[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6096764,"mediaKeyId","2830747-bd27daedc70e2cba7c2594f508501249","parentId",2830747,"title","Staff reports: TAP-funded sidewalk designs, Alice Williams library plans and CDBG work on Cervantes/Pace and Baptist campus","audioSeconds",525,"startMs",3525000,"endMs",4050000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2830747-bd27daedc70e2cba7c2594f508501249&start=3525&end=4050","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2830747-bd27daedc70e2cba7c2594f508501249/thumbnail_3525000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6096764/Pensacola/Escambia-County/Florida/Staff-reports-TAP-funded-sidewalk-designs-Alice-Williams-library-plans-and-CDBG-work-on-CervantesPace-and-Baptist-campus","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6096764-f081a46b1aa8326631d9260fd5c479da/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186411&Signature=Z9dE5RHNNJU7Cwg6zFkmzOCt3HhtiWQPKzzO~aBM-rUwpannd3azBDYaZ-GZkHAVtf757FKzqBFDpb9oRIEPNMyL1o8JLOw39jlppC147yBKaNZv-o484ihQAd1r~F~t456pU1Mzeve~obxSBWaCqI59TNq-Pwp4b9GvXVQm8b~RpS4d9GWEO3GjOwLH-y~Kib-6JqXTkEZLT8x16CDMleFL84eZr-UFD8n980m4PKYEaXUBTfwIx5pN2pGHZDnfzOloFh4evmEN8J4O4Q333NX4XylZE38fsnqdQZa3fI3tULo8NHrgIAjlu5F9u5ib69wISSGx2kHEEfYcyhkqzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Pensacola, FL ","date","2025-03-25T00:00:00Z","article","City staff reported several project updates and near-term actions for the Westside CRA during the meeting.

Connectivity to Legion Field: Victoria (CRA staff) said the Legion Field connectivity project, funded in part by Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding through the regional TPO, is at approximately 90 percent design and includes sidewalk improvements along L Street, Gregory Street and a short portion of Wright Street. If bid results leave additional funds, staff will consider pedestrian-scale lighting. Board members asked that the city coordinate with property owners affected by sidewalk work and utility relocations; one board member noted that chain-link fences, power poles and fire hydrants may need to be moved and urged proactive homeowner notification.

Alice Williams Library restoration: Staff presented schematic plans for interior modifications to make the Alice Williams Library building more usable; potential reuse concepts discussed included auxiliary space for the Fricker Center, event space or an auxiliary childcare/senior center. Staff said the immediate scope is interior improvements to support future uses rather than locking in a specific program at this time.

CDBG mapping and Baptist campus procurement: Staff presented maps for two CDBG-funded opportunities. A commercial-redevelopment/rehabilitation area along Cervantes and Pace was shown as a large pink area for scope-of-grant considerations; staff said they will hire a consultant to develop a retail strategy and to scope how the grant would be applied. For the Baptist Hospital campus (a large, complex area), staff said the city is procuring environmental services required for CDBG compliance; an environmental firm selection was mid-procurement at the time of the meeting and staff expected an award recommendation to the mayor and council soon. Staff noted that the city will pursue a development-consultant RFP to study the broader redevelopment of the Baptist campus and to inform any potential master-planning or master-developer steps.

Funding and sequencing: Staff reiterated that the CDBG funds are likely to focus on commercial parcels south of Reno Street in the Baptist area; staff also said that the implementation chapter and TIF projections for the Westside plan will help prioritize investments and that separate master-planning or development consulting will be needed for large sites.

