Gail Hamilton

Zephyrhills projects on the way

March 9, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

The Zephyrhills CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) has several projects on tap for its 30-year master plan.

Gail Hamilton, in her first year as CRA director for the city of Zephyrhills, gave an overview of what’s expected during the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce’s monthly meeting on March 3.

The CRA oversees a 520-acre defined district that essentially encompasses the center spine of the city, generally between Hercules Park to C Avenue, and from Zephyr Park to 17th Street.

Zephyrhills CRA director Gail Hamilton spoke to the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce on March 3. She outlined several projects for the CRA’s 30-year master plan. (Kevin Weiss/Staff Photos) — Zephyrhills CRA director Gail Hamilton spoke to the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce on March 3. She outlined several projects for the CRA’s 30-year master plan.
(Kevin Weiss/Staff Photos)

Hamilton talked about the agency’s impending priorities—neighborhood cleanup, restoration of dilapidated homes and the development of Zephyr Park.

“The idea behind the CRA is that the city looks at the city limits and they look at…slum and blight conditions. …You look at different aspects of the community and you decide that the private sector, the market, is not going to bring up the conditions within that defined district,” Hamilton explained.

“One of the things the CRA does is look at the conditions, and try to come up with incentives…for people to invest and make the conditions better within the district, and therefore, increase the property values.”

Hamilton cited the Silver Oaks community as an example for the type of area the CRA is working to clean up.

“There’s no sidewalks, there’s no streetlights, there’s no driveways,” she said.

“People are parking on the grass, and the grass has died, and it’s just sand…blowing into the street. They haven’t painted the houses. The roofs are bad. There are appliances in the yards. Trash is blowing.

“Would you invest there? Would you buy a home? The answer is no,” she said.

The first step in improving the appearance of residential areas within the district was taken at the CRA’s last board meeting on Feb. 22, with the passage of a $10,000 Residential Paint Grant Program.

The program is open to residents of owner-occupied homes on a first-come, first-served basis. The grant provides up to $500 in matching funds. For example, if an owner spends $1,000 on paint, the CRA will provide $500. If an owner spends $400 on paint, the CRA will reimburse $200.

The Zephyrhills CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) oversees a 520-acre defined district that essentially encompasses the center spine of the city, generally between Hercules Park to C Avenue, and from Zephyr Park to 17th Street.

“We want to encourage people to paint their homes,” Hamilton said. “Nothing makes a house look better than a good coat of paint.”

In addition to residential properties, the CRA is looking to spruce up commercial property, and make the city more attractive for future business.

At the CRA’s next board meeting on March 28, the CRA is expected to pass a Commercial Sign Grant Program.

“Looking at the businesses around town, the signs really do need help,” the CRA director said. “The CRA is working to come up with designs for the different commercial districts, because if you’re on Fifth Avenue, the sign you put up is a whole lot different than the sign you would put up if you were on Gall Boulevard.

“We want to make sure you have an opportunity to put a sign up that is interesting, reflects your business, and really matches the district and the area that your business is in,” she said.

The CRA is making it a priority to incorporate better branding for “The City of Pure Water.”

“You go anywhere in the world and you say, ‘Zephyrhills,’ the first thing people say is, ‘water.’ Why is it that we have no water anywhere in downtown? There’s not a water fountain or even a picture of water,” Hamilton explained.

“When we finish this (30-year master) plan, at no time will you be in Zephyrhills that you don’t see, touch or hear water.”

Additionally, the CRA is embarking on a yearlong design plan for upgrading Zephyr Park.

Hamilton pointed out that a “great park” should make the city more attractive for visitors.

“It’s a great asset. It’s going to be a great investment for the city of Zephyrhills,” she said. “We will increase the redevelopment value of all the surrounding properties in that area.”

The agency is also in the midst of restoring the historic Jeffries House — leveling, replacing window frames and rehabbing the entire building.

“When you look at Zephyrhills, there’s not a tremendous amount of economic resources, so the historic resources we have, we want to honor them,” Hamilton said.

Published March 9, 2016

Zephyrhills is crowing about clean neighborhoods

July 15, 2015 By Kathy Steele

Rocky Rooster isn’t out to ruffle anyone’s feathers. He just wants to crow about strutting through clean neighborhoods in Zephyrhills.

On July 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Rocky Rooster will be the mascot and booster of neighborhood pride at the first city-sponsored neighborhood cleanup day.

“We’re really trying to get the word out,” said Gail Hamilton, director of the city’s Community Redevelopment Area.

Rocky Rooster wants to know if you’ve ‘Got Trash?’ (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills) — Rocky Rooster wants to know if you’ve ‘Got Trash?’
(Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

The focus area for the cleanup is between Seventh Street and 11th Street, and 11th Street and Sixth Avenue, near downtown.

Fliers are being mailed to property owners. Code enforcement officers are personally delivering fliers to residents living within the cleanup’s focus area.

The campaign slogan is “Make our city something to crow about.”

The program emerged after City Manager Steve Spina asked city department heads to discuss how to improve code enforcement.

Organizers want to convey the message that the city and residents can work together to clean up the neighborhoods.

“We just thought some people are overwhelmed and don’t have vehicles to haul junk to the landfill,” said Hamilton. “It’s like a carrot instead of a stick. We’re really trying to rid the focus area of detrimental items that have accumulated over the year.”

Still, there could be consequences for residents who opt out of the cleanup.

“If they don’t use our services, code enforcement will come behind and start issuing citations,” Hamilton said.

On cleanup day, dumpsters will be placed at Eighth Street and Eighth Avenue. City crews will clean up rights-of-way and alleys. Residents will be asked to haul trash and junk to the curb for pickup. Volunteers from the city will pitch in when needed.

Hamilton noted that the area has some elderly residents who may not be physically able to do the clean up work.

No hazardous waste, such as paint and chemicals, will be accepted.

City officials hope residents will join the cleanup and have fun at the same time.

They’ve taken a light-hearted approach with Rocky Rooster — a nod to the chickens and roosters seen frequently roaming the neighborhood.

“You like the chickens, or you hate them,” Hamilton said. “We decided to take a negative and make it fun.”

Residents who participate in the cleanup can enjoy a community block party afterward, with hot dogs and drinks. They also can chat with the city’s department heads, including Hamilton and Spina.

Because this is the first time the city has done this, officials don’t know how many residents will participate or how much the program will cost the city.

Once that is determined, plans are to develop a budget and schedule a second cleanup in another neighborhood.

Eventually the city hopes to cover all neighborhoods within the 500 acres of the redevelopment area.

“We’ll keep working at it until we get it done,” Hamilton said.

Published July 15, 2015