On Thursday, Sept. 22, Escambia County will hold a joint public meeting with NAS Pensacola to discuss the NAS Pensacola Compatible Use Study. The meeting will take place from 6-8 p.m. at the Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 W. Park Place, room 104. The public is invited to attend and learn more about the study. Attendees will also have the chance to learn more about NAS Pensacola’s impact on the community and what the project will bring to the region.
The Compatible Use Study is a collaborative planning effort between Escambia County, the City of Pensacola, the City of Gulf Breeze, state and federal agencies, the general public, and other interested and affected stakeholders. Its purpose is to address land use and other activities incompatible with NAS Pensacola’s mission and effective environmental stewardship while fostering community growth and economic vitality. Planning efforts will directly benefit the community and NAS Pensacola through several measures, including enhancing resiliency and preserving environmentally sensitive lands and natural resources, improving communication and coordination between NAS Pensacola and community leaders for planning efforts and partnerships, and protecting the health and safety of area residents and workers.
For more information, please contact Escambia County Development Services at 850-595-3466. Learn more about the project at naspcus.com.
Any such study should also look at the opportunities and challenges of having NAS Pensacola designated as a Joint Civilian/Military (Joint-Use) Airport like Eglin AFB. Right now, the only Joint-Use Airport in the Department of Navy is MCAS Yuma. Such a designation would likely help gets lots of federal and state grants and protect NAS Pensacola from future BRAC cuts. There appears to be plenty of room for a civilian terminal in the southwest corner of NAS Pensacola with direct access from South Blue Angel Parkway. A good location might be where the fuel farm is located. It can be moved. Anyone who has been to NAS Pensacola in recent decades knows that it is greatly underutilized. It could operate 365/24/7 and take a burden off the city’s airport. In addition to being beneficial to everyone living in southwest Escambia County, more air operations at NAS Pensacola could only help the struggling Warrington area.