Selling or Buying a home? Choose a Realtor who has been endorsed by Florida Realtors as one of the Best of the Best! This endorsement is Florida Realtors’ highest professional honor, earned by top Realtors as demonstrated through their sales, volunteerism, advocacy and ethical conduct. Out of over 238,000 Realtors in Florida, only 20 are Board Certified!
With over 30 years of real estate experience, John’s professional knowledge, attention to detail and genuine concern for his Sellers and Buyers are evident by the many accolades he has earned over the years. Contact him today to discuss your next sale or purchase.
Choose a Realtor who has been endorsed by Florida Realtors as one of the Best of the Best! This endorsement is Florida Realtors’ highest professional honor, earned by top Realtors as demonstrated through their sales, volunteerism, advocacy and ethical conduct. Out of over 238,000 Realtors in Florida, only 35 are Board Certified!
JOHN WAAS
BROKER/OWNER, JOHN WAAS REALTY (850) 602-4432 johnwaasrealtor@yahoo.com
With over 30 years of real estate experience, John’s professional knowledge, attention to detail and genuine concern for his Sellers and Buyers are evident by the many accolades he has earned over the years. Contact him today to discuss your next sale or purchase.
ON THE COVER: Aerial view of Bruce Beach and Downtown Pensacola.
Photo by Sean Mullins, Pensacola Vibes.
OUT
Celebrating the Wins That Lift Us All
America Magic Elevates Pensacola as a Premier Sailing Hub
America Magic, the renowned sailing team, has made Pensacola its winter training home. The city’s ideal conditions and steady breezes with open waters have helped the team fine-tune their cutting-edge AC75 boats.
The local community has embraced America Magic, celebrating their impressive wins and contributions to Pensacola’s sailing legacy. With multiple victories in prestigious regattas, the team continues to inspire local sailors and attract global attention to Pensacola’s waters. As America Magic races toward future triumphs, Pensacola plays a key role in their success, strengthening its reputation as a world-class sailing destination.
THE NEW
PALAFOX
Revitalizing Pensacola’s Iconic Street
The New Palafox project revitalizes Pensacola’s historic Palafox Street, enhancing its appeal through modern upgrades while preserving its charm. Focused on walkability and aesthetics, the project introduces wider sidewalks, improved lighting, and lush landscaping, creating a welcoming environment for pedestrians. The redesign supports local businesses by encouraging outdoor dining and retail, transforming the street into a bustling hub for community events and daily activities. With a blend of historic preservation and contemporary upgrades, The New Palafox ensures the street remains a central destination, promoting economic growth and enriching downtown Pensacola’s vibrant culture.
Renderings by Jerry Pate Design
Pensacola logo will be seen worldwide
Editor’s Note
What a year it has been for downtown Pensacola. From new businesses, hotels and residential developments to large-scale infrastructure and revitalization projects, downtown Pensacola is experiencing rapid growth.
Our downtown streets are full of life and bustling with new business. An eclectic mix of restaurants, bars, boutiques, retailers and coffee shops are scattered throughout our small but dense urban core, providing new and exciting experiences along with opportunities for economic development. From the newly revitalized Bruce Beach Park to the recently announced Hard Rock Hotel and multi-story apartment complex being constructed at the Community Maritime Park, the city’s urban core is thriving and there’s no sign of it slowing down.
In our 20th Annual issue of NW Florida’s Business Climate Magazine, we explore some of the new developments and major infrastructure projects driving the evolution of our growing city. Pensacola’s main attraction has long been it’s sugary white beaches and pristine Gulf waters, but today, downtown Pensacola is making a name for itself as a destination as well.
The number of individuals residing and spending time in downtown Pensacola is also increasing, and within the coming years, downtown visitors will begin to see an abundance of new living options. From the newly completed Palmilla luxury apartments to new multi-story hotels and condo developments being constructed along Garden and Main streets, downtown Pensacola is booming with new real estate developments.
It’s an exciting time to live in Pensacola as we experience the landscape of our city begin to transform, bringing in new jobs, businesses, construction opportunities and housing developments. Here’s to the history and perseverance of our historic Panhandle city and to its bright and exciting future!
Morgan Cole, Editor
OWNER / PUBLISHER
Malcolm Ballinger malcolm@ballingerpublishing.com
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Kelly Oden kelly@ballingerpublishing.com
EDITOR Morgan Cole morgan@ballingerpublishing.com
ART DIRECTOR Ian Lett ian@ballingerpublishing.com
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P R O U D L Y S E R V I N G T H E P E N S A C O L A A R E A F O R 4 2 Y E A R S
P e n s a c o l a ' s 4 5 0 - y e a r h e r i t a g e i s a s o u r c e o f p r i d e f o r
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N o r t h w e s t F l o r i d a ' s l a r g e s t i n d e p e n d e n t l y o w n e d r e a l e s t a t e
c o m p a n i e s , o u r t e a m o f o v e r 5 0 p r o f e s s i o n a l s b r i n g s m o r e
t h a n 2 , 0 0 0 y e a r s o f c o m b i n e d e x p e r i e n c e t o e v e r y
t r a n s a c t i o n . A t C o n n e l l & C o m p a n y R e a l t y , w e d o n ' t j u s t
m e e t e x p e c t a t i o n s — w e e x c e e d t h e m .
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JAN.
AYOUR EMPLOYEES ARE BURNED OUT what are you doing about it?
re you on the verge of burnout? You’re not alone. Businesses everywhere are facing a crisis. According to Gallup’s 2024 State of the Global Workplace Report, 52% of employees are actively looking for new jobs, and a staggering 41% report feeling stressed every single day. The reality? Companies are losing their best talent to burnout and disengagement at alarming rates. If your organization isn’t addressing employee wellbeing, you’re already behind.
Now more than ever, businesses need to prioritize creating work environments that foster resilience, emotional intelligence, and engagement. e cost of doing nothing is too high—low productivity, constant turnover, and the loss of top talent are draining companies’ potential. Luckily, in our area we have solutions that can take that stress out of your back.
In Pensacola, Empathic Practice o ers corporate training programs designed to transform overwhelmed teams into thriving, high-performing units.
Emotional Intelligence: The Critical Skill Your Workplace is Missing
To survive and thrive in today’s competitive market, emotional intelligence (EI) is not just an asset—it’s a necessity. At Empathic Practice, we equip teams with the skills that are essential for e ective communication, strong leadership, and reduced workplace con ict. Our Emotional Intelligence and So Skills Training builds core competencies like empathy, self-regulation, and relationship management—vital to any successful organization.
The Benefits of EI Training:
Emotionally intelligent employees are better equipped to manage their emotions, leading to clear communication, fewer con icts, and more cohesive teamwork.
Better Decision-Making Under Pressure: EI empowers employees to remain calm, think critically, and make informed decisions, even in high-stress situations.
Resilience in the Face of Challenges: Teams with high emotional intelligence are more adaptable, can better navigate organizational changes, and maintain productivity despite adversity.
Our proprietary HAP Model (Holistic Alignment Practices) takes emotional awareness and emotional regulation to the next level by aligning these skills with intentional, purposeful action. is holistic approach helps individuals and teams not only survive workplace stress but actively thrive in it.
Corporate Retreats: Recharging Your Team
Sometimes, the best way to combat burnout is by giving your team a much-needed break.
Our Half-Day Corporate Retreats blend relaxation with professional development, o ering a reset for your team that combines mindfulness, yoga, sound baths, and breathwork. e result? A rejuvenated workforce ready to tackle challenges with fresh energy and creativity.
Retreat Highlights Include:
Sound Bath erapy: Immersive sound waves that calm the nervous system and promote deep relaxation.
Guided Meditation and Yoga: Practices to enhance clarity, reduce anxiety, and improve mental and physical exibility.
Breathwork for Resilience: Techniques to help employees regulate their nervous systems, sharpen focus, and boost overall wellbeing.
Why Your Business Needs to Act Now
e 2024 State of the Global Workplace Report shows that low employee engagement costs the global economy a staggering $8.9 trillion annually. Investing in your team’s wellbeing isn’t just about caring for your people—it’s about safeguarding your business’s future.
Take Action with Empathic Practice
Don’t wait until burnout becomes the norm. Our approach not only addresses immediate performance issues but also fosters longterm personal and professional growth. By enhancing emotional intelligence, developing so skills, and providing tools for stress management, we help organizations create dynamic, engaged workforces capable of leading with con dence and thriving in today’s competitive market.
Empower your workforce with the skills they need for lasting success—both in and out of the workplace.
Greater Pensacola Chamber’s 134th Annual Meeting Highlights Key Business Initiatives
Todd Thompson President/CEO
The Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce is the oldest Chamber of Commerce in the state of Florida. Founded in 1889, your Chamber has always been a place for local leaders to convene and address issues important to the business community. Our 134th Annual Meeting, held in September at the Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Resource Center, featured updates on three key areas that the Chamber has focused on over the past year. Updates were provided by Chamber board members who chair our working committees.
be hosting events surrounding November’s EntreCon to educate and connect founders. Keep an eye on the Chamber’s social media platforms for more information about these events.
Rick Byars shared the progress made by the Chamber’s Economic Development Committee, focusing on the work of the new Northwest Florida Business Alliance. The mission of the Business Alliance is to bring like-minded business leaders together to discuss issues that are important to the business community. At these meetings, local economic development professionals provide updates on their projects and members discuss what they are seeing in terms of economic growth. The Business Alliance is chaired by University of West Florida President Martha Saunders and Vice President and Florida Power and Light General Manager JT Young.
Over the past few years, workforce development has been an issue that our members consistently tell us is a challenge. At the Annual Meeting, Workforce Development Committee Chair Ildi Hosman provided an update on the progress of the committee and the collaboration with CareerSource Escarosa to address workforce challenges in our region. Looking into 2025, the Workforce Development Committee will look to grow that collaboration with the business community, educational providers, and other stakeholders.
