I’m hearing that there is a possibly that that downtown YMCA may be relocated to the Maritime Park. There has been a concerted effort to find a suitable,high-traffic replacement for the maritime museum. The park was originally designed to have a conference center and maritime museum that would have been built and operated by UWF. The university decide to not do either because of the uncertainty of their budget.
The Y will be built entirely with private donations. I’m hearing that it will pay land lease fees. However, the improvements (i.e. building and equipment) will not be taxed because its a non-profit. I don’t think the maritime museum would have paid lease fees or ad valorem.
IF this rumor proves to be true, then it will have to be approved by the CMPA board and the Pensacola City Council.