I got tied up working on another project and missed Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves’ weekly press conference, but I did watch it on YouTube this morning.
Baptist Hospital Bids Within Budget
The big news: bids for the Baptist Hospital redevelopment project have come within budget.
- “We’re certainly pleased and very, very optimistic that we have the budget to get it done,” said Reeves. The city received five proposals by the Feb. 26 deadline, with presentations scheduled for April 3 and contract award expected by late April or early May.
The funding has been the biggest hurdle facing the demolition of the “legacy” campus in the West Moreno District. The city has committed $1 million, and Escambia County has pledged $2 million. Reeves plans to meet with county officials in mid-March to discuss their contribution.
Airport Traffic Up 20%
The Pensacola International Airport saw a 20% increase in traffic compared to the same period last year, with weekend traffic up 25%. Reeves attributed this to the combination of Foiling Week and Mardi Gras bringing visitors to town. He noted that Silver Airways, representing about 3% of the airport’s traffic, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and canceled Orlando service.
Other Transportation
Reeves announce plans for a laser-based warning system for the Graffiti Bridge to prevent truck collisions. According to FDOT, this would be the first such system in Florida.
The city’s plan to convert MLK and Davis from one-way to two-way streets is progressing. Reeves explained the goal is to make these residential areas safer by slowing traffic, noting that studies show two lanes of one-way traffic are less safe in residential neighborhoods.
Other updates included:
– The city’s Housing Department earned its first “high performer” rating from HUD since 2017
– The Fire Department is holding car seat safety checks this week
– Mardi Gras safety measures received positive feedback, with no incidents reported
– The Gibson School acquisition is moving forward with a focus on historic preservation
Reeves also expressed excitement about Foiling Week’s success and the growing “blue economy” initiatives centered around the port.
“We’re all excited about American Magic, and they’ve given us the ability as a community to plant our flag as a sailing destination in the United States,” said the mayor. “But the bread and butter of the economic return for American Magic is going to be in events like Foiling Week. I expect we’ll have six or eight national or international-level regattas in 2026. That is where, to me, the real fuel for our economy and the real fuel for really our vitality and quality of life in the city is to have all of these people coming in from all over the world that get to experience Pensacola for the first time, spend some of their money here and want to come back.”
BACKGROUND:
From the Florida Ports Council – Feb. 20:
“Port leaders from PortMiami, JAXPORT and Port Tampa Bay addressed lawmakers in a two-hour presentation at the request of Subcommittee Chair Representative Chip LaMarca.
Feeding, fueling and healing Floridians is a top priority for Florida’s ports. It was a pleasure to provide lawmakers with an overview of our recent Critical Commodities Report, which shows that Florida’s maritime activity represents a strong 12.% of the state’s $1.6 trillion GDP.
As Florida’s population continues growing, robust investments in seaport infrastructure is essential for maintaining a strong supply chain. Modern ports, combined with our efficient operations, enables smooth cargo movement, while also minimizing delays and disruptions in the delivery of goods supporting Florida’s economic stability.”