The Greater Pensacola area has a burgeoning innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem. At our Annual Meeting, Lloyd Reshard highlighted the efforts of the Innovation and Entrepreneurial Committee with an emphasis on connecting the startup community through events and making resources available to founders. The Chamber’s Innovation and Entrepreneurial Committee is supporting Startup Source Pensacola, a collaboration between local organizations focused on developing the entrepreneurial
During his remarks, Chairman of the Greater Pensacola Chamber Board of Directors David Deliman stated, "The Chamber is proud of the work we are doing on behalf of over 1125 members in the Greater Pensacola area. From advocating for business-friendly public policy and supporting our local military to developing a stronger workforce, the Chamber strives to make the Pensacola area an even better place to do business, live and play."
The Chamber honored award winners at the Annual Meeting as well. Torgersen Causey Insurance was recognized as the 2024 Small Business of the Year. ReadyKids! was named the 2024 Non-Profit of the Year. NeRissa Bates was named the 2024 Ambassador of the Year. Our Board Member of the Year for 2024 is Rick Byars.
For more information about the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce, our programs and how to become a member, visit our website at pensacolachamber.com.
GROWING PAINS & GAINS
A Look at Downtown Pensacola’s Commercial Real Estate Boom
By Danny Zimmern
Downtown Pensacola’s commercial real estate market is on an upward trajectory, with growth showing no signs of slowing down. What was once a nearly nonexistent downtown has become one of Northwest Florida's most soughtafter destinations, with growing interest in commercial spaces driving further development. However, as the market continues to thrive, new challenges are emerging that investors and developers will need to consider in the upcoming year.
Expansion and Demand
The growth in downtown Pensacola has been steady over the last decade, in part due to a significant increase in residents. Just 10 years ago, the downtown population was about 600, but that number has since skyrocketed to more than 5,000. This surge has intensified demand for retail services such as restaurants, supermarkets, fitness centers and other consumerbased businesses.
Downtown’s substantial growth can also be linked to a cultural shift following the pandemic, where remote work allowed people to move to desirable places like Pensacola without the need for an on-site job. Unlike in the past when people moved to where the jobs were, businesses are now relocating to where the people are. This phenomenon has most certainly contributed to the rise in downtown residents and is encouraging companies to follow the growing population.
The transition into remote work also left behind an abundance of office space after 2020, which has since created new opportunities for businesses to establish themselves in the downtown area.
Key Developments Driving Growth
Some of the most impactful upcoming developments include The Waverly on Spring Street, a luxury residential community, and a highly anticipated downtown grocery store, which will be located on the southwest corner of Garden and Spring streets. John Buzzell, managing partner of Bearing Point Properties and developer of The Waverly, is also involved in redeveloping former New World Landing into a Hilton-branded hotel.
Another exciting addition is the upcoming Portside Pickle to be located at the Port of Pensacola. Once complete, it will feature a 40,000-square-foot indoor facility with 12 indoor pickleball courts and an outdoor space featuring cabanas, waterfront food service and eight tournament-level courts overlooking the water.
One of the most intriguing prospects is the potential sale and renovation of the Crowne Plaza Pensacola Grand Hotel. This property has been a complicated piece of Pensacola’s commercial
Portside Pickle courtesy of Whitesell-Green Construction
Courtesy of City of Pensacola
real estate inventory, but with new development and a focus on downtown revitalization, it could be a game changer for the area’s hospitality sector.
Challenges to Overcome
As downtown Pensacola continues to grow, there are a few key challenges the city must navigate, chief among them being parking. While the zoning overlay in downtown provides a 100 percent discount on parking requirements for local businesses, the limited number of public and private parking spaces has been an issue
for bringing in national brands and franchise establishments. The general rule of thumb across the country is to provide one parking spot per 250 feet of retail or restaurant space, and one parking spot per bedroom for a residential building. The availability of parking is often a determining factor for businesses looking to invest downtown, as it affects foot traffic and accessibility for both residents, visitors and the working staff.
Another challenge the city faces with an increasing population is
About Danny Zimmern
adapting land development and zoning regulations. Recently, the city passed a new building height bonus ordinance allowing developers to surpass standard height limits if certain requirements are met, including if the project offers “superior building and site design” or affordable housing. As more residential units are built, services such as retail stores, dry cleaners and salons are expected to follow, so city planners must carefully manage zoning regulations to keep up with the demand.
What’s Next for Downtown Pensacola?
Downtown Pensacola has become a vibrant area during business hours with office and retail, and continues to thrive in the evenings and on weekends with a variety of restaurants, nightclubs and arts offerings. The city will be tasked with a balancing act of maintaining Pensacola’s unique character while embracing new commercial opportunities, including the addition of corporate retailers and restaurants. So far, downtown remains a hub for locally owned businesses, but as real estate values increase, larger chains will undoubtedly pursue opening new locations along and near Palafox Street.
The appeal of downtown Pensacola as a destination for both businesses and tourism is evident in our infrastructure improvements, such as the airport’s terminal expansions and new hotels that are being built. Local investors should take notice – real estate remains a stable investment in this part of Florida, and with property values continuing to appreciate, downtown Pensacola will likely remain a hotspot for commercial real estate for many years.
Danny Zimmern is the co-owner of The Zimmern Team, part of Levin Rinke Realty – the leading real estate brokerage in the greater Pensacola region. Zimmern leads Levin Rinke Realty’s commercial real estate division, formed after The Zimmern Team joined the firm in August. With almost 30 years in commercial real estate, Zimmern experience features numerous developments in downtown Pensacola and the regions, which include more than 40 U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) transactions and notable success in retail, including partnerships with more than 30 quick-service restaurants and five Publix grocery-anchored centers. His expertise spans the Gulf Coast’s resort and residential market, involving more than 300 investment condo transactions and numerous multifamily developments. Zimmern has built his commercial business through a relationship model, rather than being only transactional. If you need something in Pensacola or Northwest Florida, if Zimmern doesn’t know the answer, he knows who to call – and people take Danny’s calls. For more information about Danny Zimmern and Levin Rinke Realty, visit levinrinkerealty.com.
The Waverly courtesy of Bearing Point Properties
The Waverly courtesy of Bearing Point Properties
The Port of Pensacola
A Key Asset to the Community and Region
By Clark Merritt, Director of the Port of Pensacola
The Port of Pensacola has been an essential part of the city since 1754, playing a key role in Northwest Florida’s growth and development. Today, it continues to be a vital economic engine, home to more than 20 businesses representing a variety of industries. Among the key players are Cemex, Martin Marietta Materials, GE Vernova Wind Energy, Offshore Inland Marine and the American Magic Sailing team. These companies range from importing construction materials to assembling renewable energy components, highlighting the Port’s versatility as a hub for business and innovation.
In addition to these large corporations, the Port hosts several other important businesses. Pate Stevedore, a leader in shipping logistics; TIMAB, a French importer of minerals; Pensacola Bay Pilots, which provides maritime navigation services; and HMS Global Maritime, a passenger ferry operator, all contribute to the Port’s diverse user base. The University of West Florida (UWF) also maintains a presence at the Port, fostering partnerships between education and industry.
One of the most exciting developments at the Port is the construction of the American Magic Sailing Team’s
high-performance sailing center, a 55,000-square-foot facility focused on cutting-edge marine technology development for professional sailing and other marine research. The multimillion-dollar complex will also serve as a training center for professional and amateur sailors, equipped with simulators, fabrication shops, physical training centers and dining facilities. The 150-person American Magic Team is currently in Spain competing in the 37th America’s Cup regatta, held every four years. Returning to Pensacola in 2025, American Magic will consolidate all operations at their new facility, which is expected to be completed in late fall 2025.
Photos courtesy of Port of Pensacola
IMPORT AND EXPORT ACTIVITY AND GROWTH
The past three years have marked significant growth for the Port of Pensacola. Vessel traffic and cargo volume have both increased, underscoring the Port’s growing importance in regional commerce. Between Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 and FY 2023, vessel traffic rose by 11 percent, while cargo import/export surged by 24 percent. This growth is attributed to the rising demand for construction materials, such as cement by Cemex and GE Vernova’s wind energy components for assembly at their North Pensacola facility, which are then distributed for wind energy projects across the United States.
Financially, the Port has maintained steady performance, with revenues primarily coming from vessel and cargo fees, as well as long- and short-term leases. In FY 2021, the Port generated $3.0 million in revenue, followed by $2.95 million in FY 2022 and a notable increase to $3.39 million in FY 2023. These consistent revenue streams, combined with effective financial management, have allowed the Port to operate without long-term debt or financial assistance from the City of Pensacola’s general fund for more than 19 years.
COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL SUPPORT
The Port of Pensacola is not only a thriving business hub but also a valued part of the community. In the 2019 Portside Plan, 73 percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the Port is a "Strategic Community and Regional Asset." This overwhelming support shows how deeply the Port is ingrained in the local economy and the broader vision for the city’s waterfront.
Additionally, 76 percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that investment in the Port and maritime industries brings tangible benefits to the community and region. The Port’s ability to create jobs, support local businesses and foster industry partnerships is widely recognized and appreciated. Moreover, 68 percent of respondents agreed that the Port’s presence and activities align with their vision for Pensacola’s waterfront. In alignment
with the 2019 plan, a “hybrid” port is being realized—combining traditional maritime and cargo activities with the redevelopment of some of the Port’s unused northern property, which may see non-cargo-focused development. The marine technology sector is a key focus area for the Port as American Magic ramps up operations.
LOOKING FORWARD
The future of the Port of Pensacola is well diversified and focused on increasing cargo throughput, developing as a hub for marine technology, and creating new leisure activities for the public. With the many exciting projects coming online in 2025, the Port is positioning itself as a leader in both maritime commerce and alignment with the community’s vision for the waterfront. Its diverse business base, stable financial position and strong community support make it a key player in the economic prosperity of Pensacola and Northwest Florida.
