Examples of Grant Applications

Good Example of a Narrative/Project Summary:

The A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Highway traverses two counties (72 miles) on the east coast of Florida (See Exhibit A: Corridor Map). The construction project for which funding is being requested is located at the center of the City of Flagler Beach and somewhat mid-point among the twenty mile segment of the byway.

Facilities the project will provide:

National Scenic Byway (NSB) funds are being sought for construction and improvements to existing structures at SR 100 and A1A along the Byway that currently do not offer ADA accessibility or scenic access with boardwalk overlooks to the Coastal Atlantic recreational area along the byway. 

These improvements will include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Extension of the boardwalk along the beach northward from the world famous Flagler Beach Pier.
• Creation of scenic overlooks along the Coastal Atlantic recreational area.
• ADA accessibility to all overlooks as well as boardwalk.
• Improvements for pedestrian and ADA access to the project from west of the A1A byway.
• Educational and informational connectivity to the Historic Museum one block West of the project.
• Educational and informational signage for the byway traveler.

The visitor population in this area is expected to grow substantially because of increasing knowledge of the coastal greenway and the preservation of an increasingly rare "Old Florida" beach environment. This is expected to accelerate with the promotional energies of a Byway Program Administrator who is garnering the support of community groups and neighborhoods to understand and protect the byway. While the local population has easy access to these ocean and river resources, the traveling public does not.

Byway facilities are critically needed, not only for traveling convenience but for completion of the corridor story at every way stop and niche along the byway. Currently, the Friends of A1A are overseeing the finalizing of the implementation of the "Greenway System" funded through NSB grants in 2004. Significant progress in park improvements has occurred with the aid of the county staff during the past year.  Once completed the linkages and resources along the corridor will bind the traveling experience between parklands, waterways and recreational areas along the byway.

In 2006, the City of Flagler Beach purchased many properties along the byway adjacent to the beach in a continued effort to preserve and conserve the natural resources within the City. Purchase of these properties was made possible through a Florida Forever grant received by the City. This proposed project will be constructed on many of those purchased properties. Additionally, in 2006, the City of Flagler Beach adopted their Downtown Master Plan and Design Guidelines which includes an extension of the current boardwalk located at the South of the Flagler Beach Pier to the North, connections along the byway to the Historical Museum, creation of scenic access with boardwalk overlooks to the Coastal Atlantic recreational area along the byway, ADA accessibility, landscaping and streetscaping throughout the downtown core area, the conversion of overhead utilities to underground facilities as well as storm water management in the area overall.

Phase I of the Plan was implemented by the City and completed in August of 2007 at a cost of approximately $1,400,000. This Phase included the utility conversion to underground facilities for the sections located between A1A and Flagler Avenue, North 2nd Street to South 2nd Street and all properties in between. This project is adjacent to the area of this proposed project and in the nucleus of the City and byway. Phase II is in the engineering stage and will implement storm water improvements and streetscaping to another 1100 linear feet adjacent to the proposed project thus creating the opportunity for a walkable community. Construction is slated to begin in September of 2008 and be completed by 2009. Funding for this will not come from NSB funds but rather form local Tax Increment Finance dollars matching State grants for an estimated project cost of $4,500,000. The proposed project for funding will enhance ongoing historic downtown improvement projects, the conservation and appreciation of the intrinsic natural resources along the byway, as well as the seamless continuation of the byway story.

In 2007 the continuation of Phase II Implementation for the "Greenway System" under the guidance of the Flagler County's Parks and Recreation Department and Engineering Departments in partnership with the City of Flagler Beach is almost completed with enhancements built at the North and South of the City. The project proposed for funding in this application will link and provide a seamless continuation of the Phase II Implementation grant currently underway. This project was a part of the overall vision and plan for the byway improvements desired for the Flagler Beach portion of the project but was eliminated due to funding issues and delays beyond the control of the local government. The funding request does not duplicate prior allocations or grants. The CME, the City of Flagler Beach, and Flagler County collaboratively manage the construction and implementation of the byway facilities and interpretive program for this segment of the corridor.

The seamless continuation of the corridor story is in need of facility improvements for this location along the byway to provide connectivity among the Phase II projects currently being constructed at the North and South of the City as well as connectivity between beach and river facilities through SR 100 as well as the western gateway which is located at the Flagler Historical Museum. The Museum serves as the interpretive center and will feature the corridor's story through multimedia displays and other program elements. It is at this location of the corridor that the construction project is being requested for funding.

Knowledge and awareness of facilities, the story and intrinsic resources.

