City Administrator David Stafford filled in for Mayor D.C. Reeves at Tuesday’s press conference, covering a wide range of city projects.
Fricker Center Renovation Moving Forward
Green Simmons was awarded a $7.8 million contract to renovate the Fricker Center. Funding comes from a combination of a Multi-Purpose Community Facility grant, Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds and Local Option Sales Tax money.
- Programs in the gymnasium will continue through the end of the school year, then pause until construction wraps up. The center is expected to reopen in June 2027. Families currently using Fricker for after-school care are being surveyed to help plan transportation and programming for the 2026-27 school year. Woodland Heights and Cobb Center will serve as alternate sites in the meantime.
The renovated facility will include a career lab, senior center, healthcare access, expanded stormwater infrastructure, increased parking, ADA-compliant updates and renovated restrooms, entryways and kitchen.
Barrancas Avenue Lane Reduction Starts Monday
Stafford gave residents a heads-up on significant traffic changes beginning Monday. Barrancas Avenue will be compressed from four lanes to two lanes for approximately seven weeks as the city and ECUA team up to improve drainage and install new sanitary sewer infrastructure at the three-way intersection of Barrancas, K and Main.
Phase One (six weeks): Westbound traffic on Main will be detoured via Ice Street. Vehicles trying to access Main Street via Barrancas will be detoured to High Street.
Phase Two: Southbound vehicles on K trying to access Barrancas will be detoured to Saragosa.
Neither phase will permit westbound traffic to make a left turn at the Barrancas intersection.
Palafox Construction on Track for May 24 Completion
The pavers on Palafox are 75% complete, Stafford reported. When pressed for a firm completion date, he confirmed May 24th—and held firm on it. “Under promise and over deliver,” he said.
Mayor’s Cleanup a Success
The latest Mayor’s Cleanup collected 32 loads of construction and demolition debris—approximately 70 tons—along with 100 tires, 401 gallon paint cans, 110 five-gallon buckets and more.
- The next cleanup is scheduled for April 25 and will cover the area generally north of Cervantes and west of 6th Avenue, including North Hill and West Pensacola.
FDOT Meeting Set for April 13 on Deadly Intersection
Following an exchange of letters between the city and FDOT over the dangerous intersection at the foot of the Three Mile Bridge, Stafford confirmed a meeting has been scheduled for April 13 in Pensacola with FDOT District Three officials and their consultants. Pensacola Police Department and Pensacola Fire Department will also participate. For more information, read my post.
- Also on the agenda for that meeting: the curve on Garden Street where a recent accident sent a vehicle into St. Michael’s Cemetery, damaging historic grave markers.
Inspired Communities TIF Rebate Application Under Review
Stafford addressed the development at Lot 5 at the Community Maritime Park, noting that Inspired Communities has filed an ARA TIF rebate application through the CRA. The 350-page application is currently being analyzed by the City’s CRA department.
- Stafford noted that the mayor and city administration remain in “fact-finding mode” and have not rendered an opinion on whether to endorse the request. He acknowledged that Inspired and its representatives have scheduled meetings with city council members, and said the administration looks forward to receiving the analysis report and hearing council feedback. He also noted that this application is separate from any anticipated Live Local funding request.
Stafford added that there is no indication of any slowdown in the project’s timeline, saying the administration still expects construction to begin this fall.
Baptist Hospital Campus: Community Health Deal Coming to Council
On the Baptist Hospital legacy campus, Stafford said the process for one lot designated for community health use is on the agenda for the next council meeting. The process involves three steps: declaring the property surplus, removing it from the CRA to allow for donation, and finalizing the agreement with Community Health. He noted there is still one outstanding item being discussed by the legal department, but the items are currently on the agenda.
Alice Williams Daycare Site Moving Through Process
Community Action Program Committee has been selected to operate childcare at the Alice Williams site. City staff met with the organization on Monday to discuss maintenance, lease terms and a site visit. The lease terms will go through the CRA process before coming to the City Council for approval.
Alexander Stoddard Statue Headed to Bayview Park
The Parks & Rec Advisory Board unanimously approved the donation of a statue honoring Alexander Stoddard from the Pensacola Heritage Foundation. The statue will be placed at Bayview Park, the land Stoddard originally donated to the city. Stafford said the item is expected to go before City Council in April.
- Background: Alexander Stoddard built and owned the estate known as Fairnie Hill in East Hill. He was the founder and manager of the New York Underwriters Agency and owner/developer of the Lakeview Tract.
Land Development Code Workshop Set for April 7
The next public engagement phase of the city’s land development code update is a Planning Board workshop scheduled for April 7 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Inspired Placemaking will make a full presentation, with the goal of the Planning Board issuing a recommendation this summer so a draft can go before the City Council in August.
Chappie James Memorial Plaza Update Coming
When asked about the Chappie James Memorial Plaza, Stafford said a meeting is scheduled for next week.