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Crestview CRA names Commissioner Cox chair, hears Main Street update and science center pitch
Summary
The Crestview Community Redevelopment Agency approved Commissioner Cox as chair with the mayor pro tem as vice chair, received a report that Main Street work is in final punch-list stages and under budget, and discussed recruiting a Fort Walton science center to downtown Crestview.
The Crestview Community Redevelopment Agency voted to appoint Commissioner Cox as CRA chair and to have Mayor Pro Tem Capps serve as vice chair, and received a progress report from City Manager Tim Baldock on Main Street work and downtown attractions, including efforts to recruit a science center to Main Street.
City Manager Tim Baldock told the board the Main Street construction phase is nearly complete and teams are finishing a punch-list. "We are as everybody knows, we're in the process of wrapping up the Main Street project and so we are in the final stages of that which is the punch out list," Baldock said. He said the construction came in under schedule, leaving design hours in the contract that the CRA used to fund design for two future phases: making the Coney Island-to-Martin Luther King segment shovel-ready and redesigning Courthouse Terrace into a one-way street as part of a future park conversion.
Baldock said about $1,000,000 on the Main Street project originally came from a state appropriation and that finishing the two new segments as shovel-ready projects would position the city to seek additional state funds. He also told members the CRA had approved and funded wired speakers downtown and that installation work will begin in the coming weeks to provide a continuous sound environment for events and evening ambiance.
The board was told the CRA will not refill the vacant CRA director post after the previous director's final meeting. Baldock said, "As it sits right now, we are not going to fill that position," and that two staffers—Nick and Barry in the Community Development Services department—will take on administrative responsibilities so CRA funds can be directed toward projects and programs, including possible support to relocate a nonprofit science center from Fort Walton to Main Street.
Baldock said city staff have met with the science center and, if the nonprofit is interested, the CRA will return with a request for assistance. He described a stepped support plan to help the nonprofit occupy downtown space and become self-sufficient over a two- to three-year period.
Board members praised recent downtown events. Several members said the first Main Street Mardi Gras and a Food Truck Friday drew family-friendly crowds and supported downtown businesses. Board members asked how the new speakers would be used; Baldock said use plans are still being finalized but expected evening ambience for events and selective daytime programming around playground and family activities.
Votes at a glance • Motion to approve the agenda — voice vote; "Aye"s recorded and agenda approved (no roll-call tally specified). • Motion to approve regular meeting minutes of Sept. 9, 2024 — voice vote; minutes accepted (no roll-call tally specified). • Motion that Commissioner Cox serve as CRA chair and the mayor pro tem serve as vice chair — motion offered from the floor and accepted by voice vote. The motion was declared accepted after a voice "Aye" (no roll-call tally specified).
The CRA manager said the next regular topic for the board will be the preliminary CRA budget, which may include requests related to the design work and any assistance the CRA might provide to a relocated science center. The board did not take further formal action beyond the appointments and approvals noted above.
