CRESTVIEW — Economical development may increase with health care consultant and Pensacola Blue Wahoos owner Quint Studer investing up to $35,000 for a revitalization study.
Mason-Dixon Polling & Research Inc. of Jacksonville, will conduct research to develop a statement of vision, mission and values for the Hub City, according to Community Redevelopment Agency Director Brenda Smith. This will be the first time such a study has been conducted in Crestview, she said.
Studer’s $100 million in investments and developments are mostly in the immediate Pensacola area, he said. However, “When I went to Crestview, there was great passion, great enthusiasm for the city,” he said. “It just needed good measurement and data to make it happen.”
The study and its results will be coordinated between Crestview city officials and the Studer Community Institute, which “is focused on improving our community’s quality of life,” its website states. The direction Crestview chooses to go with the results is solely up to the city and its officials, Studer said.
The company uses a series of metrics developed with the University of West Florida to measure the “educational, economic and social well-being of the community,” the institute’s website states.
Studer will meet with area stakeholders Jan. 17 at City Hall to begin research and coordination efforts, Smith said.
“The city as a whole needs an overriding mission statement,” Studer said. Crestview’s individual department heads have clear missions, he added, but without a “single focus,” the town would face growth difficulties.
The study should take less than a month to conduct, Studer said. From there, his firm can work with city officials to “build tactics” and achieve measurable goals.
In addition to the Mason-Dixon survey, the CRA has approved a contract for market assessment by Retail Strategies and a contract with West Florida Regional Planning Council and Atkins to develop a city master plan.
Retail Strategies is a consultant firm that works with cities to identify retail opportunities and create and execute a recruitment strategy, according to the company’s website.
Businesses, such as Target or Kohl’s, look to the research from firms like Retail Strategies to determine if an area is suitable for their business, Smith said. This research uses several metrics including income, current retail establishments, ordinances and demographics.
Anyone can complete the survey located at www.retailstrategies.info/getting-to-know-your-community/
The contract with West Florida Regional Planning Council and Atkins will help the CRA create a master plan, Smith said. Master plans promote a framework for supporting investment, stressing desired change and preserving a town’s character.
Establishing a master plan will help address issues and strategies for destination development in Crestview. Additionally, a master plan is often required for a city to receive statewide and national grants, according to Smith. These grants, she said, can be used for development, public projects or agency funding.
Due to these various projects, Smith said Crestview currently has record opportunity for growth and development.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Investing in progress: