The Pensacola City Council meets this afternoon to review Thursday’s meeting agenda. Mayor D.C. Reeves has proposed a revised lease with the University of West Florida for 15,000 sq. ft. of Warehouse #8 – which is about a third of the building.
Why: UWF wants to expand its science, technology, and engineering programs. The leased space will be used for course instruction, research, and development activities “that align with the Port’s maritime and economic development initiatives.”
Under the lease terms, UWF will pay a one-time, non-refundable rent payment of $1,413,846 in exchange for occupancy of the space for 15 years. UWF will be responsible for all operational costs, including utilities, maintenance, and janitorial services.
If UWF elects to terminate the lease, it may do so with 90 days’ notice, but no portion of the rent will be refunded. The City also retains the right to relocate UWF to a comparable space at the Port with 60 days’ notice, with all moving costs reimbursed by the City.
BACKGROUND: The Triumph Gulf Coast board voted unanimously last year to approve up to $3.3 million in funding for the University of West Florida’s Watercraft and Vessel Engineering, or “WAVE,” project.
WAVE will leverage existing UWF expertise in material science, computational fluid dynamics, human performance, non-destructive material evaluation, design for manufacturability, control systems, data science, and other related fields. WAVE will also connect UWF engineering and technology students to watercraft industries in Escambia County and other coastal counties in Northwest Florida.
- The program will include a facility to support the production of custom assemblies and unique hull designs required to develop technologically advanced sailing vessels and high-speed watercraft. The WAVE team will support the design of new sail configurations, foils, and hulls made from sustainably sourced materials.
Triumph Gulf Coast Chairman David Bear pointed out how the WAVE Center will tie into American Magic. “They’re going to have bring students in and teach them about foiling and all the advanced manufacturing and performance, sailing hydrofoiling, marine technology, etc.”
PODCAST: Last October, Dr. Michael Reynolds, chair of the UWF Mechanical Engineering Department, discussed with me the impact of the WAVE program at the Port of Pensacola.
