City unveils Hollice T. Williams Park design
David Williams stared admiringly at the map sprawled across the gymnasium floor Tuesday night at the Cobb Center.
The Escambia County School Board member lifted his eyes briefly and smiled as he pondered what his father would think if he were alive to see the updated design for the Hollice T. Williams Park.
“He was a very humble guy, gave a lot to the community,” Williams said of his father, the first Black city councilman in the post-Civil War era. “I just think he would be elated. He wouldn’t think people would name something like this after him because he never did things for a big accolade or recognition.”
He continued, “He would think this is great for the community and great for the kids because he loved children, loved our community and I think this brings the community together, which is something he really tried to do when he was on the council.”
The City unveiled the updated design for the park and Long Hollow Stormwater Pond during the final public meeting before construction begins in early 2026. Phase one of the park will transform 34 acres and make Hollice T. Williams the largest park in Pensacola.
The park is located beneath the I-110 overpass, an area once home to hundreds of Black families, churches and businesses. Construction of the interstate displaced the neighborhood, leaving behind an enduring legacy of lost homes, community and culture. The project is intended to restore vibrancy to the historic area.
The City will cover the $18.5 million expense for the first phase of the project through three grants. The updated design includes $8 million devoted to three miles of pathways, three resurfaced basketball courts, a multi-purpose field the size of a football field, 72 parking spaces, 50 benches, 45 bike racks, two bike repair stations and 70 light poles.
“I’m an outdoors person,” said Vivian Lett, who lives near the park. “I like the walkpaths, but I also like that we still have the tennis courts and basketball courts. There’s more area for the children to practice and I like that.”
The remaining $10.5 million will be invested in stormwater management to improve water quantity and quality conditions and reduce flooding within the watershed. The project includes a new pump station with underwater storm infiltration chambers, the removal of the impervious area adjacent to Palafox and demolition of the radio tower.
- The unit can hold about 1.3 million gallons of water, according to project manager Katie Fox of Geosyntec.
“We need it because the water situation is really bad, and their improvements for us to do things are great,” Lett said.
The City heard from Lett and others throughout the design process. The City sought public input during five public meetings this year and turned the voices of the community into action.
“I feel like we’ve tried to deliver on what we said we’re going to do,” Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves said to the crowd.
“We were going to listen to our community and then we were going to bring you something that’s going to be transformational for this community, and I don’t just mean the surrounding area. We’re talking about acres and acres of property neglected for now, going on five decades. All of us have gotten to play some part in bringing back