The Reimagine Palafox street reconstruction project continues to advance through its fifth week of construction, with several significant developments and an important timeline clarification that downtown stakeholders need to understand.
Construction Progress
ECUA completed its utility work on Friday, Feb. 6, with subcontractors expected off-site by the middle of this week. Crews continue installing stormwater infrastructure, while concrete forms have been placed on both project ends, and hardscape installation has begun. In the photo, you can see that workers have begun to frame the last block of South Palafox.
- The Palafox Street portion remains on schedule for the incentivized completion date of May 24, 2026.
However, project officials clarified an important detail: the Romana/Intendencia and Government/Zarragossa intersections won’t be completed until November 2026 per the project manual—potentially extending disruption to cross streets for nine additional months beyond the main Palafox completion.
Ongoing Challenges
Contractor parking violations continue despite reminders to park inside the construction fence rather than on city streets. Tickets are being issued to address the problem.
- Intersections will face intermittent pedestrian closures to allow both vehicular traffic and trenching operations. While structural rock has been added to crosswalks, the city is exploring temporary asphalt surface options to improve conditions.
Business Support
Quint Studer’s Palafox Assistance Program (PAP) is available to help affected downtown businesses navigate the construction period. Read Program Assistance Program.
- Digital billboard messaging about the project went live February 2 at multiple locations including Cervantes/I-110, Chase/Bayfront, Blount/I-110, and Bayou Boulevard.
Upcoming Events
Downtown will host several Mardi Gras events this week:
- February 10: Final Second Line Tuesday (5:30 p.m.)
- February 13: Krewe of Laffitte Mardi Illuminated Parade (7:30 p.m.)
- February 14: Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade (2 p.m.)
Business owners are reminded to update their Google listings to reflect current operating hours during construction.
Parade Road Closures in Downtown Pensacola
The City of Pensacola has temporarily modified the downtown parade route during construction for The New Palafox project.
Instead of crossing Garden Street and traveling down South Palafox Street to Main Street, parades will now cross Garden Street and travel down South Jefferson Street to Main Street.
Road closures will be in effect in Downtown Pensacola Friday, Feb. 13; and Saturday, Feb. 14 for the annual Krewe of Lafitte Parade and the Grand Mardi Gras Parade. The float staging area and the parade route will be closed to traffic approximately three hours before each parade begins.
Residents and visitors are reminded to follow all posted signage. Parking is prohibited on the parade route. Additionally, there will be no parking on:
- Main Street between Reus and Jefferson Street
- Reus Street between Main Street and Garden Street
- Garden Street between Reus and Jefferson Street
- Baylen Street between Main and Wright Street
- Portions of Tarragona and Chase Street north of Garden Street
Vehicles will be towed if found on the parade route or the additional “no parking” zones when road closures begin.
Street closures will extend to Tarragona Street, DeVilliers Street, and Main Street. These are the same closures implemented at the 2025 Martin Luther King Jr. parade and the Pensacola Christmas parade.
Drivers and pedestrians are reminded to use caution in the area. Heavy parade and float traffic is expected between Wright Street and Main Street, impacting Garden Street, Palafox Street, and Spring Street.
For information on road closures, please contact the Pensacola Police Department at 850-435-1845.