The piece of property that could define Escambia County’s economic future for generations is finally moving toward development. After years of negotiations, stops and starts, and passionate community debate, developer Chad Henderson and his team are presenting a $42.5 million proposal to the County Commission that could transform OLF 8, the last major interstate-accessible tract in Escambia County.
- Located right off Interstate 10, near Navy Federal’s campus, the OLF 8 site represents something increasingly rare: a large, developable tract with direct interstate access and existing infrastructure. As Henderson notes in a recent podcast, “It’s one of the best pieces of property way more than just locally in our community, but even a much broader regional opportunity.”
The property’s strategic location gives OLF 8 “a real competitive advantage for being successful.”
Honoring the Master Plan Vision
A contentious aspect of previous OLF 8 discussions has been whether developers would abandon the community-created master plan in favor of purely industrial or residential development. Henderson’s team has made adherence to the master plan’s spirit a cornerstone of their proposal.
- “At no point were we shying away from notions of town and job creation alike,” Henderson explains. “We’re keenly focused on those.”
The plan centers around creating what Henderson calls “a beating heart” – a walkable town center designed for “human connectivity” and “placemaking” where people want to spend time and money, create memories, and build community.
Proven Experience and Local Commitment
What sets this development team apart is the combination of proven large-scale experience and deep local roots. Henderson has partnered with the Wilson family, whose track record includes the Redstone Arsenal project in Huntsville, Alabama – a 15-year development that has created over 8,000 high-quality jobs with major companies.
But perhaps more importantly for the community, Henderson brings personal investment to the project. A Pensacola native who attended Pine Forest High School and Longleaf Elementary, he understands this isn’t just another development deal.
- “I grew up on the west side of Pensacola,” Henderson says. “I recognize upfront that this project is of huge significance not only to Pensacola, but all of northwest Florida and the region. It’s just a fantastic opportunity, and that is something that I certainly don’t take lightly.”
The scope of Henderson’s vision extends beyond typical real estate development. The team includes partners with experience in health and wellness projects, extensive capital networks, and connections at state and federal levels – resources that will be crucial for a project of this magnitude.
- “This project is going to be a massive amount of capital when it’s all said and done,” Henderson acknowledges. “You’ve got to have access to that capital and the right partnerships and the right skill sets to bring to the table to make sure you can execute.”
