Shortly after the beginning of the year, Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves unveiled his top priorities for the city, calling them his “24 for ’24.” They touch on nearly every corner of city government and challenge city administration, directors and staff to bring better services to the residents of Pensacola.
On “Real News with Rick Outzen,” the mayor discussed these priorities:
City of Pensacola “24 for ’24” Priority List:
- American Magic (Port of Pensacola, Engineering, Economic Development)
- Funding for the building is secured.
- Construction is expected to begin this fall.
- Attainable Housing Initiatives (Community Redevelopment Agency, Economic Development)
- 2305 W. Cervantes St (Pensacola Motor Lodge) Negotiations are currently underway with the developer to create a redeveloped site with low-income housing.
- 925 E. Jackson St.: Community Land Trust has been selected to move forward with a target development of 80-120% AMI housing.
- Infill Lot Project: Community Land Trust and the Home Builders Association of West Florida are coordinating the redevelopment of 3 city-owned lots to build/rehab homes at an affordable level (1491 North E St., 2300 W. Jackson St. A, 113 North Spring St.).
- Baptist Hospital (Economic Development, Engineering, Housing, Community Redevelopment Agency)
- State funding is secured.
- A demolition consultant has toured the site.
- We are working with Baptist Health Care to complete the due diligence process.
- The Paces Foundation has been awarded two affordable housing multi-family rental projects utilizing Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) monies as well as other state funds.
- Begin Fricker Center $5.5 million CDBG Renovation Project (Parks and Recreation/ Public Works)
- Grant documents have been executed.
- Facilities is working with Parks and Recreation on an Environmental Request for Quotation (RFQ) for Commerce approval.
- Facilities is working on completing an RFQ for project management.
- Customer Service Center at City Hall (Building Inspections, Parking Management, Engineering, Pensacola Energy, Sanitation Services and Fleet Management)
- We are in the process of creating an all-encompassing city webpage for payment of all city bills.
- We are working on the design of a new customer service center.
- Leadership Training/Development/Evaluation (Human Resources, All Departments)
- There have been quarterly LDI’s held for all leaders since the beginning of Mayor Reeves’ term.
- The city has partnered with Pensacola State College to create the Emerging Leaders program.
- The city has created an emphasis on training for all staff.
The following is where the projects stand as of Aug. 1, 2024. You’ll find the project, followed by the department(s) responsible for it.
City of Pensacola “24 for ’24” Priority List:
- Bayfront/SUN Trail mixed use path (Public Works)
- 30% design complete for Phase 1 from Florida Department of Transportation. This is for a 3-mile bridge to the Port.
- We are waiting for the SUN Trail application for construction funding to be determined. This is expected to happen this Fall.
- Community feedback is underway.
- Begin $5,000,000 Brownsville Commercial Revitalization Project (Community Redevelopment Agency)
- Grant award has been accepted
- Begin Hashtag Project (Engineering, Public Works, Community Redevelopment Agency)
- Design RFQ is complete for Hashtag Phase 1 Main St (Tarragona to Baylen St).
- Design RFQ Hashtag Phase 2 Cedar St (Commendencia to Spring St) is ready to advertise, but we’re waiting on the determination of the SUN Trail application for funding before we proceed. That determination is expected to be announced this Fall.
- Code Enforcement Policy & Procedure Overhaul (Code Enforcement/Pensacola Police Department)
- Software has been upgraded to MyGovernment Online.
- Code has begun the process of digitizing its workflow, making citizen access to code enforcement-related information easier.
- Code has begun a full review of the Code of Ordinances pertaining to the department and will overhaul/edit as necessary.
- Hagler Mason/Council Chambers Refresh (Public Works)
- Completed.
- Help finalize A&P Mechanics School for Pensacola State College at Pensacola International Airport (Airport, Economic Development)
- Triumph funding has been secured.
- Pensacola State College is looking to break ground sometime this fall.
- Airport and PSC are finalizing the lease.
- Hollice T. Williams Greenway (Public Works, Engineering, Community Redevelopment Agency)
- A design firm has been selected. Working on executing a contract.
- Community outreach is now underway.
- Property acquisition conversations are ongoing.
- Improved Internal Communications (Mayor/All Departments)
- Started Employee Town Halls with the Mayor/Administrators.
- Monthly Conversations, Leadership Development Institute and supervisor training ongoing.
- Weekly meetings are held with all department directors and city administration to discuss city initiatives, projects and updates.
- Land Development Code Assessment/Next Steps for LDC (Planning and Zoning/Development Services)
- LCD assessment is complete.
- Implementation funding is expected to come in August.
- Leadership Training/Development/Evaluation (Human Resources, All Departments)
- There have been quarterly LDI’s held for all leaders since the beginning of Mayor Reeves’ term.
- The city has partnered with Pensacola State College to create the Emerging Leaders program.
- The city has created an emphasis on training for all staff.
- Low Barrier Shelter (Mayor/Housing)
- Cost evaluated.
- Committed to spending $1.1 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for homeless reduction.
- License To Use – Parking, Sidewalk, Canopy, Business Tax Receipt Overhaul (Development Services)
- LTU’s have been updated to become more uniform across the city’s urban core.
- Development Services is working with Legal to address the overhaul of the Business Tax Receipt system.
- Mental Health Outreach Officer Implementation (PPD)
- Staffed and funded.
- Parking Reform (Parking Management)
- Most parking reforms have been implemented by Aug. 1.
- Parks and Recreation Organizational Assessment + Deferred Maintenance Evaluation (Parks and Recreation)
- Currently drafting an RFQ solicitation for a system-wide Park Facilities Condition Assessment.
- Currently drafting specifications for High Priority Park Revitalization projects funded through Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) monies.
- Staff are outlining a Department Restructuring Action Plan with objectives and timelines.
- Pensacola International Airport Terminal (Airport)
- Received $5 million in state funds this past legislative session.
- We continue to work with state and federal partners to secure additional funding.
- We have begun the discussion on bonding at the airport.
- Recycling Solution (Sanitation Services and Fleet Management)
- We continue negotiations with Adams Recycling for curbside recycling.
- City staff is evaluating sanitation services (garbage, bulk, and green/yard waste) in conjunction with the potential opt-in curbside recycling option to ensure operational efficiencies and proper customer service.
- Solution for Bay Bluffs Park (Parks and Recreation/Public Works)
- Advocated for $2.2 million in state funds, which was awarded to the City and Conservation Florida.
- We continue to work with Conservation Florida on a plan to move this project forward.
- Strategic Plan Execution (All Departments, Pensacola City Council)
- The strategic plan process will be completed in October and presented to the City Council and the public at that time.
- Staff have been holding regular update meetings with the Gehl team each month.
- Numerous public outreach opportunities have been held since March.