This new byway facility will be integrated with other public parklands through the development of a comprehensive public interpretation program. The concept is to treat the byway corridor as one large park, or greenway system, within which people live, work, and play and to introduce the traveler to the corridor at strategic gateways along the byway. The interpretive program, under implementation in varying stages, uses a multi-media approach with a combination of themed signage (way finding and directional), kiosks, brochures, a web site and other media to educate the public. The program, now aggressively monitored by the Byway Program Administrator, tightly binds the lands and facilities together with their unique histories, shared ecology, and the stewardship principles used to preserve the corridor's assets for future generations.

The gaps filled with this project.

The construction project identified above will finish further the original plans for the "Gateway System" as originally conceived. By funding this project, the waterway accesses and views afforded by this project will assist in unifying the byway corridor in a cohesive, interpretative manner. Travelers will learn a great deal about the natural resources through the signage program at the locations and they will see how these resources contribute to the overall community. The byway leaders are in process of developing a comprehensive wayfinding sign plan with use of traditional and technological methods.  Equally important, the project will provide easy access to the ocean in a coastal environment that is exploding with beach development. It will preserve the true physical form of the coastal ecology and the beauty of "Old Florida."

Maintenance of Facilities

The project will be maintained by the City of Flagler Beach for physical improvements and project coordination. The continued planning for integration of resources and interpretive program development will be managed by the Friends of A1A and the local CMEs. The City of Flagler Beach will also contribute with this effort through the sponsorship its ongoing support of the Flagler Beach Historical Museum. Volunteer assistance through monitoring and clean-up days is the norm and has been supported by the City of Flagler Beach. Civic organizations have adopted parts of the byway and adjoining parks for clean-up days and events. Many local, regional, and state organizations also use the public properties in the corridor frequently for learning experiences and for stewardship activities. Additionally, the state resource agencies and the University of Florida are very involved in assisting the community with managing the ecological and historical features of the corridor. All of these activities complement Flagler Beach's regular maintenance of its resources. Volunteer recognition programs are planned by the Friends of A1A to nurture the energies of its valued stewards.

Partner Support

All of the involved civic groups, governments, area businesses, educational institutions, and private citizens have wholeheartedly supported this project and enjoyed a wonderful National Dedication Event for future projects at the Town of Marineland on November 4, 2006.  With the formation of the Friends of A1A as the overseeing nonprofit guardian of the byway, the future of new projects and support is gaining sustainability. The City of Flagler Beach pledged and appropriated over $75,000 as cash match for the Phase I and II grants. This project pledge is $93,380, This speaks well for the City with a small population. The Friends of A1A has doubled its volunteer base over the past year and garnered financial support from area partners.  Notably, area legislators and statewide and regional organizations recognize the significance of the byway to Florida's economic future. 

The Friends of A1A have a long history of partnerships with other institutions and agencies working to preserve and create the greenway and gateway systems for the byway visitors. The Friends of A1A continues to pursue other funding sources, including Transportation Enhancement grants and other local, state, and federal grants for byway improvements. In 2007 a Wildflower grant was secured enabling byway leaders to facilitate planting over 550 pounds of wildflower seeds in furthering its byway objectives for beautification. All of these public investments directly benefit byway visitors. The Friends of A1A continues to follow its  Financial Sustainability Plan and has increased its revenues respectably gaining three admiral donors and three ensign donors.

There will be a defined experience for this National Scenic Byway after implementation of the "Gateway System" and interpretive program. Visitors will be made aware of the multimodal aspect of accessing scenic, natural, historic, and recreational resources of the corridor. There is no admission fee to the majority of sites, the exceptions being the state parks and ocean pier. The facility improvements at this location in Flagler Beach will enhance the corridor story by linking ocean and river resources for the traveling public. It will provide visual stimulation and cognitive recognition of the natural resources available along A1A and educate the byway traveler about the following:

• The Entire National Scenic Byways Program
• The A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway's grand story and vision
• The Flagler corridor linkages of resources through its "Greenway System" and "Gateway Systems"
• The A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway's intrinsic resources (historic, archeological, environmental, scenic, recreational, and cultural)
• The Friends of A1A non-profit organization

The Gateway Boardwalk Promenade with ADA facility enhancements will provide the byway traveler with desirable rest areas to take in the natural wonders of the corridor. Interpretive signage and kiosks planned and under development will allow easy location of the new and improved Greenway site. This project will be constructed in concert with the almost complete Phase II Greenway and Gateway System facilities and compete the vision as planned.

Through surveys, statistical analysis, and comprehensive plan assessment, it was determined that the majority of byway visitors are not local residents or even Florida residents. The A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Highway has an acceptable level of service for parks for its local residents, but the influx of byway visitors for the future calls for byway facilities to be enhanced or created. The Phase I and Phase II grants address this need. The current project refine that need by restoring eliminated plans from the overall vision resulted during the many public meetings and charrette.