PENSACOLA IN MOTION
City Initiatives to Improve Downtown Safety and Walkability
By Darien Hardy
The City of Pensacola is a community filled with abundant opportunities to explore history, nature and culture within a relatively small, easily walkable footprint. To help make the city more pedestrian and bike-friendly, The Pensacola Active Transportation Plan (ATP), known as Pensacola In Motion, is developing a blueprint to help provide accessible choices for people moving around the city.
Pensacola’s beautiful beaches and strong economy helped Pensacola make the top 100 list of America’s Best Cities. A thriving economy and a growing population in downtown and other parts of the city have created an increased demand for safer streets where walking and biking are just as viable as driving
A recent online survey conducted by the city revealed that while most people in the city travel by car, many prefer the ability to walk, bike or take public transit if a safe and convenient option is available.
Over the decades, the city’s transportation network has evolved from establishing a street grid, deep water port, streetcar lines and a passenger rail to creating larger roads for moving automobiles quickly and, recently, improved streets for walkability. Pensacola has a unique opportunity to continue to celebrate its original identity by reinventing the existing public spaces, parks and streets. The robust downtown landscape also provides the opportunity to establish trails and paths that connect
different areas of the city for residents and visitors to safely and comfortably access and enjoy the city's natural beauty, history and local businesses.
The city survey also revealed that eight percent of households located within the city do not own a vehicle, and 28 percent of individuals in the city have some type of disability. As the city continues to implement more improvements, it must also work to remove some of the barriers created in the past to provide greater access to jobs, food, education, healthcare and other resources for those who may rely on walking, biking or public transit.
The ATP is an important next step in realizing the vision for future mobility in the city, and its vision is ambitious— to offer everyone safe mobility choices and access to opportunities. The guiding principles of the ATP will enhance future mobility initiatives. The plan was implemented to improve the safety, comfort, and access for people who walk, bike or use other self-propelled modes of transportation.
The ATP also identifies solutions that will make moving around city streets safer and more comfortable. The program is designed to improve access and promote placemaking through meaningful projects that fill gaps in the city transportation network, considering everyone’s needs to develop equitable solutions.
PENSACOLA’S HISTORY, CURRENT MOBILITY PATTERNS AND ATP UPGRADE BENEFITS
Prior to the era of the automobile, the city was designed to be friendly to pedestrians and cyclists. Post-WWII, car infrastructure was built on top of the existing landscape in downtown Pensacola and similar cities all over America. For several decades, the city has added more automobile lanes downtown, created one-way streets and increased speed limits—all taking space from sidewalks and people. All of these changes were made to push cars in during the day and out at night, which was to the detriment of what Bike Pensacola Executive Director Christian Wagley calls “cities for people.”
“In the last 15 years or so, there’s been an effort in Pensacola to start to transition and reclaim space for people because they want to walk and bike—and we all know the economic, environmental and societal benefits that those things bring to cities,” Wagley said.
Connected communities stimulate economic growth by promoting business development and investments, attracting and retaining workers and appealing to tourists and visitors. Commercial properties and retail establishments in pedestrian-friendly areas have proven more profitable and walkable and bikeable neighborhoods have higher property values.
Replacing vehicular travel with more opportunities for biking, walking and rolling also reduces pollution from greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel consumption, which can result in improved air quality. The ATP would allow more designs incorporating green infrastructure to improve the city’s stormwater management and retention and reduce the urban heat island effect from excess pavement. Walkable and bikeable communities contribute positively to health and active living by allowing people to easily incorporate physical activity into their daily routines. Moderate daily exercise can improve overall health outcomes, reduce the risk of chronic health issues and improve physical and mental health. Designs that promote slower travel speeds and positively influence travel behavior create a safe environment for all types of travelers. Correctly implemented bicycle/ pedestrian facilities and intersection crossings can help reduce the number and severity of crashes. The city’s ATP will improve safety for these more vulnerable populations who rely on walking, biking and public transit.
PENSACOLA’S MOBILITY CHALLENGES AND ATP’S RECOMMENDED SOLUTIONS
Pensacola’s downtown core is the most walkable and bikeable areas in the city because it was designed in a street grid that was laid out in the pre-WWII era. All the streets connect within this grid at right angles, making it safer for cyclists.
“You can get anywhere you want to go between two points on a map without getting on a busy road,” Wagley explained. “It’s how I live. I walk and bike everywhere. I can bike anywhere within that area. I don’t have the horrible experience of riding on a busy four-lane, high-speed road like you do in the suburbs.”
Wagley noted that many challenges for accessible mobility arise within the suburban patterns the closer you get to state roads like Fairfield Drive in Pensacola. The subdivisions often have cul-de-sacs, leaving the roads disconnected.
“Any trip anyone might need to take on these roads—even by car—requires going back out on a main road that’s very busy and very hostile,” Wagley explained. “No one wants to be walking or biking on these roads; no one is comfortable on these roads.”
Safety is a main concern for many Pensacolians. According to the ATP, in the last five years, 28 people died (including 10 who were walking or bicycling) and 115 were seriously injured (including 36 who were walking or bicycling) on Pensacola streets. This equates to about six deaths and 23 serious injuries occurring on city streets each year.
“If you ask any resident if the cars are going too fast or driving [at a normal speed] outside their door, they’ll tell you they're going too fast, and it’s a safety issue,” Wagely said. “Cars are going too fast. We’re having accidents, whether that’s between two cars or cars and pedestrians and cyclists.”
With more people using the streets to get to work or school, visit shops and restaurants and explore the city’s naturescape for recreation, these experiences must be safe and comfortable for all. While offering guidance that improves sidewalks, bicycle facilities, trails and crossings, the ATP also includes traffic calming measures that encourage slower vehicle travel speeds (i.e., creating friction for drivers with raised crosswalks or traffic circles in intersections). Coordinated design elements combined with education efforts will help create safe places to bike and walk.
In addition to traffic calming, the ATP offers strategic recommendations to create a comfortable transportation mobility network.
To achieve desired operating speeds, it’s imperative that streets are designed appropriately. Not all streets should be designed the same, and they should take into account where they are in the city. Roadway design standards set the basis for speed limits, so the opportunity to reduce speeds through design, without significantly reducing travel time, is important.
Intersections and crossings are places where vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians intermingle. They are also high conflict points, which can create safety concerns for those driving, walking, bicycling or wheeling. These locations are also common places for pedestrian and bicycle crashes, which, oftentimes based on speed, can be fatal or cause injury. The ATP aims to provide safer crossings and intersections by limiting the amount of time a pedestrian is in the roadway, forcing vehicles to drive slower and adding more crossing opportunities.
A key strategic recommendation for the future is to develop a connected bicycle network. The priority is to focus on connecting destinations and places of interest. The network should build onto the ATP’s other recommendations—safe streets and intersections. Where speeds or vehicle volumes are higher, bike facilities should be physically protected. For slower speed and low-stress streets, neighborhood greenways/shared streets or bicycle boulevards can be applied. Wagley expressed the need for safe connections across state roadways.
“When you talk to people in neighborhoods like in North Hill or East Hill especially, they’ll say ‘Hey, I feel pretty comfortable walking or biking around my neighborhood, but I don’t feel comfortable trying to go anywhere beyond my neighborhood,’” Wagley explained. “They don’t feel comfortable getting across those state roadways, so that’s where we need those connections with improved crosswalks and dedicated signals. It’s important to note that these state roads can be a real detriment to people moving safely around the city without a car.”
As Pensacola continues to grow and the demand for choices increases, there is an opportunity to create a network of safe streets for people walking, bicycling and using other self-propelled modes of transportation in addition to driving and taking transit. Like a house with good bones, Pensacola’s transportation network has a strong foundation that will continue to transform over time. Many mobility initiatives are in the works now, including the New Palafox Street Project. Read more about them here and check out the city’s website to learn more about the Pensacola In Motion ATP at cityofpensacola.com.
PENSACOLA’S UPCOMING MOBILITY INITIATIVES
DOWNTOWN PENSACOLA WATERFRONT CONNECTOR TRAIL (FLORIDA’S SUN TRAIL PROGRAM)
The City of Pensacola recently submitted a grant application to help fund more than two miles of paved trails in downtown Pensacola as part of Florida’s SUN (Shared Use Non-Motorized) Trail Program.
“The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is currently in the design phase of a multi-use trail on Bayfront Parkway right now,” City of Pensacola Transportation Planner Caitlin Cerame said.
The proposed project called the Downtown Pensacola Waterfront Connector Trail, is broken down into two phases. The first phase is the construction of a 1.1mile trail that would extend from South Tarragona Street almost to the General Daniel 'Chappie' James, Jr. Bridge. The FDOT has already funded the design of phase one. Phase two is the design and construction of a 1.36-mile trail from South Pace Boulevard to South Tarragona Street. Both phases would connect to another paved, protected bike lane on Main Street in what is called the Hashtag Project. The other part of the Hashtag Project includes another paved trail on Cedar Street, which runs directly south of Main Street.
“It’s made up of a lot of smaller projects like the Bayfront trail that is being designed and the Hashtag Project,” Cerame explained. “Those are all part of what we’re calling the Downtown Waterfront Connector Trail. Its purpose is to activate the waterfront through a continuous bicycle and pedestrian trail.”
Learn more about the Downtown Waterfront Connector Trail at cityofpensacola.com.
THE NEW PALAFOX PROJECT
The city has unveiled plans to increase the safety and walkability of downtown Pensacola’s iconic Palafox Street.
“It’s a crown jewel of the city right now, and it is our prime business corridor,” City of Pensacola Engineer Brad Hinote said. “It’s one of our biggest attractions. The businesses along Palafox Street would pop up first on a Google search of what visitors should see in Pensacola. That road,
and that corridor, has always been a focal point. The New Palafox is all about how we can maintain or enhance the business profitability while also getting patrons to their businesses safely and comfortably.”
