TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Timothy Stillings, Planning and Zoning Director
THROUGH: Donald B. Cooper, City Manager
DATE: July 5, 2016
Title
RESOLUTION NO. 27-16, APPROVING A SPECIAL CATEGORY GRANT APPLICATION TO THE FLORIDA DIVISION OF HISTORICAL RESOURCES FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THE SEABOARD AIR LINES RAILROAD STATION AT 80 DEPOT AVENUE
Body
Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Motion to Approve Resolution No. 27-16 in support of submitting a Special Grant Application to the Florida Division of Historical Resources for the rehabilitation of the Seaboard Air Lines Railroad Station at 80 Depot Avenue.
Body
Background:
City Staff is preparing a matching grant application to the Division of Historical Resources, Florida Department of State, for funding through their established Special Category Grant program. If approved, this funding of $500,000 will support the City’s efforts in rehabilitation of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad Station, located at 80 Depot Avenue. A Small Matching Grant application for $50,000 was also submitted earlier this year for the station which is listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and Local Register of Historic Places. The status of the Small Matching Grant is pending.
The planned rehabilitation efforts will provide for the adaptive reuse of the original 1927 portion of the building with The Caring Kitchen as the anticipated tenant. The balance of the building, which will also be rehabilitated, will remain as a storage location for the City. The overall plan for the site is to improve it to accommodate multi-modal access for pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicle traffic, while utilizing sustainability principles.
The Seaboard Air Line Railroad Station was built in 1927 and designed by renowned architect Gustav A. Maas for the firm of Harvey and Clark. The station served the transportation needs of local farmers, residents and businessmen of the Atlantic Coast community. During the 1970s and through the 1980s, the station was leased to AMTRAK and remained active for several years. The station was ultimately closed for railway and passenger business and sold to private owners. The City acquired the property in 2005 and has utilized it for storage needs and on-site training by the City’s Fire Department.
City Attorney Review:
Approved as to form and legal sufficiency.
Finance Department Review:
Finance recommends approval.
Funding Source:
Staff anticipates total project cost at $ 2,250,000. Spending of $ 250,000 is included in the proposed FY 2016-2017 capital budget, with funding recommended from the proceeds of the recent Auburn Trace transaction (currently parked in reserves). If approved, subsequent years' funding could be from a combination of additional use of the Auburn Trace proceeds, grant proceeds if received, and General Fund revenues to be authorized in the FY 2017-2020 capital budget.
Timing of Request:
Special Category Grant Application is due July 8, 2016.