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County Extension seeks to relocate
Crestview News Bulletin (blog) - May 1, 2010
Flanked by Okaloosa County Extension Director Gerald Edmonson and University of Florida District Extension Director Pete Vergot, County Commissioner Wayne Harris asked the Crestview City Council to consider relocating the County Extension service's facility to a vacant, city-owned lot adjacent to the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce.
The council approved the request in a 4-1 vote, with a "no" vote by council member Linda Parker.
"As a location goes, I think it is a win for the city," council member Ben Iannucci said, offering a motion to approve the county's request.
The lot is part of a parcel of land on Commerce Drive east of the post office donated to the city to allow for expansion of government services and facilities. Part of the property includes the Crestview Community Center.
Harris told the council that the extension service has grown too large for its present headquarters, which is in a refurbished 1950s former county fair building on Old Bethel Road. Another portion of the building houses a satellite office of the Supervisor of Elections, and another part of the property includes a county maintenance facility.
In making his request, Harris presented letters of support from state Reps. Greg Evers (District 1) and Brad Drake, (District 5).
"We thought it was a good match with the community center and the library," Harris said. "We're running out of room over there (on Old Bethel Road). We've got people in hallways, we've got them in closets for their offices."
Because the property donors stipulated the land was to be used for governmental administration uses, city attorney Ben Holley advised the council to obtain a waiver from the donors if they plan to approve the county request, as the public use of the facility would differ from governmental use.
The council's approval was conditional upon approval of the land donors.
Operated by the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, the extension service offers a variety of programs and services to area farmers, landowners, and home gardeners, as well as family and consumer sciences skills and support.
The new building, which would be similar to a $1 million facility erected by the Santa Rosa County Extension Office in 2001, would include 50 adjacent parking spaces which could also accommodate overflow from events at the community center and Chamber of Commerce, Harris said. The project would be bid in phases.
Harris said a $750,000 grant is available from the county for construction, but is probably not quite enough for the entire facility. However, because the cost of construction has gone down with the downturn in the economy, Harris feels the available money will bring the project close to completion.
"I can't tell you we'd finish it in total, but we can get pretty darn close to it," Harris said.
"We want to spend that money. I guess that's terrible as a conservative Republican, but we need" the new facility, Harris said. "I think there is a great opportunity, and I'm afraid if we don't do it, we'll lose it."
Edmondson assured the body, "The money is there now. We can start encumbering funds right away."
Extension Agent Larry Williams told the council the Master Gardeners program has offered to do the landscaping at no expense to the county, including landscaping planned, but not funded, for the large lawn in front of the community center.
"They're a very talented group," Williams said. "Once they're aware of the project, there's no way to hold them back." Williams also said an irrigation system would also be installed at no cost.
Because more than 100 people on average attend extension programs, "We've outgrown the (current) facility," Williams said.
Councilman Charles Baugh Jr. wondered if it would be a "deal breaker" if the county moved the new facility to the northwest corner of the site. He said the city has considered a future facility for the same site. Harris explained the planned location was selected to take advantage of available parking at the community center for people attending events at the extension facility.
"For the sake of the community, the sake of the public, I think it would be best to put it there," Harris said. "Here's our fear, Councilman Baugh, if we put it on the west end, it could be a very long time before that gap is filled in," Harris said. He explained that parking could expand west to benefit a future city facility.
"If we can get it in the right location, I think this can be a positive thing," said Councilwoman Linda Parker. "I do not think parking and the walk (if the facility was built farther west) is going to be an issue.
"What I would like to see is a lease agreement," she said. "Is there any way, with the University of Florida involved, that we might be able to generate revenue" for the city through regular lease payments, she asked, adding, "I am opposed to giving away another piece of city property," as happened with the formerly city-owned Alatex Building.
Under further questioning, Edmonson said, "We did consider tearing down the facility we have now, but we would displace the Supervisor of Elections and Facility Maintenance. I don't think from a liability standpoint they would let us drive through Facility Maintenance." He said parking would remain an issue.
The requested spot, however, is perfect for both County Extension and community center needs, Harris maintained.
"It's a great community area and this, basically, is to me a no-brainer with the other facilities that are out there," Harris said.
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