.   
      
      
   3. Bond Sale (Attorney directed task)
      The next bond issue will be pursued following publication of the County tax roll in the summer of 2008.
   
   

1. Accomplishments
   
   
   1. Bond Sale of $55M
      A Capital Improvement Revenue bond sale (Series 2006) of $54,835,00 was prepared and closed in September of 2006.

Foreseeable Decision Point

The City Council approved a near term work plan on February 22, 2007.

With design work proceeding on South Thomas Drive that will result in construction documents ready for bidding by late 2008, the CRA must obtain additional financing to move this project into construction. It is anticipated that this additional program financing, will be available for CRA Board consideration sometime after the preliminary tax roll is published in the summer of 2008