In August, Mayor D.C. Reeves revealed the conceptual designs for the new Palafox — a project to completely revamp Palafox Street that will improve safety, increase the area’s walkability and make it more pedestrian-friendly.
This includes bigger sidewalks, revamping crosswalks, planting additional trees and other much-needed aesthetic improvements.
The bid process and awarding of the bid are anticipated to begin in early 2025. Construction is slated to start in the spring/ summer of 2025, and the completion of the project is yet to be determined. For progress updates and to learn more about the project, visit thenewpalafox.com.
GONZALEZ STREET SHAREWAY
In 2020, Bike Pensacola, a local coalition of bicyclists, bike clubs and bike shops, identified Gonzalez Street as the ideal roadway to improve as a bicycle boulevard or shared-use corridor. Gonzalez Street is a residential road with low vehicle volumes and low speeds, and is one of few such streets running across the city uninterrupted by the Interstate.
Bike Pensacola has been advocating for low-cost traffic calming and beautification measures to transform Gonzalez Street into a 4-mile-long bicycle boulevard— known as the Gonzalez Shareway—across the city that prioritizes non-motorized transportation and recreation without restricting motor vehicles.
In July 2021, Bike Pensacola received an American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Community Challenge Grant that would support the Gonzalez Street Shareway Project in a one-day test of a shared corridor that will help connect people and neighborhoods across Pensacola by demonstrating a safe roadway where residents can walk, run, bike and visit neighbors. To learn more about the Gonzalez Street Shareway project, visit cityofpensacola.com or bikepensacola.org.
Executive Director of Financial Operations
A Bold Future
Maritime Park Expands with New Hotel and Luxury Apartments
By Nicole Willis
A NEW DEVELOPMENT is in the works that will permanently change the skyline of downtown Pensacola. Pensacola’s Community Maritime Park will see significant changes with the recent approval of plans for a REVERB by Hard Rock® hotel and a new 12-story luxury apartment complex.
The recently announced project will bring a dynamic mix of entertainment, hospitality and residential options to downtown Pensacola.
Spearheaded by The Dawson Company (doing business as Inspired Communities of Florida), the mixed-use development was approved by the Pensacola City Council in August, and is now in its planning phase.
The Dawson Company is a second-generation real estate development firm that has worked on a variety of projects throughout the country, including here in Pensacola. The company has played a major role in the development of other properties throughout the city, including the Maritime Park Office Building, Southtowne Apartments, the Urban Core Office Building and The 52 World.
“We used to focus on larger markets, such as Atlanta, which is where we started, and we've done pretty big developments across the country.
Now, our focus has transitioned to tertiary and quaternary markets. We’ve done some work in Cincinnati, we looked at Baltimore and we're potentially doing some work in Rochester and Huntsville, and, of course, Pensacola. In terms of our role in the maritime park development, we are the lead developer and owner for that development. We won the rights to lot numbers three, four, five, six and eight,” President and COO of The Dawson Company Tamara Bowens said.
The council voted 7-0 to approve the 100-year lease after adding an amendment that requires at least 70 percent of the street-level of the building to be "activated" with some type of retail or office use, including "pop-up" retail that could be removed in the event of severe weather.
The hotel and apartments will be located on lot five, situated next to the Blue Wahoos Stadium. The Dawson Company originally won the rights to build in Maritime Park back in 2020, but the project was delayed due to COVID-19. The final cost of the project is still to be determined.
“We just got our final blessing from the city on August 8 and now, we are in the process of actually signing the lease agreement for lot five and pricing everything out,” Bowens explained.
Lenny Kravitz.
Development partners also include Emmitt Smith of EJ Enterprises and Thornton Tomasetti, who will provide specialized expertise in mass timber design and engineering. The properties will be constructed using mass timber, which is an eco-friendly building method that promotes a net-zero carbon footprint.
The REVERB by Hard Rock will serve as the property’s central attraction, offering upscale accommodations with sweeping views of Pensacola Bay. This 125 to 150-key hotel will feature all of the staples of Hard Rock Hotels, with a modern twist.
REVERB is Hard Rock International’s trendy and tech-forward hotel brand concept designed with the modern traveler in
including a rooftop bar, a cafe and fast-casual dining spot.
“It will have an RT60, which stands for Rooftop 60, and is part of the Hard Rock brand. If you visit any of their hotels, you’ll find an RT60 there. We’re definitely going to have that at the REVERB hotel and it’s the only restaurant or dining concept that is certain. There will also be a Constant Grind, which is another Hard Rock concept that will be located inside the hotel. It’s a casual sit down or grab-and-go venue that also serves coffee and espresso specialty drinks,” Bowens explained.
Apart from dining options, other hotel amenities will include a rooftop terrace with a bar, fitness and wellness centers, swimming pools and a variety of entertainment opportunities. The property will also host a podcast recording studio for local talent and creators as well as a meeting space for conferences.
“Given that it’s the Hard Rock, we'll definitely have programming from a music perspective. We really want to create more cultural experiences centered around music,” Bowens said.
The proposed multi-story luxury apartment complex will be situated next to the hotel on lot five. The multi-story building will have at least 240 units. “The way the process works is we have a vision of what we want the property to look like and how we want it to be situated on the lot. From there, we work with Gensler to determine what the unit mix is and how many units there will be. We definitely know we'll have a minimum of 240, but it could be more than that,” Bowen said.
Similar to the hotel, the apartment complex will boast luxury amenities including a rooftop terrace, a co-working
Rendering by Gensler courtesy
Image courtesy of REVERB by Hard Rock
space, a coffee bar, a swimming pool and a commercialgrade gym. Bowens describes the planned fitness facilities as “a gym that is very much in line with what you have to pay for every month.”
The two developments will sit directly across Cedar Street from the main entrance to Blue Wahoos Stadium. Both buildings would be built on parking deck "podiums" of at least three stories, and they would be connected by a thirdfloor breeze-way that will host retail or restaurant options.
Being that the completion of the project is still a few years out, the expected pricing for rent is not available yet. However, Bowens explained that the developers will also use the Florida Live Local Act to have mixed-income housing, with 40 percent of the units priced affordably for individuals who make between 80 percent and 120 percent of the area median income for the Pensacola area. Rent prices will be announced at a later date.
The anticipated groundbreaking date for the project is 2026, with a projected opening of 2029, according to Bowens. Under the lease, developers have 12 months to obtain building permits from the city and construction must begin within 45 days of getting the permits.
For updates on upcoming Hard Rock properties, visit hotel.hardrock.com. Learn more about The Dawson Company at thedawsoncompany.com.
F O X Y V A C A T I O N S
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2 4 H o u r C o n c i e r g e O v e r 1 0 0 0 5 - S t a r R e v i e w s
D y n a m i c M a r k e t i n g S t r a t e g y P r o v e n R e v e n u e R e s u l t s
I n H o u s e M a i n t e n a n c e a n d H o u s e k e e p i n g
Developing Downtown
Commercial, Residential and Infrastructure Projects
Transforming the Downtown Landscape
By Morgan Cole
From infill housing developments to multi-story hotels and apartment complexes, the downtown real estate market is on an upward trajectory with no signs of slowing down. What was once a quiet downtown has become one of the most sought-after destinations to live, work and play. Initiatives to preserve important historic landmarks, while ushering in modern amenities, attract new residential and commercial developments bringing a new era of downtown living. From recently completed to under construction, here are some of the major development projects transforming the landscape of downtown Pensacola.
Bruce Beach Park Revitalization Project Now Complete
After six years of planning, designing and construction, phase one of the new Bruce Beach Park is complete and now officially open as Downtown Pensacola's newest public waterfront space.
The city officially opened phase one of Bruce Beach Park to the public on April 27, as construction continued to complete the second phase of the project.
The Bruce Beach Revitalization Project is a catalytic project within the Pensacola Waterfront Framework Plan supporting the city's goal to create a more connected public waterfront. The project was designed by the planning and engineering firm HDR, with consistency review from SCAPE and public input, and is being constructed by Biggs Construction Inc.
Phase one was constructed for $6.3 million and includes a central plaza with a walkway, shade structures, two public lawn areas with seat walls, a learning garden with a children's playground and a pedestrian bridge over Washerwoman Creek providing a direct connection to the Community Maritime Park.
The central plaza and walking path include signs that tell the history of the area, from its days as a shipyard in the 19th
century to the location of a public pool for African Americans used during the segregation area up until the early 1970s. The outline of the original Bruce Pool is marked with concrete at the foot of the Washerwoman Creek bridge.
The park also highlights the area's connection to Pensacola Bay, with the children's playground framed by a map on the ground that shows the outline of Pensacola Bay and surrounding waterways.
Construction immediately began to complete the $4 million phase two portion of the park, which was completed in early October. Phase two included planting many of the 194 planned trees in the park and building wall terraces, a bluff overlook with panoramic views of Pensacola Bay and the city, a rock scramble and terrace sitting areas around the bluff, a permanent kayak launch, a sand volleyball court and designated picnic areas.
Although construction on phase two is complete, only some of the portions of the park are open for public access. The city will host a grand opening ceremony to unveil the completed park to the public this fall . For updates and more project details, visit cityofpensacola.com.
City Approves $5 Million Plan for the New Palafox Project
Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves unveiled the conceptual plans for what he calls “the largest investment in the city’s most iconic street, the New Palafox.”
The nearly $5 million project is designed to make Palafox Street safer, increase the area's walkability and address muchneeded aesthetic improvements.
The plan will transform the sidewalk and intersections along the iconic street and make it even more pedestrian-friendly by widening crosswalks and adding more mid-block crosswalks. Newly-installed brick pavers will also add four times the previous surface to the street, allowing for better drainage.
The roughly $5 million project will be funded through a partnership between the city and Florida Power and Light (FPL), which is required to repave the roads previously impacted by its underground utility project. FPL will contribute $3 million for this portion of the project. The city will pick up the remaining cost for the project by utilizing funds from parking revenue and the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency.
