Community Sounds Off Over Park
by Sean Boone
Every local resident has his or her own opinion to what should be put into the Community Maritime Park.
But Friday was the day when those in charge listened to those opinions.
The Community Maritime Park Associates (CMPA) held a special meeting at City Hall on Friday to let citizens voice their opinions, concerns or whatever else they had to say about a newly formed draft of the proposed park.
Scott Davidson, who is president of potential developer Land Capital Group, told the board and the approximately 50 people in attendance that there were two possible plans his group had for the park:
–A $52 million design that includes all infrastructure/underwork, surface parking, a multi-use stadium and UWF museum and conference room.
and
–A $40 million design that would include the same developments with the exception of the UWF museum and conference room,which would have to be leased in another building.
Davidson said he anticipates the $12 million to be absorbed by the proposed federal stimulus package.
Among residents who spoke at the meeting was Quint Studer. Studer said the park has been through a lot of changes since the idea came about after Hurricane Ivan in 2004, but it still represents a project that will revitalize the city.
“I still believe this community needs a win,” he said. “And this is a win.”
Others like Leroy Boyd and Marty Barrett voiced different concerns over the development of the park.
Boyd, who is the head of Movement For Change, said he’s concerned about the minority demographics of the park that was discussed in the Contractor Academy covenant.
The covenant we talked about for demographics was 30 percent black, he told the board. We have deviated from that profile for what we are going to use and I ask you to re-look at that.
Barrett said he’s concerned there will not be sufficient handicap access on the property due to poor planning in the past from the city for wheelchair ramps.
“I have a time crossing the street because the cuts are made so poorly or they are non-existent,” he said. “I would like someone to test them out first to see if they are adequate for the public.”
But most who expressed concerns, were also very eager to get the ball rolling on development.
“Jobs are needed everywhere in the Southeast,” said resident and developer Scott Pate. “I’ve lived here for the past 41 years and not a lot has changed. I think its time for Pensacola to start making history instead of living it.”
The CMPA ended the meeting by approving Chairman Lacey Colliers recommendation to forward the draft to City staff for evaluation. The board will vote on a final draft on Jan. 9 before it will be brought before City Council on Jan. 20.