The blog set another traffic record, breaking the August record by 10%.
Inside the Plan to Redevelop Grand Hotel
George Hawthorne wants to transform the 15-story Grand Hotel into an upscale 210-room destination with a historic food hall. His ask: $45 million in tax-exempt bonds for the $48 million project. Mayor D.C. Reeves says the deal “doesn’t pencil” and the city would shoulder too much risk. Hawthorne insists he’d repay everything—”they’re not putting in a penny.”
UWF’s fundraising superstar is jumping ship—and he’s leaving at the peak of his game. Howard Reddy, who just shattered every fundraising record in university history with a $31.4 million haul in 2024, has accepted a VP position at East Tennessee State University. The law degree-holding former Fulbright Scholar led the “Here for Good” campaign to unprecedented success—so successful that Interim President Manny Diaz just raised the campaign goal from $90 million to $100 million.
DeSantis, FL DOGE Go After Welcome Sign, Saenger Management, Strategic Plan
Governor DeSantis put Pensacola on blast—and the city’s $600,000 neon welcome sign is Exhibit A. Standing beside a holographic image of Jacksonville’s mayor, DeSantis and CFO Blaise Ingoglia unveiled Florida DOGE’s audit findings, accusing local governments of “wasteful spending to the tune of billions of dollars.”
Pensacola got dragged for three expenditures totaling $450,000: the welcome sign, $150,000 for Saenger Theatre management “that brings drag shows,” and $300,000 for an equity-focused strategic plan. Mayor D.C. Reeves learned about the accusations the same way you did—from social media.
The kicker? DeSantis threatens a special session during the Republican primary season if lawmakers don’t slash property taxes. Local lawmaker Alex Andrade’s response: the governor needs to “be an adult.”
What Are Downtown Business Concerns Re:New Palafox
Downtown Pensacola merchants are terrified—and some are predicting their own demise. The city’s $10.3 million Reimagining Palafox project will shut down the street for five months during peak retail season, and business owners say it could be “the nail in the coffin.”
Mayor Reeves is offering a $780,000 contractor bonus to finish before Memorial Day and free parking on surrounding streets. Will it be enough?
Zack Smith Wipes Away Achieve Escambia
One Pensacola State College trustee just erased a decade of community work—because he didn’t like the word “equity.” Zack Smith objected to PSC collaborating with Achieve Escambia after spotting diversity, equity, and inclusion language on its homepage. Within months, the entire “Achieving Equity” initiative—reports, letters from Baptist Health Care’s CEO, and founding mission statements—vanished from the website.
The most alarming part? None of the other trustees objected. Ten years of cradle-to-career collective impact work, wiped clean—and nobody said a word.
No Ban on Drag Shows at the Saenger
Citizens packed Pensacola’s council chambers for a heated showdown over a Christmas-time drag show at the city-owned Saenger Theatre. Pastors spoke against it. Supporters fired back with “don’t buy a ticket if you don’t like it.” The crowd waited for Mayor D.C. Reeves to take a stand.
His answer? The Constitution wins. “What we’re talking about isn’t whether someone’s religious beliefs decide that something is good or not good,” Reeves declared at his press conference. “I believe the position we’re in is to uphold the law.” He’s following the city attorney’s advice and both the Florida and U.S. Constitutions—no policy changes coming.
City of Pensacola Responds to DOGE Dings
Florida DOGE accused Pensacola of wasting $450,000 on a welcome sign, Saenger Theatre management that “brings drag shows,” and equity surveys. The city just clapped back with receipts—and the numbers tell a very different story.
Plot twist on the Saenger: Instead of costing taxpayers, it’s made the city over $1 million profit in three years. The theatre returned $418,000 in FY 2024 alone. That $150,000 “wasteful spending?” It’s an operational advance that’s repaid every year.
The welcome sign? FDOT paid $470,000 of the $655,000 cost—money earmarked only for that project. The equity surveys? Part of legitimate community outreach for actual city projects.
CFO Blaise Ingoglia has yet to send a final report. Wonder why?
GCE Designs: Where Purpose Meets Creativity in Pensacola
Pensacola just gained something rare: a business where profit and purpose aren’t competing values—they’re the same mission. GCE Designs is opening an 8,744-square-foot facility that will employ people with disabilities while producing high-quality branded merchandise for clients nationwide.
This isn’t some feel-good charity project. GCE partnered with Spectrum Designs, whose client roster includes Google, J.P. Morgan Chase, and Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation. Nearly 70% of Spectrum’s staff is on the autism spectrum, proving inclusion and excellence aren’t mutually exclusive.
Leading the venture is Mike Craney, a Pensacola business veteran with 30+ years of marketing experience. They’re hiring 10-15 people in year one, with growth potential as the customer base expands.
Finally: meaningful employment that works for everyone.
Breaking: Stafford Named New Pensacola City Administrator
Mayor D.C. Reeves just named his third city administrator in less than three years—and this choice raises eyebrows. David Stafford, the nationally recognized election security expert who served as Escambia County’s Supervisor of Elections for two decades, will now run Pensacola’s day-to-day operations.
Stafford testified before Congress, advised the Department of Homeland Security on cybersecurity, and most recently worked for a national election technology company. He brings a steady hand to city hall.
Something’s Not Adding Up in Florida’s Voucher Program
Governor DeSantis celebrated “universal school choice” as a triumph. But State Sen. Don Gaetz sees something else: $300 million “sloshing around” in an “accountant’s nightmare.”
Families waited 80+ days for transportation reimbursements. Private schools fronted costs for students while payments vanished into limbo. School districts got shorted $47.1 million, making it impossible to close their budgets. Auditors found 267 student accounts exceeding legal limits by $2.1 million—while Step Up For Students, the nonprofit running the program, pockets $173 million in administrative fees.
State Rep. Alex Andrade: “DOE is really fumbling the ball.”
