After more than a year of research, community engagement, and design development, the team reimagining Hollice T. Williams Park and the Long Hollow Stormwater Pond will present the updated design plans Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Cobb Resource Center, 601 E. Mallory St.
This marks the final community meeting before construction begins in early 2026. Residents of the Eastside, Long Hollow and North Hill neighborhoods, former residents, and other community members are invited to attend and view the updated park design, which reflects the extensive feedback collected throughout the planning process.
The current design phase being presented addresses 60 acres of the overall 110-acre park outlined in the Vision Plan shared in April. Building upon the Vision Plan, the updated designs will be on display via a large floor map that people can walk around and examine more closely.
“This project represents more than a park — it’s about reconnecting a community that was once divided and creating a space that honors the history and resilience of the people who lived here,” Mayor D.C. Reeves said. “These designs reflect years of listening, learning and collaboration, and I couldn’t be more proud to move forward with a plan that truly belongs to this community.”
The park, located beneath the I-110 overpass, was once home to hundreds of African American families, churches and businesses. Construction of the interstate displaced the entire neighborhood, leaving behind an enduring legacy of lost homes, community and culture. The Hollice T. Williams Park project aims to restore vibrancy to this historic area while addressing modern challenges such as stormwater management, safety and accessibility.
Led by Pensacola native Katie Fox of Geosyntec Consultants, the team also includes renowned park designers Michael Van Valkenbergh Associates and Pensacola-based landscape designers Jerry Pate Design. Together, the team has collaborated with neighborhood groups, former residents, and local agencies to ensure the park’s design reflects the community’s vision for the future.
“The community has guided this project from the beginning,” Fox said. “We’re excited to share these updated designs that create a safe, beautiful, and connected green space for generations to come.”
Since 2004, improvements to Hollice T. Williams Park have been discussed in several long-range neighborhood plans. Recent grant funding has finally made it possible to bring these ideas to life. Following this final design presentation, the project will move into the engineering and construction phase, with construction set to begin in early 2026.
More information about the project and the upcoming meeting is available at www.HTWpensacola.com.