Wrapping up the year in Santa Rosa

  • December 22, 2014
  • /   Louis Cooper
  • /   community-dashboard
Santa Rosa may look to the state to help fund the long-awaited Whiting Aviation Park, the county is looking for proposals to spend its RESTORE Act money, and you can turn your old Christmas tree into mulch. Dollars for Aviation Park Santa Rosa County may ask the Florida Legislature to help jump-start the Whiting Aviation Park, an industrial park intended to draw aircraft-related businesses with use of one of Whiting Field’s runways. Whiting Aviation Park consists of 269 developable acres, owned by Santa Rosa County, adjacent to the eastern side of Whiting Field. A Limited Access Use Agreement between the Navy and the county allowing access to the base’s nearby 6,000 square-foot runway was inked in 2009. A master plan was completed in 2011, including an easement from the Navy for the proposed taxiway. The entranceway and security fence are complete. However, much work remains. Design is expected to cost about $800,000 and Phase 1 construction is estimated at $13.9 million. That would include work on a taxiway, several internal roadways, other grounds work and utility work. Shannon Ogletree, Santa Rosa’s economic development director, suggested the County Commission seek $8.8 million from the Legislature, hoping to cover the rest with grants. The request will likely be included in the commission’s legislative request list, which was discussed this month but has not been finalized yet. There now are no tenants in the park, although two prospective businesses are considering locating there, Ogletree said. The park is capable of hosting tenants, but those needing runway access would need to build their own infrastructure. RESTORE projects Santa Rosa County will begin accepting proposals for projects to be included in the county’s RESTORE Multi-Year Implementation Plan on Jan. 12. About $4.3 million is available to Santa Rosa County in the first money offered through the RESTORE Act, the federal law intended to help communities impacted by the 2010 BP oil spill. This initial release of funding is a small part of an estimated $20 million to $75 million Santa Rosa is expected to receive once litigation and Clean Water Act fines against BP are finalized. The complete request for proposals, with submittal criteria, guidance and milestones, are available online at www.santarosa.fl.gov/bocc/restore.cfm. The RESTORE Act requires Santa Rosa County to create a multi-year implementation plan that is submitted to the U.S. Treasury Department for review and approval. Projects included in the plan must address one or more of the RESTORE Act eligible activities:
  • Restoration and protection of natural resources
  • Mitigation of damage to natural resources
  • Implementation of a federally approved marine or coastal management plan
  • Workforce development and job creation
  • Improving state parks affected by the spill
  • Infrastructure projects benefitting the economy or ecological resources
  • Flood protection and infrastructure
  • Promotion of tourism
  • Promotion of Gulf seafood consumption
The preferred method for project submittals is online in PDF format at www.santarosa.fl.gov/bocc/restore.cfm. Proposals will be accepted beginning Jan. 12 and must be received no later than 4 p.m., March 13. A pre-application workshop is scheduled during the Local RESTORE Council meeting on Feb. 9 at 3 p.m. Interested applicants are welcome to attend and ask questions. Questions or issues with loading applications can be emailed to [email protected] or contact Sheila Harris at (850) 983-1848. Christmas trees recycling Live Christmas trees can be dropped off for recycling through Jan. 19 at five county tree recycling areas. The trees will be chipped and offered as free mulch at Santa Rosa Clean Community System in Milton at a later date to be announced. When dropping off trees, place them in the designated area identified by signs. Santa Rosa Clean Community System/Green-Up Nursery, 6758 Park Ave., Milton
  • Jay Transfer Station, Transfer Station Road, Jay
  • Navarre Beach Boat Ramp Parking Lot Recycle Area, Gulf Boulevard, Navarre Beach
  • Tiger Point Recreation Area in Gulf Breeze, east of Walmart
  • Pace Volunteer Fire Department, 4773 Pace Patriot Blvd., Pace
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