The MSBU funding format is available in Seminole County for community wall reconstruction improvement projects designed to benefit unincorporated property owners. Wall reconstruction projects serve an essential public purpose by providing noise reduction, light abatement and boundary identification. The application package provides an overview of the acceptance/application criteria for an MSBU.

Acceptance Criteria: The Municipal Service Benefit Unit Program is authorized to accept and process applications for wall reconstruction through non-ad valorem assessment if the following criteria are met:

• Existence of a damaged, destroyed, and/or deteriorating community wall;
• Community has no means to levy/enforce private assessment for wall reconstruction;
• Requires owner signed Letter of Intent (for temporary easement/leasehold to be granted to the County) documents from 100% of wall-abutting properties;
• Reconstruction material requested is brick, block/stucco, or precast concrete;
• Applicant [1] will provide sealed design/engineering plans suitable for public bid/procurement, [2] substantiate ability to fund preliminary engineering, or [3] requests precast concrete panels that do not require design/engineering
• The property to be benefited is located in unincorporated Seminole County;
• The proposed boundary (properties to be included) includes a minimum of two distinct assessable properties.

Wall versus Fence: A community wall is defined as a permanent upright structure constructed of concrete block, brick or precast concrete. A community fence is defined as a barrier or enclosure usually made of posts and wire or wood that is used to define subdivision/community boundaries. Replacement of fencing structures and upgrading from fence to wall structures are excluded from consideration under the County Administrative Code’s MSBU Program section.

Easements & Leasehold: MSBU wall reconstruction improvements are classified as capital projects and typically require that certain property owners grant specific easement and/or leasehold to cover the preconstruction, demolition, reconstruction, and repayment stages of the wall reconstruction project. The need for various agreements is determined according to ownership status of the land on which demolition and reconstruction will occur. The formal agreement documents required for the project will be prepared by the County Attorney and distributed for owner completion after an application is received and reviewed for preliminary acceptance of the project.

Construction Material: There are three categories of construction material available for wall construction – brick, concrete block, and precast concrete. Many variations are available within each category and are subject to applicant/community liaison preferences. When selecting specific material preferences within a particular category, the identification and selection is the responsibility of the applicant and/or community liaisons. Identification of the specific material is required prior to submitting the application and should be used in obtaining preliminary cost estimates from contractors.

Landscaping, irrigation, electrical service and/or lighting are specifically excluded from the service scope. Additional features of this nature, as well as ongoing maintenance, must be privately funded and coordinated by the applicant or other community representative.

Project Approach: There are three distinct project approaches for wall reconstruction projects when brick or concrete block material is selected; for precast concrete, there is one approach. Project approach designates the project phases to be coordinated by the MSBU Program as follows:

 

Brick or Block:

A: Demolition & Construction;

B: Demolition, Pre-Paid Design & Construction

C: Demolition, Design & Construction

Precast: D: Demolition & Installation

 

Existing MSBU Wall Improvement Projects:

To view photos of previously completed MSBU wall improvement projects, please click on a link below:

• Bel Aire Hills
• Charter Oaks
• Oak Park