FPL began upgrading the utility infrastructure in 2018, which has recently been completed. The city is working on the project with Jerry Pate Design and BaskervilleDonovan, Inc. Engineering.
The plan also calls for eliminating 24 parking spaces on Palafox Street between Garden and Romana streets and another 12 spaces between Romana and Intendencia streets. However, other parking changes in the plan within a block of Palafox Street would mean that the area would only see a total net loss of three parking spaces. Still, with parking being a big issue for both business owners and visitors to downtown Pensacola, some are taking a closer look at the parking plans and the potential impact.
The intersection with Garden Street will also be reconfigured with the elimination of the westbound right-turn-only lane from Garden to Palafox, and the elimination of the southbound left-turn-only lane from Palafox to Garden. This portion of the redesign would add 12 on-street parking spaces to the area.
Additionally, the historic horse water fountain currently in front of the old downtown Post Office would be relocated close to its original location at the intersection of Garden and Palafox. The fountain would become part of the east median, which will be widened to make the crossing distance shorter for pedestrians.
More trees will also be planted along the street, with conceptual plans calling for an additional 36 live oaks, 21 sabal palms and 15 lacebark elms.
The street’s intersections will feature a more pedestrianfriendly design, with large circles in the middle. The newly designed intersection circles appear to resemble a
Images portray renderings providing a general concept of preliminary design plans for the project. Aspects of this project are still pending Florida Department of Transportation permitting.
roundabout, but is actually a design feature of the brick pavers that essentially act as rumble strips to help remind drivers to slow down as they cross the intersection.
“The opportunity to repave this area does not come along very often. This is an iconic street, and we have the ability now to make it even better. We are still in the concept phase of this project, including listening to our downtown business owners and citizens,” Mayor D.C. Reeves said.
The concept and design phase are expected to be done between now and winter 2024. The bid process and awarding of the bid are anticipated to begin in early 2025. Construction is slated to start in the spring/summer of 2025. A final completion date for the project has not been determined.
The city recently launched a website called thenewpalafox.com for the public to view the plans and submit comments, which will be updated as the project continues to progress.
New Infill Homes Come to Downtown Pensacola
The outlying neighborhoods of downtown Pensacola continue to flourish with residential development. One of the latest developments to break ground is a new infill housing project by D.R. Horton that will bring more than 30 new single-family homes to the downtown area.
Located at 1310 W. Government St., Stadium Way will feature a total of 32 new single-family homes. Each of the 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath homes will be around 1,754 square feet.
The project sits on one parcel north of Government Street, and one parcel south of Government Street, both between F and G streets. The two parcels were acquired this past June from an LLC who had submitted a site plan for 32 lots in 2023. The sale price was approximately $4 million.
To date, D.R. Horton has not released an estimated sale price for the new homes.
City Approves Lease for New American Magic Headquarters at Port
American Magic will now become an official permanent tenant of the Port of Pensacola. The Pensacola City Council unanimously approved a 10-year lease with the New York Yacht Club’s American Magic sail racing team that also requires the team to host at least a preliminary America's Cup regatta in Pensacola if the team ever wins the cup while it is based in the city.
Pensacola is working to build a new $15 million Maritime Center of Excellence at the Port of Pensacola by the time the team returns from the 37th America's Cup at the end of the year. American Magic will be the primary tenant of the new center.
The lease terms were finalized in February, and the building design is underway. The finalized terms require the team to pay $291,200 per year for 10 years, and the lease includes a renewal clause allowing it to go to 20 years.
Many of the lease provisions carry a penalty to increase the rent to $450,000 if the terms are violated. Some violations mentioned in the lease include failing to host an America's Cup regatta in Pensacola if the team has won the America's Cup, failing to meet the $32 million capital investments requirement for the building or failing to hold at least one "open house" a year for the public to tour the facility at no charge.
The lease terms also require the team to use "its best efforts" to host at least two international sailing events annually in Pensacola Bay or the Gulf of Mexico near Pensacola regardless of its win status in the America's Cup. The terms also state that the team must maintain occupancy of the building supporting 120 jobs for at least four years, or pay a $3 million penalty.
Pensacola has been awarded several grants to fund the project, including $8.5 million from Triumph Gulf Coast.
The new 64,000-square-foot facility will be located in Warehouse No. 10 at the Port of Pensacola. The city held an official lease signing ceremony with the team in February. With the funding for the building secured, construction is expected to begin in the coming months.
Construction Underway on New Rooftop Venue at The Center
Construction is well underway on the new rooftop performance venue at The Center in downtown Pensacola. The 1911 building is undergoing a complete renovation to include a premier rooftop performance venue with sweeping views of Pensacola Bay called “The Top of The Center.” The venue will feature a stage, lounge, bar, catering kitchen, private dining nook and serve as an additional performance venue for Pensacola Little Theatre and other local arts groups.
Not only will the new venue provide locals and visitors with an exciting new space to enjoy our coastal city, but it will also introduce a new revenue stream for The Center’s nonprofit. To date, the $4 million project has been completely funded through private donations from members of the community. Construction crews from Morette Company have been diligently working complete the project for its proposed opening date in early 2025.
New Restaurant and Retail Development Slated for West Garden Street
A new restaurant and retail space is gearing up to join the mix at 100 W. Garden St. in downtown Pensacola. What was once a Bank of America branch will be given a second life as a 9,000-square-foot restaurant and retail space that also includes three office suites ranging from 2,700 to 3,000 square feet each.
The office suites will be fully built out, while the restaurant and retail spaces will be left open and can be designed around the tenant’s needs. The tenants who will occupy the space are still to be determined.
Adams Homes President Bryan Adams said that he will be carefully selecting the next tenants to ensure they will be a positive addition to Pensacola's downtown.
Although there are plenty of options for the space, Adams envisions the old bank vault being repurposed as a wine cellar or chef’s table, with a quick-service café with outdoor seating, retail shops and a restaurant.
According to Adams, it will take about a year to finish the exterior of the building, and he plans to begin serious talks with interested tenants soon, so they are able to start building out the space how they want it by the end of this year.
Part of the exterior renovations include a three-panel mural that will cover the side of the building, tying in symbols hidden in the piece that are significant to Pensacola's history and culture. The exact mural design is still being developed, but it will be with a Tennessee artist who the company has worked with in the past.
The second through fourth floors of the building, which were completed in 2022, currently house the main Administrative Office for Adams Homes, Adams Homes’ Pensacola division and residential developer Garden Street Communities Southeast. A groundbreaking ceremony for the project was held in December 2023. To date, no tenants have been announced.
Historic Downtown Building Could Get National Retail Tenant
A new look for an old building at the corner of Palafox and Garden streets may be coming. The Pensacola Architectural Review Board unanimously approved the design exterior work on the historic Isis Theater building at 2 N. Palafox St. in August. The approval was for exterior work only, and potential signage on the building will still have to be reviewed by the ARB for approval before any installation can take place.
Architect Scott Sallis with Dalrymple Sallis Architecture said the building is in the process of being renovated for a national retail tenant. "We're excited that for the first time probably since Woolworths or J.C. Penny's, a national retail tenant will be coming here on the ground-floor space," Sallis said.
Catalyst HRE owns the building and is renovating the first floor of the building as part of its planned East Garden District development. Much of that proposal has been delayed but the relocated Union Public House opened last year at the corner of Jefferson and Garden streets.
The first floor of the building previously hosted the News Journal until 2022, when the newspaper moved to a new location. It has been for lease since and marketed as part of the East Garden District.
The building was built in 1913. The new design adds in a large canopy over the sidewalk at the corner and west side of the building like the original theater and adds new transom windows and double doors at the corner of the building.
Sallis, whose firm also designed the renovation of the second floor of the building for another tennant, said the new canopy on the building is being designed with the same type of tension rods that were used for the original 1913 theater. He said they've been working on the building, and more is planned on the Palafox side of the building. Sallis did not say which national retail company was going to occupy the building.
IHMC Opens New $40 Million Research Complex
Dozens of residents, staff members and local officials gathered on June 11 for the ribbon cutting of the newest addition to the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) campus in downtown Pensacola.
The new $40 million complex at 40 S. Alcaniz St. in downtown Pensacola, is the fourth building on IHMC’s Pensacola campus. The biomedically-based research complex spans more than 40,000 square feet, housing state-of-the-art labs and equipment to benefit researchers and draw top research talent from across the world to the Pensacola area.
Founded in 1990, IHMC is a not-for-profit research institute and lab pioneering ground-breaking science and technology aimed at leveraging and extending human cognition, locomotion, performance and resilience.
The IHMC Research Complex stands apart from other biomedical science hubs due to the collaborative, crossdiscipline spirit that has been a hallmark of IHMC since its inception. Researchers working in the new complex are only an arm’s length away from leading experts in AI, cognitive psychology, data visualization, exoskeletons, engineering and more. The three-story, 40,000-squarefoot facility was constructed by Brasfield & Gorrie and designed by DAG Architects in partnership with Atlantaheadquartered Cooper Carry.
City Moves Forward with Affordable Housing at Former Malcolm Yonge Site
The City of Pensacola is moving forward with plans for affordable housing at the former site of the Malcolm Yonge Center located at 925 E. Jackson St.
The building was demolished on March 6, 2024, despite an ongoing petition drive to challenge the City Council's decision. The Malcolm Yonge Center had been a part of the community since the 1960s before its doors were permanently shut in March 2023.
City officials declared the building unsafe for occupancy due to severe water damage to the wooden arches, which serve as the building's primary structural supports. The building was under a long-term lease with Lighthouse Christian Academy, but the lease was canceled after the building was declared unsafe.
In late May, the city authorized disposition and issuance of a Notice of Intent to Dispose of the property to inform the public of the city's plan to solicit proposals from community land trusts interested in partnering with the city to redevelop the property. Interested parties who wanted to be considered for the development opportunity were required to submit a project proposal by July 3.
