Subject:
Title
Application to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity for the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund in the amount of $5,000,000.00 to fund the reconstruction of 20th Avenue SE from Starkey Road to Lake Avenue.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approve the submission of an application to request $5,000,000.00 in state grant funding to design and construct approximately .5 mile of roadway on 20th Avenue SE from Starkey Road to Lake Avenue.
Authorize the Chairman to execute and the Clerk of the Circuit Court to attest to the grant application form.
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Strategic Plan:
Foster Continual Economic Growth and Vitality
4.1 Proactively attract and retain businesses with targeted jobs to the county and region
4.4 Invest in infrastructure to meet current and future needs
Summary:
This Florida Job Growth Grant Fund Application is requesting $5,000,000.00 to design and construct approximately .5 mile of roadway on 20th Avenue SE from Starkey Road to Lake Avenue, including railroad crossings and sewer utilities. The grant application is requesting 100% of the project’s funding.
Background Information:
On July 12, 2017, Governor Scott announced that the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund is accepting applications for public infrastructure and workforce training projects. The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund is a new economic development program designed to build on Florida’s success and economic prosperity. In its first year, the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund will provide $85 million for public infrastructure and job training projects that support growth and employment in Florida’s diverse industries.
This grant application is to fund a project to design and construct approximately .5 mile of roadway on 20th Avenue SE from Starkey Road to Lake Avenue. The roadway is central to 93 acres of immediately adjacent Industrial General (IG) land uses, and more than 700 acres of Targeted Employment Center (TEC) land uses within one mile. It is one of the most concentrated areas of IG properties in the County. The area is a Florida designated Brownfield Area, and infrastructure, environmental, and transportation challenges are present and threatening its economic development potential.
In 2003-2004, the local businesses that utilize 20th Avenue SE petitioned the County to improve the road to County Standards and take it over for future maintenance. 20th Avenue SE at that time was a private road. The County purchased the property that the road is on from the adjacent properties in 2004 with plans to complete it as a roadway assessment project, however the design phase revealed challenges that proved too costly to the adjacent property owners and the project was canceled.
This project is not shown in the list of arterial and collector roadways recently presented to the Board since 20th Avenue SE is a local street that requires minimal maintenance to preserve it in its current configuration. Project plans have been developed but will need to be updated to account for any changes since 2004 and permitting would involve working with CSX Transportation, Inc. for the rail lines that cross this property. Public Works estimates that it could take approximately three (3) years to complete the project.
Fiscal Impact:
There is no fiscal impact to the County. The application is requesting 100% of the project’s costs including Public Works staff time for project management.
Staff Member Responsible:
Mike Meidel, Economic Development Director
Partners:
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
Enterprise Florida
City of Largo
Attachments:
Grant application with attachments
Location maps and photos
Resolution 04-209