The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program has awarded Bluffline, Inc., a Pensacola-based nonprofit organization, a $1.2 million grant to study waterfront access improvements along Escambia Bay.
The Escambia Bay Waterfront Access Study will examine potential connections from the University of West Florida campus to Chimney Park and Corry Station, with plans to develop multi-use paths, pedestrian overpasses, and water transportation networks.
“This grant allows us to take meaningful steps toward fulfilling our mission of reuniting people with their environment and one another,” said T.S. Strickland, Director of Strategy for Bluffline, Inc. “By reconnecting Pensacola’s communities to the waterfront, we’re not only addressing decades of physical and social division but also creating pathways to opportunity, sustainability and equity for generations to come.”
WHY THIS MATTERS: The project targets areas facing significant challenges, including limited transportation access and environmental concerns. Data shows that more than half of residents in the project area are classified as “disadvantaged” by federal standards, with approximately 4,400 households lacking vehicle access. Park access is also limited, with only 17.8% of Ferry Pass residents and 38.2% of West Pensacola residents living within a 10-minute walk of a park.
City Councilman Casey Jones, whose district includes much of the project area, endorsed the initiative, stating, “The Bluffline will play a critical role in advancing the City of Pensacola’s goals for equitable development, environmental sustainability, and economic resilience. It will provide safe, non-motorized transit options for all residents, including underserved communities, enhancing access to educational institutions, job centers and recreational spaces.”
The project has garnered support from key community leaders. University of West Florida President Dr. Martha Saunders emphasized the educational benefits, noting that “Restoring access to the waterfront for nearby communities, many of which have been cut off by highway and rail infrastructure, would allow for improved access to UWF’s campus and create new opportunities for research, education, and recreation.”
MORE BACKGROUND: The initiative complements Bluffline’s existing efforts, including a pending $20 million EPA Community Change Grant application that would create a 70-acre public park and greenway at Jackson Lakes. The organization plans to work closely with local communities to ensure the project addresses their needs and priorities.
The Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program is the first federal initiative specifically designed to address the impacts of historic highway construction that divided neighborhoods and limited access to essential resources. The program supports planning and capital construction projects aimed at restoring community connectivity and promoting equity in underserved areas.
A case study in citizen activism and advocacy. Great job, Jarah and TS! What a cool project.