In a unanimous 5-0 vote, the Escambia County Commission approved allocating $510,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds toward rehabilitating buildings at the former Baptist Hospital site, but not for demolition as initially proposed.
Commissioner Lumon May, who represents the district containing the hospital site, made clear his opposition to demolition from the start. “I’ve never supported demoing Baptist Hospital, nor am I going to move to give money for demolition.”
Instead, May negotiated an alternative approach with Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves that would preserve at least two buildings as part of what Baptist Hospital officials have called its “legacy campus.” His reasoning was straightforward: “I don’t know how you can have a legacy campus when you demo every single building.”
The Deal Structure
The approved allocation comes with specific conditions. The county would receive one building to operate as a community resource center, while a second building would be dedicated to healthcare services, potentially managed by Community Health Northwest Florida or another healthcare provider.
- “My goal is to make sure we have healthcare, we have food, and we have affordable housing,” May explained, reminding the commissioners of promises made by Baptist Hospital to the community over the years.
May’s passionate advocacy centered on serving longtime residents, many of whom are seniors who worked at Baptist Hospital for decades. “Sixty-five percent of them are probably between the ages of 75 and 90. They worked their life off in the cafeteria at Baptist. They cleaned the floors; they were the orderlies. They want a place on that legacy campus that they can call home.”
The commissioner highlighted the practical need for accessible healthcare in the neighborhood, noting that the nearest alternatives require walking “three miles in the heat of July”—a significant barrier for families and elderly residents.
Moving Forward
Chair Mike Kohler expressed support for ensuring healthcare remains in the area, though he raised questions about long-term operational funding for a county-run community center within city limits. The motion ultimately passed with the understanding that if the city cannot deliver the promised buildings, the funding allocation would return to the table for reconsideration.
I have texted Mayor Reeves and asked whether he will accept the county’s offer. I will post his reply when received.
