Local Government
Mayor Reeves Touts Port Deal, Bay Center Progress and Service Upgrades at Tuesday Briefing
From autonomous warships to a new recycling drop-off site, Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves covered a wide swath of city business at his April 21 press conference — including a landmark defense manufacturing announcement at the port.
American Magic Deal Brings Warship Wing Manufacturing to Pensacola Port
The biggest headline from Tuesday’s briefing was a newly announced collaboration between Lockheed Martin and Pensacola-based American Magic Services to manufacture a key component of an autonomous U.S. Navy warship at the Port of Pensacola.
The vessel at the center of the deal is the Specter, a 170-foot unmanned surface vehicle designed for anti-submarine warfare operations and capable of speeds around 35 mph. American Magic Services will build the 140-foot composite sail drone’s wing at its Pensacola facility.
“That wing cannot be shipped,” Reeves said. “Every single one of these vessels that’s going to be manufactured by the U.S. government is going to have to come to Pensacola Bay and come to the port for that wing to be installed.”
The mayor said the city is not a direct party to the contract, but the arrangement guarantees port revenue through dockage fees and creates job opportunities for port workers on every vessel produced.
When asked how the American Magic announcement intersects with ongoing negotiations to bring shipbuilder Birdon to the port’s northeast quadrant, Reeves said he sees no direct contractual link between the two — but noted the broader synergy.
- “Why wouldn’t someone build a boat right next door and then leverage private-side technology or manufacturing to be able to get it done cheaper or better or faster?” he said.
On Birdon specifically, Reeves said three-way negotiations among the city, Birdon and the Triumph Gulf Coast board are ongoing. The next milestone is a presentation to Triumph at its May 13 meeting—the second of three required appearances—regarding the $76 million award for the project. The mayor said Birdon may establish some port presence before a planned 400,000-square-foot facility is completed, and that the full build-out to an estimated 2,000 jobs is projected around 2029.
Bay Center: ‘More Progress in One Meeting Than in 10 Years’
Reeves called last week’s joint meeting with county officials on the future of the Pensacola Bay Center a turning point, saying he felt the city and county made more progress in that single session than in the previous decade combined.
- Key areas of alignment included the need to renovate the existing aging arena and a shared recognition that a second facility is necessary. The mayor indicated both sides are now working toward an RFI/RFP process to engage private developers under a public-private partnership model.
Reeves cautioned against over-specifying the RFP, warning that loading the solicitation with detailed design requirements — carpet colors, fixture choices, exact square footage — could deter developers competing for capital in other markets.
- “Here’s how much money we have, and here is what we want — then let the creativity of these large groups that do this all over the world come back,” he said.
On financing, the mayor said he views CRA tax increment financing and parking investment as the highest-and-best city participation tools, while bed tax and sales tax revenue make more sense for county participation on the facility itself.
City and county staff are expected to meet to align on what was agreed and identify any remaining questions before returning to both governing boards.
Fricker Resource Center Closes for $10 Million Overhaul Through Spring 2027
The city has issued a notice to begin work on the Fricker Resource Center, kicking off a roughly $10 million renovation. Programming activities have already shifted to the on-site gymnasium. Afterschool and senior programs will continue through May 31, after which all operations at Fricker will cease until renovations are complete in spring 2027.
- Reeves said letters have gone out to parents and guardians, and that the city is working to connect displaced participants with similar services at other facilities during the closure. He asked the media to help spread the word.
Bay Bluffs Park Permit Progressing; Second Public Meeting Coming This Summer
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection reviewed the city’s notice of commencement documents for Bay Bluffs Park and has requested one additional piece of information. Reeves said the city expects to have its notice to commence by early May, triggering a second public meeting following HDR’s initial design completion.
New Payment System Launches May 4 for Pensacola Energy and Sanitation Customers
Launch date: Monday, May 4. Pensacola Energy and sanitation customers will gain access to a new payment platform offering Apple Pay, Venmo, 24/7 account access, enhanced security and simplified account management.
Reeves acknowledged the upgrade has been long overdue, noting he experienced the old system’s shortcomings firsthand as a city resident long before taking office. He credited the complexity of backend system integration for the extended timeline.
Summit Recycling Drop-Off Closes May 4; New Site Opens May 5
The Summit Recycling drop-off location will close on May 4. Beginning May 5, the monitor/large-item drop-off will move to 100 West Leonard Street, with no gap in service between the two locations.
- Reeves reported that the city now has 4,629 curbside recycling customers and is maintaining a 7% contamination rate. He noted that the last pickup at Summit collected just under five tons of material, all of which had to be sent to the landfill due to contamination — as a reminder of why the drop-off program is changing.
Neighborhood Cleanup Saturday; PACES Affordable Housing Deal Moving Forward
The next Mayor’s Neighborhood Cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, April 25, in the North Hill area and surrounding neighborhoods. Maps and details are available at cityofpensacola.com.
- On the development front, Reeves said the Architecture Review Board approved demolition of a CRA-owned property, Pensacola Motor Lodge, and CRA staff is finalizing a land sale agreement with PACES Foundation. PACES plans a mid-rise, mixed-income multifamily development of 85 to 100 units at three to five stories, targeting workforce and affordable housing. The city-PACES agreement will require city council approval before the property sale can proceed.
Roger Scott Pool Closed This Season for Bathroom Renovation; Mayor Defends Delay
The Roger Scott Tennis Center pool will not open this season while new restroom facilities are constructed. Reeves said the closure stems from manufacturing delays — not city-side foot-dragging and noted the wait yielded a significant cost reduction: the bathroom structure came in around $675,000, down from the original $1 million bid that had drawn council skepticism. The total project cost, including other amenities, is approximately $840,000.
- Pool users are being directed to Hunter Pool in the interim. Reeves framed the inconvenience as worth the savings and the long-overdue facility upgrade.
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