CDBG-DR - Owner's Representative and CEI Services for the Century Community Shelter - HS020

This project is to provide programming, preliminary design and CEI services for the Century Emergency Shelter Facility to be located at 720 Hecker Road in Century, Florida.

In September 2020, Hurricane Sally was responsible for dumping between 12” and 24” of rain between September 14th through September 17th in north Escambia County. Tropical force winds lead to widespread wind damage including downed power lines, trees and debris. Many residents in and around the Town of Century were without power for several days following landfall. Historically, storms that have hit northwest Florida brought hurricane force winds, spawned tornados and caused substantial wind damage and flooding.

The Town of Century also experienced widespread damage to their residential neighborhoods and housing stock when an EF-3 tornado hit the Town on February 15, 2016. A survey conducted by Escambia County following the tornado identified 81 homes within the Town limits that were damaged or destroyed. Many of these homes belonged to low-to-moderate income people who lived in substandard housing and were in immediate danger during the storm.

Escambia County received a CDBG-DR Grant to build an emergency shelter that can be used as a multi-purpose facility as well. By building an emergency shelter, the Town of Century can provide the residents with a safe and secure facility, thereby increasing resilience to disasters and reducing, or eliminating, the long-term risk of loss of life, suffering and hardship while also enhancing the protection of its citizens. Escambia County and the Town of Century will work with local non-profit youth organizations to use this facility as a way to encourage youth participation in sports.