Following the month-long Notice of Intent to Dispose (NID) period, the City of Pensacola received two responses in its efforts to redevelop the property at 925 E. Jackson St. with a Community Land Trust (CLT).
Image courtesy of IHMC
One eligible submission was received from the Northwest Florida Community Land Trust. The second submission was from James B. Washington Education & Sports, Inc. However, because it is not a CLT, the response was declared ineligible.
Therefore, city staff will move forward with negotiations with the Northwest Florida Community Land Trust (NFCLT) for a target development of 80 to 20 percent AMI housing.
The city is seeking a for-sale housing development on the site which adheres to a long-term equity sharing model offering a 99-year lease, with a 99-year renewal option to incomequalifying homebuyers.
At least 51 percent of the units should be affordable to individuals with a median household income of 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) or less. The remaining 49 percent of the units is for those in the 80 to 120 percent AMI.
The City of Pensacola envisions this development serving workforce and/or attainable housing needs. Once negotiations are completed with NFCLT, a detailed timeline and project cost outline will be made available. The City Council will also have to approve the final agreement before the project can begin.
Former Pensacola Sports HQ Could Become Multi-Story Residences or Hotel
Four developers have expressed interest in the old Pensacola Sports headquarters property located at 101 W. Main St. in downtown Pensacola. The city received four letters of interest in response to a public proposal request for the "highest and best" use of the Main Street property.
The city is following a similar process to what it is using to develop the Pensacola Motor Lodge property. Unlike the Motor Lodge property, which is slated to become an affordable housing project, the city is seeking a project that will help activate the area and bring in the biggest bang for the buck when it comes to future property tax revenue.
The Pensacola Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) board voted in January to issue letters of request, while at the same time the adjacent Harbourview on the Bay building on West Cedar Street and the three-level parking deck across Baylen Street were also listed for sale. The new owner of the Harbourview on the Bay building was one of the four companies to respond to the city's request.
The four companies were the Derbyshire Group, Goshen Cornerstone, Kerioth Corporation and Waterview Hotel Development LLC.
The responses varied in levels of detail provided as the next steps in the process are to allow the city to ask more questions and decide with which group to move forward. Before the city could move forward with any group, it would have to advertise the property for 30 days to allow for other proposals.
The Derbyshire Group, based in Miramar Beach, is proposing to build either a hotel or a mixed-use retail center, which could include commercial or multi-family units. The company said they would request that Baylen Street be closed to allow for a pedestrian-friendly connection between their existing properties and the 101 W. Main St. property.
Goshen Cornerstone is a partnership between developer Alexander Goshen of Fort Lauderdale and Cornerstone Strategic Partners based in the Tampa Bay area. They're proposing to build a multi-story residential development, and it was the only one to propose including a type of affordable housing set aside as part of the project, although the city was not specifically seeking affordable housing at this location.
Their proposal would be an 80-unit building with a first floor that includes up to 3,000 feet of retail space. Twenty percent of the units would be set aside as affordable housing, with rent pegged to be affordable for people making 100 percent of the area median income for a guarantee of 99 years. Pensacola's current household area median income is $67,772. In exchange, the group wants the city to set the rent for a 99-year lease at $1 a year.
Kerioth Corporation, based in Ridgeland, Mississippi, said they want to develop the property as a mixed-use project that could include retail, restaurant, office, hospitality and residential uses. They said the specific use would be developed based upon a future market study.
Waterview Hotel Development LLC is being led by Pensacola investors, including Bob Cleveland and Dave Cleveland, founders of Highpointe Hotel Corporation, along with Pensacola architect Brian Spencer. Their letter had the most specifics of all the letters of interest. They are proposing to build a $66 million AC Hotel by Marriott with at least 150 rooms and its own parking garage.
Reeves said the city is interested in finding out more information from each of the development groups. The City of Pensacola Community Redevelopment Agency issued a public notice of intent to dispose of the former Pensacola Sports property in May, and interested developers were required to submit a narrative proposal to the city by June 13.
Fricker Center Awaits $9.5 Million Renovation
Gov. Ron DeSantis awarded Pensacola $4 million in February for much needed upgrades to the Fricker Neighborhood Resource Center as part of a $223 million broadband expansion program funded with federal infrastructure dollars.
This $4 million grant will now give the city a total of $9.5 million for the renovation of the Fricker Center. Located at 900 F St., the center is the oldest community center in the city and sees regular use from nearby residents and regional users. It serves as one of four centers that offer after-school programming.
In July, the city was awarded a $5.5 million grant through a Hurricane Sally disaster recovery grant administered by the state of Florida, which is required to be spent on hardening the structure to resist future storms, along with making stormwater improvements. These improvements will include demolishing the social hall part of the building and replacing it with a new two-story social hall.
The $4 million grant will go to renovate the building to add on-site healthcare services, education, telehealth and outreach in a newly constructed senior center, as well as computer skills training and career counseling in a newly renovated career learning lab and cyber lounge. The city is looking to partner with Baptist Health Care to provide medical services at the center and CareerSource Escarosa to provide job and career counseling services.
The city will still have to negotiate a grant agreement with the state and get it approved by the City Council before utilizing any of the $4 million. Under the terms of the grant agreement, the city is required to complete the project by June 2027.
Construction Underway on New Downtown Circle K
A large Circle K store is being constructed at the corner of Garden and “A” streets in downtown Pensacola. Local developer Will Van Horn purchased both corners of the street, with plans to have the new Circle K replace the older store across “A” street. Van Horn says the new store will be the first new commercial construction in downtown Pensacola since the Urban Design Overlay was put in place five years ago. The bigger store will offer easier in and out, more fuel pump islands and expanded food offerings inside. The new store is planned to be completed by this November, weather permitting. According to Van Horn, there are plans to develop the old Circle K property across the street once the new store is completed, but that it’s too early to discuss any of the details about those plans.
Eight Outdoor Pickleball Courts Coming to Downtown Pensacola
Pickleball at the Port of Pensacola is set to move forward with eight tournament-size outdoor pickleball courts. The Pensacola City Council approved a lease amendment that changes the property lines that will allow phase one of the Warehouse 4 Sports pickleball courts announced in February to move forward.
The plans included eight tournament-size outdoor pickleball courts, a space for outdoor games like cornhole or giant checkers and a waterfront concessions area with seating and views of Pensacola Bay. Under the updated lease terms, Warehouse 4 Sports will extend the public sidewalk along the water's edge of the Commendencia Slip more than 150 feet to allow for public access to the restaurant and concession area of the project.
Warehouse 4 Sports and the city signed an initial 15-year lease last year for the 45,000-square-foot 1960s building at the port known as Warehouse No. 4 and the surrounding property to convert it into an indoor sports and convention space with a daily role as an indoor pickleball facility.
Under the updated lease, Warehouse 4 Sports will also be required to build 11 parking spots inside the Port's security perimeter that will be parking spaces for the new American Magic headquarters. Rent under the lease is also being raised from $26,000 a year to $36,000 plus property taxes. There is also a requirement to invest $4 million into the project by the end of the 15-year lease. Warehouse 4 Sports said in February that once construction begins on the outdoor courts, it will take three to four months before construction is complete.
New 14-Story Condo Development Proposed Near Downtown Waterfront
A new 14-story, 48-unit condo development has been proposed for 920 E. Gregory St. near the landing of the Gen. Daniel “Chappie” James Jr. Bridge.
Architect Philip Partington of SMP Architecture sought feedback from the Pensacola Planning Board on an early conceptual idea for the project at its meeting on February 13. The twin tower project, Bayview Condominium, will front the north side of Gregory Street with unimpeded views of Bayfront Parkway and Pensacola Bay.
According to the review application, the project will have two towers, each with 48 units and each with a four floor parking structure accommodating 100 parking spaces. Each tower will have 48 units ranging in size from 1,200 to 2,350 square feet.
The twin towers will be bridged at the second floor with an outdoor common area that will also feature a pool. Each tower will rise to 142 feet in the air, but the first four stories will be reserved for a parking garage.
Rendering by SMP Architecture courtesy of City of Pensacola
The height limit for new developments in the area is 100 feet, but the city code defines building height as beginning at the first habitable floor. Measured from the first habitable floor, which will be the fifth floor, the proposed building sits at exactly 100 feet tall, according to the plans submitted to the city.
The Planning Board would have to approve the final design of the project if one submitted because of the property’s location within the city’s Gateway Development District, however the initial request was only for feedback on the concept. To date, no final design plans have been approved for the project.
Developers Scale Back Plans for Hotel at Former New World Landing
A hotel group that plans to replace New World Landing with a new building is scaling back their plans for the South Palafox property.
3H Group Hotels of Chattanooga, Tennessee, had previously won approval from the Pensacola Architectural Review Board to build an eight-story hotel, but have now scaled back their original proposal to a seven-story, 220-room hotel. The new plans remove the planned roof-top bar and pool and add a second-floor patio overlooking Palafox and Cedar streets. The building will now be 87 feet tall as opposed to the nearly 100 feet of the previous design.
In September, the ARB approved the demolition request for New World Landing but denied the hotel's conceptual approval. The developers made changes to the design of the hotel that included adding balconies on the south side of the building and awnings over the sidewalks along the Palafox and Cedar streets, and those plans won final approval last December.
Pensacola Bay Center to Receive $10 Million in Upgrades Over Next Four Years
In April, Escambia County commissioners approved $10 million in funding for improvements to the county-owned Pensacola Bay Center, over the next four years. The $9,991,200 from Fifth Cent Tourist Development Tax (TDT) Funds as allowed by the Tourist Development Council will fund the multi-year improvement plan.
“Obviously we want to be competitive with our friends to the West and to the East, but I think this is about making a better quality of life for our citizens,” County Commissioner Lumon May said. “I think it’s about improving the amenities so we can attract tourists and attract events to come to Pensacola.”
