Jason Futch
reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com
The Hamilton County Development Authority (HCDA) is spearheading a transformative initiative to rejuvenate downtown Jasper. This ambitious project invites qualified buyers to submit proposals for four strategically located historic properties.
The effort is to create a district in downtown Jasper that will have a mix of local businesses from restaurants and retail shops to office and residential spaces. According to the press release, the HCDA believes that by attracting forward-thinking investors, the initiative will stimulate economic growth, enhance the aesthetic appeal of downtown Jasper and foster a stronger sense of community pride.
Chadd Mathis, the Economic Development Coordinator for Hamilton County, shared that the project started after an individual had purchased properties in the downtown area and refused to renovate or fix the buildings. “That individual became disgruntled with the City of Jasper administration and council, deciding not to renovate, lease or sell the properties for approximately nine years,” Mathis said.
Mathis said that the holdout from the previous owner led to the result of vacant buildings, blight, deferred maintenance and no downtown activity in that time period.
“I suggested the only way to fix the problem was to get control of the property and implement a community redevelopment project plan much like a CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) would do,” he added. As a result, the buildings were ultimately placed back in control of the county, and now the HCDA is moving forward with the revitalization project.
The HCDA has outlined three specific goals to ensure the project’s success: capital improvements, civic engagement and local preference.
For capital improvements, prospective buyers must demonstrate the financial capacity to address deferred maintenance and implement significant enhancements to the properties. For civic engagement, new property owners should actively engage with other downtown stakeholders to cultivate a shared vision of revitalization and growth. Finally, the HCDA emphasized that local buyers and existing occupants would be given weighed consideration to prioritize community involvement.
With this news, the HCDA hopes that visionary leaders and entrepreneurs will come forward to help in the efforts to revitalize downtown Jasper.
“The short term goal is to stabilize the properties, encourage streetscape improvements, facade improvements, signage and gateways,” Mathis said. “Additional goals are to place the properties back in use with businesses, increase the tax base and fuel opportunities for growth in the future.” Mathis continued, stating the timeline for success is within three years.
There are also plans in place to create a mural in the city, welcoming visitors to Jasper and Hamilton County, along with plans to create more downtown parking, which are underway with the purchase of a .80 acre parcel and demolishing the existing building that was on the property.
Mathis hopes that the renaissance of the downtown area will promote new gathering places, entertainment and overall beautification to the downtown streetscape.
He also said that the plans for the revitalization project have drawn positive receptions from residents and local leaders and stakeholders. “We have partnered with the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners to make this opportunity a reality and we have collaboration from the politicians with the project,” Mathis said.
The HCDA has announced that the following properties are open for Request For Proposal (RFP) submissions:
102 Hatley St. W, Jasper, Fla. (Tax ID: 6008-000): A property of historical significance listed on the State of Florida Historic Registry.
106 1st Ave. SW, Jasper, Fla. (Tax ID: 6054-000): Includes additional adjoining parcels for expanded development potential.
201–205 Hatley St. W, Jasper, Fla. (Tax IDs: 6043-000, 6044-000, 6045-005, 6047-000): A collection of parcels offering multiple opportunities for revitalization.
104 Central Ave. NW, Jasper, Fla. (Tax ID: 6030-000): A key property located in the heart of downtown.
For information about the project or the RFPs available, contact Mathis at (386) 855-1426 or by email at cmathis@hamiltoncda.org.