Posted in Escambia County

Pensacola Beach Pier Controversy Ends

   February 2, 2026

From the Santa Rosa Island Authority:

Santa Rosa Island Leaseholders Take the High Road

PENSACOLA, Fla. (February 2, 2026) — The Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA) confirms that following community feedback and subsequent discussions, island leaseholders Ellen and Todd Bourgeois have withdrawn their requests for a pier and adjacent beach walkway behind their home at 1001 Panferio Drive and will not pursue further action to advance the project.

The leaseholders’ regulatory applications for the pier were approved through the applicable permitting process beginning in January 2025. In addition, the SRIA Board took two unanimous actions related to the project. On Sept. 24, 2025, the Board voted 5 to 0 to approve construction of a walkway structure from the leasehold property to the pier. On Dec. 17, 2025, the Board voted 6 to 0 to approve execution of a Pier Amendment to the leaseholders’ existing lease.

Relying on the approved permits and SRIA Board actions, the leaseholders retained engineers and other professionals and entered into a contract with Dale’s Marine Construction (DMC) for the construction of the pier. The leaseholders report expenditures of approximately $40,000 in connection with the project, including materials purchased through DMC. DMC has indicated it intends to work with the leaseholders regarding a refund for materials already purchased.

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Author: Rick Outzen

Rick Outzen is the publisher/owner of Pensacola Inweekly. He has been profiled in The New York Times and featured in several True Crime documentaries. Rick also is the author of the award-winning Walker Holmes thrillers. His latest nonfiction book is “Right Idea, Right Time: The Fight for Pensacola’s Maritime Park.”
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2 thoughts on “Pensacola Beach Pier Controversy Ends”

  1. Thank you for reporting this, Rick. But no, it’s not over. Now we need to get a policy on the rest of the docks.

    Save Our Beaches is interested in a local solution. But there does need to be a solution.

  2. It is amazing that these lease holders are trying to be good neighbors. They could give the Perdido Key condo owners a lesson in How To Be Human.

    But it’s not quite over. We also need an SRIA policy that

    (1) prohibits any future docks over public beach, and
    (2) prohibits the reconstruction of the existing docks once there is substantial damage.

    Really hope that the SRIA board will get Burns in line. Absolute worst executive director in the history of the Island. He needs to be fired.

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