According to the county, in 2024, $3 million will go towards the sound system, lighting system, parking lot repaving, exterior fencing and retractable seating. Some of the other improvements that will broken up into phases over the next years include:
• In year two, $3,011,000 will address the need for hockey to continue and overall ice sheet operations with the end-of-life ice plant system.
• In year three, $2,310,000 will be allocated to address primary furniture, fixtures, equipment, and mechanical systems. Some original equipment/systems will also be replaced for efficiency and functionality.
• In year four, $1,670,200 will be used to continue year three’s improvements. Upgrades to the Bay Center are being funded through the tourist development tax fund.
The county said that the Bay Center is in need of improvements in order to remain a destination that attracts
tourists, vendors and citizens to Escambia County. A recent study showed the Bay Center, which was built in 1985, would need a $72 million investment in the next seven years, and more than $140 million over the next 20 years to repair or replace old infrastructure. The goal is to make it competitive with other facilities in the area. Many promoters say big acts don't want to come to the Pensacola Bay Center because of its current state.
City Approves Community Land Trust Agreement for Three New Affordable Homes
A new model to build affordable housing got the green light from the Pensacola City Council in June. The Pensacola Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) board unanimously approved donating three properties to the Northwest Florida Community Land Trust (NFCLT) in a 5-0 vote.
The NFCLT and the Home Builders Association of West Florida will coordinate the redevelopment of three city-owned lots (1491 North E St., 2300 W. Jackson St. A and 113 N. Spring St.) to build and/or rehabilitate homes at an affordable level.
Under the agreement, the Home Builders Association of West Florida will build two new homes and rehabilitate a third that will be sold as affordable homes to individuals making 120 percent or less than the area median income. The homes can only be resold in the future to individuals at a price that is affordable for that same level of income.
Officials have applauded the NFCLT concept as a way to tackle the issue of affordable homes "being lost to the market" as home values rise, leaving them unaffordable when resold at market rates.
The city plans to use the structure for other affordable housing projects that involve home ownership, such as the former Malcolm Yonge Gym property. The legal arrangement ensures that a home can only be sold to people with income levels that the land trust sets as qualified buyers.
According to 2024 income levels published by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, housing costs are typically considered affordable at one-third of an individual's monthly income. At current income levels, a housing cost of about $2,079 a month or less would be considered affordable for an individual making 120 percent of the area median income.
The agreement with the city requires the homes be built or remodeled to a "like-new" condition within one year and sold to income-qualified individuals within 18 months. Northwest Florida Community Land Trust was created by Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, but the Homebuilders of Association of West Florida is building the first project under the trust.
Executive director of the Home Builders Association of West Florida Jennifer Mancini said their goal is to have the homes completed in time for the Parade of Homes at the end of October.
Remodel of Old Masonic Lodge in Brownsville Runs Over Budget
Crews working for Escambia County to remodel the old West Pensacola Masonic Lodge in Brownsville and turn it into a library and community meeting space have run into a problem, which is drastically affecting the project budget. The unexpected expense, in addition to other issues with the 70-year-old building and amenities for the new library, have pushed the cost of the project from around $2 million to nearly $3 million.
Escambia County hired Vision Construction of North Florida for $2,095,500 to transform the two-story, 8,000 square foot building at 3300 W. DeSoto Street, which is in an area the county has worked to revitalize with new infrastructure like sidewalks, parks and redevelopment. Construction on the old lodge started in December, but during the demolition phase crews discovered termites had caused extensive damage that required removing nearly all the wood in the facility and replacing it with steel concrete.
The unexpected damage cost just under $210,000 to repair, expenses that were approved by Escambia’s Board of County Commissioners. The project is being funded with federal American Rescue Plan Act funds and the county is now seeking board approval for another $466,990 to put toward the new library. According to the county, the money will cover “additional unforeseen items required to complete the project that will need board approval.”
Those changes include increasing the storm water capacity to prevent future flooding, replacing deteriorated brick lintels originally scheduled to remain as is, and adding moisture sealing to the brick façade. Bookshelves for the first floor will also be purchased with the additional ARPA funds. If approved, the county will pay Vision Construction a total of $2,771,767 to complete remodeling the building.
The old West Pensacola Masonic Lodge is across the street from the Brownsville Community Center, an area that is at the heart of Escambia County’s efforts to revitalize the neighborhood. The county purchased the building in 2021 for $90,000. Plans for the space include a library on the first floor and a community meeting room on the second floor. There will also be computers and a warming kitchen for hosting events. The county hopes to have it open to the public before the end of the year.
City Sets Timeline for Demolition of Baptist Legacy Campus
Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves said the city should have an agreement in place for Baptist Health Care to donate its old Moreno hospital campus, as well as a cost estimate for demolishing unused campus facilities by early next year.
During a weekly press conference on October 1, Mayor D.C. Reeves provided a projected timeline for the next steps in the city's planned acquisition of the Baptist hospital
property, which entails the city taking ownership of approximately 36 acres around E and Moreno streets and using them to provide affordable housing.
Reeves said the city plans to be as "aggressive as is reasonable" in its timeline for moving forward. Discussing the timeline for the project, Reeves said the city plans to issue a request for qualifications for potential demolition contractors, which will essentially establish a pool of companies with the qualifications and capacity necessary to take on a demolition project of this scope. The request for qualifications will be sent out in October.
In November the city expects the second phase of a required environmental survey to be completed, and by December city officials plan to have a shortlist of qualified demolition contractors in hand. The contractors' bids for the demo work should be returned in January.
Reeves said it will likely be February or March when a proposed land donation agreement with Baptist goes before the City Council for approval. The city could potentially close on the property and the Council could approve a demolition bid around the same time frame.
Other entities such as the Florida Legislature, Escambia County and Baptist Health Care have pledged to assist with funding the demolition to the tune of around $15 million, though some of the funds will be contingent on the city taking ownership of the property. Reeves said he was unsure if the city would be reimbursed for those costs, but that was a secondary concern to move the project forward as quickly as possible.
The Heights at East Garden District
The Pensacola Architectural Review Board has unanimously approved the conceptual design of a proposed six-story apartment project at Garden and Tarragona streets. The development, called The Heights at East Garden District, would encompass most of the large city block bounded by Garden, Jefferson, Chase and Tarragona streets.
Located at 110 East Garden Street, the project would add 242 residential units with 12,000 square feet of retail space and 262 parking spaces in a hidden parking structure within the building. Plans call for a swimming pool, fitness center, coworking space and other upscale amenities.
While demolition of the several one-story structures currently occupying the site was previously approved, Louisianabased STOA Group’s proposal for the new construction was denied when it first came to the city’s design review board in November 2022. Board members agreed that the project’s design didn’t do enough to address concerns over the large parking garage entrance on Garden Street, and some members wanted to see the developer do more to create a more pedestrian-focused design along Tarragona Street.
“We looked at how we could improve the building and we looked at that in terms of camouflaging the parking garage more,” Eric MacInerney, project architect with Fifth Dimension Architecture stated.
ARB chairman Derek Salter said he was impressed with what’s being envisioned with the latest design plans. “One of the big concerns I had initially with this project was how Tarragona Street was being treated,” stated Salter. “I really appreciate the work y’all have done and that you’ve created
The Heights at East Garden District courtesy of Stoa Group
a space that encourages pedestrians to use Tarragona Street. I think that’s a great change.”
The developer also plans to include permanent large-scale murals integrated into the design, with conceptual murals depicted along Chase and Garden streets.
The development group and project architects have a long track record of building mixed-use, hotel and multi-family projects — including the recently completed 240-unit Palmilla apartments on West Garden and Coyle streets.
The Heights will offer studio, one- and two-bedroom units and will include a resort-style pool, a fitness center, rooftop lounge and parking for each unit. Of the 242 units planned, it is expected that they will all be set at market-rate.
Upon completion, the project would join numerous adjacent new developments, including the recently completed Union Public House and the upcoming nine-story Tapestry by Hilton hotel at Jefferson and Chase streets. The project will need final design review and approval from the city’s planning board before breaking ground, which is expected by the end of this year.
Construction Begins on New Tiny Home Village for Seniors
Members of the Pensacola-Tallahassee Catholic Diocese broke ground on a new tiny home project in downtown Pensacola in late September in hopes of helping put a dent in homelessness and give lower-income seniors a chance at stability. The vacant plot of land at 820 W. Garden St. in Pensacola, across from the diocese’s main office on “B” St., is being cleared to make room for Trinity Village. The development includes nine “tiny” houses that will be available for rent to qualifying, low-income seniors.
Trinity Village is an expansion of the diocese’s Trinity House program, a transitional housing program that opened in 2020 and now provides two communal homes for senior-aged men who are struggling to get back on their feet. For a small fee, the men are offered housing, resources and training to support themselves, including managing their finances.
Deacon Ray Aguado, with St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Gulf Breeze, started the Trinity House program. He saw the need for Trinity Village due to the lack of affordable housing in the rental market for men leaving the program.
Trinity Village will be available to both men and women who qualify for the low-income rental houses. The diocese owns the land where Trinity Village is being constructed, but is fundraising to support the build, which is estimated to cost a total of $1.1 million. They’ve raised just over $300,000 so far and will need another $700,000 to $800,000 to finish the project.
Aguado says they hope to have the site work finished by the end of fall and construction of the tiny homes underway early next year. To learn more about Trinity Village or Trinity House, visit ptdiocese.org.
City Aims to Install Graffiti Bridge Warning System by Early 2025
The city is aiming to finally install a warning system intended to stop trucks from colliding with the 17th Avenue railroad trestle better known as Graffiti Bridge. According to Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves, the city is now aiming to begin construction in the early part of 2025.
The city is now going to install a structure that will stop trucks before they get to the bridge on the north and south sides of the railroad trestle. The project consists of installing a warning “chime” or “metal rods and chains set” to the minimum clearance height of the bridge to alert drivers if their vehicle is too tall to go under the bridge.
In April, the city council voted in a 6-1 decision to reallocate $166,157.58 in Local Option Sales Tax IV funds to the project. The project's scope was expanded to include a long-planned boardwalk and pedestrian bypass under the nearby Bayou Texar railroad trestle.
