Crestview, Florida

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  rufusayers (guest)

  This mid-sized city with a population in excess of 19,494 citizens is one of the fastest growing communities in Northwest Florida. Our "quality of life" is second to none within the state. With a population of more than 19,494 citizens, Crestview is located at the junction of three major highways; U.S. 90, State Road 85, and Interstate Highway 10, which resulted in its acclaimed designation as the “Hub City” of northwest Florida. The City is 50 miles east of Pensacola, 120 miles west of Tallahassee, and 30 miles inland from the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. Crestview’s elevation of 235 feet above sea level places it as one of the highest points in the state. It receives 65 inches of rainfall annually...the most in the State of Florida. Also, the city was designated as a Main Street Program Community in 1997 by the Florida Department of State. Crestview's climate is officially described as humid subtropical, with hot, humid summers, and cool to cold winters. In summer, Crestview has some of the hottest temperatures in the state, with an average summer high of 93°F(33°C). Lows in summer average in the high 60s to low 70s, with each year seeing a handful of 100°+ days. The all-time record high is 109°F(42°C), recorded on July 10, 1996. Winters are cold for Florida, and compare to those of interior Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. Highs average in the lower to mid 50s(11°-13°C), and lows average in the lower to mid 30s(near 0°C). The all-time record low is -1°F(-21°C), on February 13, 1899. Snowfall occurs every two to three years on average, however, significant amounts only happen once every 10 years. On Christmas Eve of 1989, Crestview received over 3 inches of snow. As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 14,766 people, 5,297 households, and 3,893 families residing in the city. The population density was 445.4/km² (1,153.7/mi²). There were 5,918 housing units at an average density of 178.5/km² (462.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 74.71% White, 18.41% African American, 0.60% Native American, 2.28% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 1.22% from other races, and 2.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.26% of the population. The population estimate for 2005 was [17,707] people. Crestview is located at 30°45′15″N, 86°34′22″W (30.754211, -86.572650).GR1 According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 33.2 km² (12.8 mi²). 33.2 km² (12.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.23%) is water. The CSX, Inc. railroad runs through Crestview. Parallel with this railroad is the Old Spanish Trail which extends from Jacksonville west to El Paso, Texas, thus being one of the great truck lines of the country and rich in tradition and history of the Indian, French, Spanish and English settlers in this nation. If one should wonder what has happened to make Crestview the thriving, friendly, fast growing city we know today, it might be said that it was a fabled fountain of gold or silver. In actuality, it was the dreams and visions of the staunch and sturdy few who were living here in 1915. These early residents realized the natural advantages offered at this particular site for the building of a city and they set out to provide the foundation for such an undertaking. The City of Crestview formally adopted the Community Redevelopment Agency concept in 1995 for the expressed purpose of development and redevelopment within a defined community redevelopment area, which encompasses all of the downtown area. The CRA Board adopted a Community Redevelopment Plan, which was sanctioned by the Florida Department of Community Affairs. In 1997, the City applied, and was approved, for a Main Street Program designation by the Secretary of State. In 1998, the City hired a full time Main Street Program Director and assisted in the establishment of the Main Street Crestview Association, Inc., whose membership consists of business owners, citizens and other interested parties desiring to revitalize the downtown area. From 1996 through 2003, the City embarked on a three-phase development effort to construct a major streetscape project in the CRA area. All three phases were earmarked for the restoration of Main Street to the tune of $3.7 million, funded by Tax Increment Financing funds, state grants and general revenue funds. The Okaloosa County Veterans Memorial, Inc., an organization established to honor deceased veterans during wartime, spearheaded the effort to erect a War Memorial adjacent to the Okaloosa County Courthouse that was dedicated in March 2003. Meanwhile, business owners and merchants are busy restoring commercial properties to meet the new Florida Building Code. A new zoning code is being formulated to focus on downtown properties to compliment historic preservation efforts underway. Here in Crestview you will find an assortment of comfortable homes, churches, schools, recreational facilities, businesses, and industries all working together as a happy, growing city. The city's public safety departments, under a stable and prosperous city government working to make this city a wonderful place to live, protect all these things while the related services of the city ensure we uphold our commitment to provide services second to none.

  17 years ago | reply | hide comment