The $14 million Reimagine Palafox project concluded its fourth week of construction, with visible progress on infrastructure and continued efforts to support downtown businesses impacted by the street reconstruction.
- Emerald Coast Utilities Authority crews continue installing new water lines along the corridor, with periodic service switch-overs occurring as the work progresses. ECUA is responsible for notifying customers of any planned outages.
- Stormwater infrastructure installation is also advancing, with concrete forms now installed on both ends of the project zone and hardscape work beginning.
Intersections are being closed intermittently to allow both construction vehicular traffic and trenching operations for new underground pipes. The city added structural rock to pedestrian crosswalks and is exploring options for temporary asphalt surfaces to improve pedestrian access during construction.
- Contractor parking violations continue to be addressed, with tickets issued to workers parking on streets rather than inside the construction fence. Project managers said they’ve reminded contractors about parking requirements and will continue enforcement.
Business Support Initiatives
Multiple efforts are underway to reinforce that downtown businesses remain open during construction. The Downtown Improvement Board placed A-frame signs at Baylen and Jefferson intersections with “businesses open” messaging, with more signs planned. Digital road signage now displays “Shops & Sidewalks Open!”
Lamar digital billboards promoting downtown access launch Feb. 2 at locations including Cervantes and I-110.
- Quint Studer is offering a Palafox Assistance Program (PAP)—please see for more details.
Upcoming Events
The Palafox Market continues on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The “Palafox Pulse” happened today from 10-11 a.m. in front of Vinyl Music Hall. Organizers are moving the last Pulse of each month to Wednesdays (February 25, March 25, April 29, and May 27) and are seeking community feedback on the schedule.
Pensacola Mardi Gras sponsors a Second Line Tuesday parade on Feb. 3 at 5:30 p.m.
Program Assistance Program
Quint Studer has volunteered to offer financial support to businesses during the Reimagine Palafox construction period in the form of non-interest bearing loans to businesses on Palafox Street that are impacted by the construction.
He has asked Mort O’Sullivan to administer the program. The essence of the program is to make loans for the loss of gross profit (sales minus cost of sales) during the construction period in order to ease cash flow burdens. The loans will bear no interest. They will be due and payable in full on the date two years after the re-opening of Palafox at the conclusion of the road construction.
The program will be administered in the strictest of confidence and Mort will provide a non-disclosure agreement to prospective borrowers when they submit the required financial information needed for consideration of the loan. He and he alone will see and know the information submitted by a potential or actual borrower. Quint has asked to not have any knowledge of borrowers’ financial data and will be prohibited under the non-disclosure agreement.
At the conclusion of each month, submit your financial statements for that month along with a 24 month history of your financial statements showing each month from January 2024 through December 2025.
The financial statements will be analyzed and if a loss is measured (when comparing the income statement to prior periods). then loan funds will be disbursed as quickly as possible. This process will occur each month during construction. Instead of waiting for the conclusion of construction to measure your losses, this process will be more helpful on a timely basis.
You may contact Mort O’Sullivan any time with questions.
Mort O’Sullivan
850-572-1403