Future of Benson Bldg. unknown
BY VICI PAPAJOHN Gulf Breeze News vici@gulfbreezenews.com

When the Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church sold the property known as the Benson Building on the corner of Highway 98 and Northcliffe Drive in mid-August, rumors were that a Walgreen's was coming to town. City and church representatives confirm that Walgreen's had expressed interest, but that the lot size and shape proved challenging. Under Community Redevelopment Association rules (CRA) the required 15' setback for streetfront landscaping and walkways made the design impossible. William Merrill, representing Merrill Parker Shaw, Inc. Engineering firm, proposed bank plans on June 4 to the Gulf Breeze City Council which waived non-binding conceptual approval of the proposed bank layout on the site of the property bordering Live Oak Street, U.S. Highway 98 and Northcliffe Drive.

"We didn't get that far into it - we looked at rough plans for a Walgreen's and for a bank, but once we reviewed the CRA rules and we matched them with a site plan, some concessions would be necessary," explains City Manager Edwin "Buz" Eddy. "It would definitely make it easier for the the developer to comply with CRA guidelines if they acquired adjoining properties."

The shallow presentation of the Benson property posed problems for the council as well with limited access and egress

from Live Oak St. and Northcliffe Dr.

Adjoining property owner Dan Greene, Live Oak of Gulf Breeze, LLC, says he has been contacted about selling his property. "We have just started to have to make a lot of repairs on our building, and just replaced our air conditioner. We have gone a long time without a lot of maintenance and we have a great situation with our tenants, but we have gone back and forth with them a few times."

Additional lots to the north of the Live Oak of Gulf Breeze, LLC lots are owned by David and Mary Butler. The lot dimensions are 100 feet by 170 feet and a 7,000 sq. ft. building currently stands on the lots. The two lots straddle Duncan Subdivision and the Northcliffe Subdivision and extend all the way to the back of the Post Office. The Butlers have not yet been contacted about a sale of their property.

CRA guidelines for landscaping and design will limit the space for development, and could require underground water retention, a growing trend in Northwest Florida as land values increase.

"Moulton Properties is using underground ground water systems on their new development now," Eddy explains.

FOG GB, LLC bought the property from the church for $1,650,000. RMC Property Group is pursuing the development efforts.

The church council will meet Nov.1 to vote how to allocate the funds and a church charge conference will follow on Nov. 19 to ratify the council's suggestion. The council is expected to propose paying down debt on the new education building and name it in honor of Mark X. and Eloise Benson. The church bought out one legal and binding lease from a tenant in the building prior to its sale, and most have relocated.