‘07 outlook good for city
BY BRADLEY “B.J.” DAVIS, JR. Gulf Breeze News bjdavis@gulfbreezenews.com

The City of Gulf Breeze has a lot of irons in the fire for 2007. The number of projects underway is an indication of a bright future, according to city leaders.

“2007 is going to be the beginning of a new era that will serve our citizens, businesses and visitors well for the near and long term,” said Mayor Lane Gilchrist. Gilchrist mentioned a number of plans city officials have been working on tirelessly throughout the year.

One of the most notable developments is Andrews Institute, a state-of-the-art sports medicine facility that will provide a number of jobs establishing a more stable economy.

“I had been concerned since 2000 about the growth of population outside of Gulf Breeze and the pressure on local businesses to relocate closer to their customers,” said former council member Rick Outzen who also was a key player in bringing Andrews to Gulf Breeze. He adds, “I feared that we could easily become another Brownsville, who once was a thriving commercial area before

Interstate 10 was built, if we didn’t have a solid business magnet.”

A major retail development that has created much buzz for area residents is

Moulton Properties’ Sea Shell Collections, which will be home to a 90,000 square foot Publix Supermarket with additional 40,000 square feet in retail space.

“We are on target for a December 2007 or a January 2008 opening,” says Mary Moulton, Moulton Properties. “We are continue to lease space, and have heard a lot of positive comments about our current lessors, including Panera Bread.”

The past few years have seen a focus on the city’s infrastructure and beautification by both residents and city leaders. Active hurricane seasons and unprecedented floods have forced the city to reevaluate things such as a stormwater and reforestation. One project underway is the establishment of a stormwater utility. As per a State of Florida mandate, the City of Gulf

Breeze was required to capture and treat stormwater to protect area waters.

The city received a $1.5 million grant to install and upgrade stormwater infrastructure in sections of the city. The current project affecting the

Bay Cliffs subdivision will be completed early in 2007. Other projects will follow.

“The installation of the first of 14 projects is underway now and will be soon,” said Gilchrist. He added that a small charge of $4 per household per month was implemented for stormwater facilities and maintenance late in 2006.

Hurricanes Ivan in 2004 and Dennis in 2005 proved detrimental to the lush vegetation along Gulf Breeze’s coastline as well as throughout the city.

With the help of reforestation grants, the residents will soon be able to experience once again why Gulf Breeze has, for many years, been considered a “tree city.”

“Reforestation is important for two reasons. One, the City of Gulf Breeze has always been known for its small town appeal. To me, that appeal comes from the cozy feeling you get from seeing lots of trees and wildlife. The cement wonderlands have not made it here yet,” said former city employee Jessica James. James was responsible for penning a grant that provided nearly 3,000 trees to be given away free to city residents. She added that the trees are not just for aesthetics.

“Protection from future storms is the other reason reforestation is important. The trees protect all the new and newly renovated infrastructures that were damaged from the previous storms,” she said.

Another sign of recovery and progress is the renovations of the major parks throughout the city. Wayside Parks East and West are nearly completed with new gazebos, landscaping, lighting and boat ramp. Work at Shoreline Park

South includes restrooms, gazebos, boat ramp and boardwalk. Dog owners now have the opportunity to utilize the city’s new “bark park” which came to fruition by the work of the newly formed “Gulf Breeze Dog Lovers, Inc.,” Eagle Scout Daniel Hatcher and the City of Gulf Breeze. Work for the newly renovated Shoreline Park North football and softball fields is also on schedule.

“We hope to have everything done by March 1,” said City Manager Edwin “Buz”

Eddy.

City Council agreed to award two bids for completion of Shoreline Park North. Panhandle Paving and Grading was awarded a bid in the amount of $372,925 for asphalt and other related paving work and J.B. Coxwell was awarded a bid for $1,823,089 for the remaining project elements. City council also awarded Musco Lighting the bid of $355,000 for lighting.

“Musco [Lighting] is providing the current lighting system [at the park] and we’re very happy with it, and they provide the best warranty in the business,” said Gilchrist.

Some continuing concerns with the region’s economy include business and home windstorm insurance, inflated property assessments, taxation and transportation.