The city of Century has had millions of dollars in state grants cut, and a NorthEscambia.com investigation has uncovered what really happened and why.
“This council is transparent: I am transparent,” Gomez said after announcing that he would explain to citizens and the city council “what is really happening in the city of Century … So I’ll tell you exactly what happened.”
Gomez went on to explain that the city had been stripped of grants totaling about $15.6 million and they weren’t even being administered by the county on behalf of the city… and said the money and projects are just gone. Gomez and consulting grant applicant Robin Phillips said they really don’t know who made the decision or why.
FloridaCommerce had cut off grants to the city, but NorthEscambia.com found that much of the grant money is still going through the county and most projects, with the exception of a community center, are continuing.
First, what kind of subsidies were involved?
A community center valued at $3.255 million
In April 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis awarded the City of Century $3.255 million for economic development. The Small Cities Community Development Block Grant was earmarked for the renovation of two community centers – $1.985 million was earmarked for the renovation of the historic Carver Community Center at 7040 Jefferson Avenue and $850,000 was allocated for the Century Community Center (also known as the Ag Building) at the corner of West Highway 4 and Industrial Boulevard to bring it up to current building standards and make improvements.
Due to termites, significant rot, and lead paint, it was decided to demolish and replace the Jefferson Avenue Community Center, funding this project at a cost of $3,255. An architect’s design was approved by the council in March 2024.
$12.8 million hurricane shelter, multi-purpose building and two bridges
In July 2023, Century was awarded a grant of just over $12.8 million from the Florida Department of Commerce’s Rebuild Florida program to address the impacts of Hurricane Sally.
The $12,877,137 grant funds were to be used to demolish the old Century High School gymnasium on Hecker Road and build a shelter that can also be used as a multi-use facility, as well as for drainage and road improvements at Jefferson Avenue and the Freedom Road Bridge and Alger Road Bridge, which were damaged during Hurricane Sally.
A $10 million grant was intended to transform the old Century High School gymnasium site into a multi-purpose facility that could also serve as a hurricane or disaster shelter. The old gymnasium, built in 1960, was owned by Pensacola State College, not the city, and the city lobbied PSC to deed the gymnasium site to Century.
The grant also included $2,862,137 to improve drainage on bridges on Jefferson Avenue and Alger Road, whose banks suffered erosion during Hurricane Sally.
Appropriation of the Freedom Road Bridge
Florida’s Legislature approved $1.257 million to replace a bridge owned by the City of Century on Freedom Road. These funds were included in the budget that Governor Ron DeSantis signed in July 2023. In October 2023, Century signed the funding agreement with the state and set a tentative timeline that calls for the bridge to be completed by June 2026.
According to Rep. Michelle Salzman’s funding request to the Legislature, replacing the bridge would improve access for emergency vehicles, provide some residents with a shorter and more direct route to the nearest hospital in Jay, and provide better access for area residents.
Due to extreme structural damage, the bridge has been closed since January 29, 2020.
Which money is gone and what remains?
The $1.257 million to replace the Freedom Road bridge remains; it’s part of the state of Florida’s annual budget. And by all accounts, completion is nearly on schedule for 2026. (Behind the scenes, planning and environmental work is still underway; actual work hasn’t begun yet.)
The city’s $12.8 million grant for two additional bridges and a hurricane shelter that will double as a multi-purpose community center building was canceled. However, the funds were awarded to Escambia County and the projects will continue.
Escambia County has received a $12,877,137 grant for the community center/shelter and the Jefferson Avenue and Alger Road bridges. According to Escambia County, the status of these projects is as follows:
- Community Center: This project is currently in the early stages and is being managed by our Facilities Department. The land was deeded to Escambia County from Pensacola State College at no cost with the stipulation that it must remain a community center/shelter. Phase I will include an environmental study. Then they will bid on the design and move the process forward. Approximately $10 million has been awarded for this project.
- Jefferson Avenue/Alger Road Bridge: This project is the rehabilitation of a pipe culvert along Jefferson Avenue and the replacement of a bridge on Alger Road. Freedom Road was originally included in the scope but was later taken out because Century received a separate grant to replace this structure. The Escambia County Engineering Department is monitoring this project and is currently waiting for FloridaCommerce to approve the proposed Request for Proposals for the environmental assessment. Once approved, the project will be put out to bid. The agreement was fully executed on August 13, 2024 in the amount of $2,862,137.
The $3.255 million grant for the Jefferson Avenue Community Center has effectively disappeared. The City Council has approved an amendment to make the original grant a simple planning grant, eliminating all construction work and reducing the $3.255 million in funding to $514,650. The just over half a million dollars will be used for the work completed to date by the engineer, architect and grant administrator. Under the agreement with FloridaCommere accepted by the Council, no money at all is earmarked for construction of the Jefferson Avenue Community Center. The funds were taken back by the state and are not part of the funds awarded to Escambia County.
Why were millions taken back?
Gomez only recently informed his council and citizens of the grant withdrawal. He was initially told that the city would lose the $12.8 million “due to financial and fiscal solvency issues facing the city.” The notice came in a May 15, 204, letter from an office manager in FloridaCommerce’s Office of Long-Term Resiliency.
“Commerce recognizes the tremendous need for these rebuilding efforts and is committed to helping your community in this endeavor,” wrote Lecia Behenna of FloridaCommerce. “As such, the allocation of funds for this project will be transferred to the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners, who will fully complete this project on behalf of your citizens. This decision was made to ensure that these funds are fully utilized to support rebuilding in your community on your behalf. The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners has been notified of Commerce’s decision to terminate this agreement and is prepared to continue these projects on your behalf.”
How did Century try to keep the subsidies?
A response letter from Gomez stated, “The City of Century has never been in a financial emergency as defined by Florida statutes. Furthermore, all findings of previous audits have been addressed favorably and the most significant findings were isolated incidents.” He also noted that seven months of historical data showed the city was on track to meet or exceed its current operating budget.
In another letter signed by Gomez and emailed to the state on July 25, Century argues for keeping the Carver Community Center grant, calling the state’s concerns unfounded and noting that the architectural design is complete and will be ready for bid in September or October 2024.
“The Carver Community Center has always been an important part of the community, serving as a central location for extracurricular and senior citizen activities, as well as a hub for community resources such as utility and financial assistance programs,” Gomez pleaded with the state. “Our residents have eagerly anticipated this project since funding was announced and are very concerned that this project is now in jeopardy. Due to the deterioration of the original Carver building, these important services have been suspended indefinitely. Without this grant, these services will likely never return to our community.”
As recently as July 26, the acting Century Town Manager emailed several people at FloridaCommerce, including the deputy secretary of state, asking for an update and whether the state agency had consulted with Escambia County about whether the project could be completed. Another email from Brown to Deputy Secretary of State Kate Doyle shows that Brown and Gomez met with her “a few weeks” before July 9.
“If Escambia County could move forward, this project would serve low- to moderate-income individuals in a rural community and would benefit not only the residents of the City of Century, but also the residents of Escambia County,” Brown wrote. “We are excited about the opportunity to partner with Florida Commerce on this important initiative. We would like to let citizens know that the project will still occur, but will be managed by Escambia County.”
The final answer
In a brief email dated August 9, Doyle responded and apologized for the delayed response due to a recent trip.
“We will not be able to extend the grant agreement or transfer the grant to Escambia County,” Doyle said in response to the state’s position in opposing funding for construction of the Jefferson Avenue community center.
NorthEscambia.com photos, images, click to enlarge.