Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves appeared before the Escambia County Commission this morning to outline the city’s position on the future of the Pensacola Bay Center. He asked the commissioners to collaborate on a comprehensive plan for renovating the Bay Center and potentially developing the surrounding area.
“This area will define the city and county for generations to come,” Reeves told commissioners. “I believe how we work together can be the determinant of which way this redevelopment goes.”
Mayor Reeves believes there is a consensus among elected officials and the community at large on the need to renovate the existing Bay Center facility.
- He joked that he’s “never received an email or been stopped on a street corner with anyone saying how modern and aesthetically pleasing the current Bay Center is,” suggesting widespread agreement on the facility’s dated appearance.
Beyond the Bay Center: A Master Development Plan
The mayor’s key proposal was for the city to fund, at its own expense, a district development master plan. Unlike previous studies that focused solely on specific venues or facilities, this plan would examine the surrounding area, including community engagement, connectivity, urban design, and traffic impacts.
- Reeves said this approach would digest all previous studies conducted over the past decade and provide a data-driven economic analysis of each proposed venue. The goal would be to determine what works best for the community, citizens, and taxpayers.
Grand Hotel: The mayor committed to addressing the Grand Hotel property, a key area adjacent to the Bay Center. He stated that the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is already working with current owners and interested parties to renovate or overhaul the property.
- Reeves also promised that if the county agrees to collaborate, the comprehensive master plan would be completed by this fall. He proposed a joint meeting at City Hall within 30-45 days to secure the master plan development firm with all stakeholders present.
Commissioners’ Responses and Concerns
Commissioner Lumon May appreciated the mayor’s proposal while highlighting concerns about the numerous previous studies that “collect dust on shelves.” He stressed the importance of implementation and addressing the fundamental question: “Where’s the money?”
Commissioner Steven Barry noted that while he was open-minded about the master plan, he wanted to clarify that the county wouldn’t be bound by its recommendations, especially since county funds would likely constitute a significant portion of the project financing.
Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger supported the master plan concept, noting its potential to attract private investment, particularly for the Grand Hotel property.
I will post more on the Committee of the Whole tomorrow morning.