The boardwalk and pedestrian bypass project first originated in 2012 and almost came to fruition in 2018. The city had backed away from the project after CSX, which owned the railroad at the time, threatened to charge the city $10,000 a day to inspect the boardwalk during construction.
An early conceptual design for the warning system is a mast arm with hanging chimes that will hit the roof or windshield of any vehicle that's too tall to pass beneath the train trestle. Part of the LOST funding will go toward creating the specific design of the Pensacola warning system. The project is expected to cost around $150,000. The city is aiming to begin construction in the early part of 2025.
Downtown Pensacola Dining
Whether it’s seafood, steak, soulfood, or coastal Italian—these restaurants are a perfect pick! From a casual waterfront venue, to an elegant evening in historic surroundings, you will find everything you are looking for in these locally owned downtown Pensacola restaurants.
THE FISH HOUSE: Dockside dining overlooking beautiful Pensacola Bay just steps away from historic Seville Square. Full bar. Late night menu. Brunch on Sundays. Dine inside or out. Features a menu of inventive handpicked wines, and their world-famous Grits à Ya Ya. fresh-seafood selections, house-smoked steaks, sushi,
ATLAS OYSTER HOUSE: Stands by it’s name as the place in Pensacola to find delicious oysters. On the water, historic Downtown Pensacola. Dine inside or out. Classic hand-crafted cocktails, sixteen beers on tap, expansive oyster o erings, sushi, seafood towers, burgers, small plates and entrees. Bicycle, car and boat parking available.
JACKSON’S STEAKHOUSE: Recognized nationally for its award-winning, Southern-influenced steaks and seafood paired with impeccable service. Reservations can be made online. The menu highlights wet-aged, grain-fed beef from the heartland of America. A consummate dining experience in historic downtown Pensacola. :
FIVE SISTERS BLUES CAFÉ: Southern favorites in historic Belmont-DeVilliers neighborhood of downtown Pensacola. A harmonic blend of southern flavors and soulful music featuring all of the southern comfort favorites with a kick of Creole and Caribbean flair. Fried chicken, cornbread, collards, and more!
ANGELENA'S RISTORANTE ITALIANO: Angelena’s menu brings creative, Southern touches to classic Italian cuisine. Handmade pastas, thoughtfully prepared vegetable dishes are served alongside an abundance of Gulf seafood. The wood-fired oven lends flavor to everything from Neapolitan-style pizzas to meatballs and desserts.
THE FISH HOUSE: 850-470-0003 · 600 SOUTH BARRACKS STREET
ATLAS OYSTER HOUSE: 850-470-0003 · 600 SOUTH BARRACKS STREET
JACKSON’S STEAKHOUSE: 850-469-9898 · SOUTH 400 PALAFOX
FIVE SISTERS BLUES CAFÉ: 850-912-4856 · 421 WEST BELMONT STREET
ANGELENA'S RISTORANTE ITALIANO: 850-542-8398 · 101 EAST INTENDENCIA STREET
ITALIAN
Around the Region Downtown Edition
Mayor D.C. Reeves is proud to announce Capt. Tim Kinsella, Jr., USN (Ret) as the next City Administrator for Pensacola.
“I’m honored to have Tim lead our City of Pensacola team,” Mayor Reeves said. “Tim’s immense experience, leadership acumen and sterling reputation will be a game changer for city operations in this administration. Tim’s presence will certainly make me a better mayor and make Pensacola an even better city.”
In addition to decades of military leadership experience, Kinsella is familiar with Mayor Reeves and current city operations. After winning the election in August 2022, Reeves asked Kinsella to chair his Mayoral Transition Team. In that role, Kinsella and his team produced a strategic path for the current administration, which is still underway.
Of his new position, Kinsella says, “I’ve been in public service my entire life. Public service is a calling, and I feel very, very strongly that it is a civic duty to do it. This is also an opportunity to be involved in the future of the city I call ‘home.”
Kinsella enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1989 and served on submarines for several years before being accepted to the U.S. Naval Academy. He graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. He later earned a Master of Science in Global Leadership from the University of San Diego in 2003. A skilled aviator, Kinsella’s final assignment was as commanding officer of Naval Air Station Pensacola. He led the installation through the challenges of a terrorist attack, Hurricane Sally and the global pandemic. Under his leadership, NAS Pensacola was also awarded the Navy’s Installation Excellence Award as the top large installation across the entire service. Following his retirement from the Navy, Kinsella spent two years as the Executive Director of the Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz Center for Leadership at the University of West Florida’s College of Business.
Tim Kinsella’s first day as City Administrator will be September 30. He will be formally introduced September 17 during the mayor’s weekly press conference in the Hagler-Mason Conference Room.
Mayor D.C. Reeves Updates “24 for 24” City Priority List
At the start of this year, Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves unveiled his top priorities for the city, calling them his “24 for ’24.” They touch on nearly every corner of city government and challenge city administration, directors and staff to bring better services to the residents of Pensacola.
The following is where each project stands as of August 1, 2024. You’ll find the project, followed by the department(s) responsible for it.
City of Pensacola "24 for '24" Priority List:
• American Magic (Port of Pensacola, Engineering, Economic Development)
° 2305 W. Cervantes St. (Pensacola Motor Lodge): Negotiations are currently underway with the developer to create a redeveloped site with low-income housing.
° 925 E. Jackson St. (Malcolm Yonge Gym): Community Land Trust has been selected to move forward with a target development of 80-120% AMI housing.
° Infill Lot Project: Community Land Trust and the Home Builders Association of West Florida are coordinating the redevelopment of 3 city-owned lots to build/rehab homes at an affordable level (1491 North E St., 2300 W. Jackson St. A, 113 North Spring St.).
• Baptist Hospital (Economic Development, Engineering, Housing, Community Redevelopment Agency)
° State funding is secured.
° A demolition consultant has toured the site.
° We are working with Baptist Health Care to complete the due diligence process.
° The Paces Foundation has been awarded two affordable housing multi-family rental projects utilizing Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) monies as well as other state funds.
• Begin Fricker Center $5.5 million CDBG Renovation Project (Parks and Recreation/ Public Works)
° Grant documents have been executed.
° Facilities is working with Parks and Recreation on an Environmental Request for Quotation (RFQ) for Commerce approval.
° Facilities is working on completing an RFQ for project management.
• Begin Hashtag Project (Engineering, Public Works, Community Redevelopment Agency)
° Design RFQ is complete for Hashtag Phase 1 Main St (Tarragona to Baylen St.).
Capt. Tim Kinsella, Jr., USN (Ret) Appointed City Administrator
° Design RFQ Hashtag Phase 2 Cedar St. (Commendencia to Spring St.) is ready to advertise, but we’re waiting on the determination of the SUN Trail application for funding before we proceed. That determination is expected to be announced this Fall.
° Software has been upgraded to MyGovernment Online.
° Code has begun the process of digitizing its workflow, making citizen access to code enforcement-related information easier.
° Code has begun a full review of the Code of Ordinances pertaining to the department and will overhaul/edit as necessary.
• Customer Service Center at City Hall (Building Inspections, Parking Management, Engineering, Pensacola Energy, Sanitation Services and Fleet Management)
° We are in the process of creating an all-encompassing city webpage for payment of all city bills.
° We are working on the design of a new customer service center.
° Started Employee Town Halls with the Mayor/Administrators.
° Monthly Conversations, Leadership Development Institute and supervisor training ongoing.
° Weekly meetings are held with all department directors and city administration to discuss city initiatives, projects and updates.
• Land Development Code Assessment/Next Steps for LDC (Planning and Zoning/Development Services)
° LCD assessment is complete.
° Implementation funding is expected to come in August.
• Leadership Training/Development/Evaluation (Human Resources, All Departments)
° There have been quarterly LDI’s held for all leaders since the beginning of Mayor Reeves’ term.
° The city has partnered with Pensacola State College to create the Emerging Leaders program.
° The city has created an emphasis on training for all staff.
• Low Barrier Shelter (Mayor/Housing)
° Cost evaluated.
° Committed to spending $1.1 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for homeless reduction.
• License To Use - Parking, Sidewalk, Canopy, Business Tax Receipt Overhaul (Development Services)
Around the Region
° LTU’s have been updated to become more uniform across the city’s urban core.
° Development Services is working with Legal to address the overhaul of the Business Tax Receipt system.
• Mental Health Outreach Officer Implementation (PPD)
° Staffed and funded.
• Parking Reform (Parking Management)
° Most parking reforms have been implemented by Aug. 1.
• Parks and Recreation Organizational Assessment + Deferred Maintenance Evaluation (Parks and Recreation)
° Currently drafting an RFQ solicitation for a system-wide Park Facilities Condition Assessment.
° Currently drafting specifications for High Priority Park Revitalization projects funded through Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) monies.
° Staff are outlining a Department Restructuring Action Plan with objectives and timelines.
• Pensacola International Airport Terminal (Airport)
° Received $5 million in state funds this past legislative session.
° We continue to work with state and federal partners to secure additional funding.
° We have begun the discussion on bonding at the airport.
• Recycling Solution (Sanitation Services and Fleet Management)
° We continue negotiations with Adams Recycling for curbside recycling.
° City staff is evaluating sanitation services (garbage, bulk, and green/yard waste) in conjunction with the potential opt-in curbside recycling option to ensure operational efficiencies and proper customer service.
• Solution for Bay Bluffs Park (Parks and Recreation/Public Works)
° Advocated for $2.2 million in state funds, which was awarded to the City and Conservation Florida.
° We continue to work with Conservation Florida on a plan to move this project forward.
• Strategic Plan Execution (All Departments, Pensacola City Council)
° The strategic plan process will be completed in October and presented to the City Council and the public at that time.
° Staff have been holding regular update meetings with the Gehl team each month.
° Numerous public outreach opportunities have been held since March.
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