Board members raised questions about earlier planning work for the Baptist campus, and staff agreed to locate and share previous studies and to coordinate future engagement to avoid \"engagement fatigue\" among residents who participated in prior efforts. Staff also confirmed they will check slide content to ensure bus shelter improvements and transit coordination are listed in plan materials.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Pensacola Westside Redevelopment Board Meeting Mar 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","CRA staff updated the Westside Redevelopment Board on several active projects: a TAP-funded sidewalk/lighting design for Legion Field connectivity nearing final design, an interior restoration for Alice Williams Library, CDBG commercial-redevelopment mapping for Cervantes/Pace and procurement for environmental studies at the Baptist campus site.","taxTitle","Pensacola, Escambia County, Florida","taxId",56151,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6096769,"Westside board adopts project priorities; connectivity and housing resiliency top the list",2908,3452000,6360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2830747-bd27daedc70e2cba7c2594f508501249&start=3452&end=6360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2830747-bd27daedc70e2cba7c2594f508501249/thumbnail_3452000.jpg","/articles/6096769/Pensacola/Escambia-County/Florida/Westside-board-adopts-project-priorities-connectivity-and-housing-resiliency-top-the-list","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6096769-67ef2f1515ed732bc8f52091cc9d3bfa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186411&Signature=NboIkLvMM8ezad93-0YJHNeGnbWyyvq4D8Xn2quwjYAQtM5FEfdjQRPNCHGpkeBHu9CIShAKybKUatgmn81iQKs3x5T7m5sL93CaI7kc-U7iqSNsNENd87i0AXgo-4-QDfwGZ29Afy-caRJtgwPE9JwqQa-33eWOwtK-p~qnFQHXBxahKB35t~8XDrixbWZxH-H-nSzL1JqyOg5eW9gfQ8CYOviETTxfbxYmFCJ8XIWUcHpjuMrLDl~fhl8Dxn8UFEaUqkQEib8D8INKAaE9ovD88Gj84JIofOtfbHKS9cP~8d5elYrrWic52Zlc08kyXmf~-8jS21-w1wKA1LbbPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westside Redevelopment Board voted unanimously to adopt an updated project-priority list that adds several projects from the newly adopted redevelopment plan and sets top priorities for the coming budget cycle.

During the meeting staff proposed cleaning up the board's project list and adding missing, plan-recommended projects. Board members agreed to remove the previously rescinded Garden Street landscaping item and to add the Gibson School redevelopment, a Cervantes Street infill strategy, a Barancas Avenue corridor strategy, and the Baptist Hospital campus redevelopment to the project list. The board also added two studies: a review of minimum lot sizes in parts of the Westside and a sidewalk-improvement study aimed at identifying missing sidewalks and prioritizing connections.

Board members then prioritized the updated list. The board's stated priorities, in order, are:
1) Connectivity projects (including A Street, Barancas Avenue, Pace Boulevard, Gregory Street and Cervantes Street); the highest-ranked street within that category is A Street and board members emphasized safe routes for students (Pace-Gregory connections) as a near-term need.
2) Hardening houses and commercial properties through the Residential Property Improvement Program (RPIP), resiliency measures and the Commercial Property Improvement Program (CPIP).
3) Infill (commercial and residential) and catalytic redevelopment, including targeted actions around Gibson School and parcels identified in the plan.

Victoria (CRA staff) said staff will repeat the adopted changes in writing and return a consolidated list to the board for inclusion in CRA and budget planning. The board voted to accept the updated project list and priorities; the motion, moved and seconded on the record, passed 5-0.","The Westside Redevelopment Board adopted a list of updated project priorities and removed a Garden Street landscaping item; the priorities emphasize connectivity (A Street highest), housing resiliency programs and infill development, and the board voted 5-0 to adopt the list.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6096774,"Westside Redevelopment Board adopts amended and restated redevelopment plan after consultant presentation",2979,360000,3339000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2830747-bd27daedc70e2cba7c2594f508501249&start=360&end=3339","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2830747-bd27daedc70e2cba7c2594f508501249/thumbnail_360000.jpg","/articles/6096774/Pensacola/Escambia-County/Florida/Westside-Redevelopment-Board-adopts-amended-and-restated-redevelopment-plan-after-consultant-presentation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6096774-92b36be1054b039d3131a29118803e47/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186411&Signature=KJJ6Agdm3~rtP9g0IOZqix1XwBmPcVUKOw2Eyc4AoG-FTkL-BvjAyBfEJ4YtBRiMYcW4I8WkGSjtt4X0vQIAVP3bU6dlGoLS8RVKT27rioNW5LpLIFhGfMswI-5aV-xK8YQiGPcqY5ZWdxylQZlPtdhBHy~fLRa18e1vwlaFAm3Z4XvFV-EZTLIhhkhjaxYIwJ5qW636B2WrfWXC5fM60tR71FIJ9OjTsJuGsM909-yqFg3pg5N3dxA10vHmkryTBsxP8ZRJHyWAas8D8V7EJ~p67yPCmbFXVAcOYu3JGCYkyNAbix8usAKPhY~o9f7wccJ40HFYQnxOnq1qL-H1fQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westside Redevelopment Board voted 4-1 to accept an amended and restated Westside redevelopment plan that will replace the district's existing plan, board members said during their meeting. The motion to accept the draft \"West Side redevelopment plan to 2025\" was made and seconded before the board's vote.

The plan, presented by Megan O'Hara of Urban Design Associates, lays out goals and recommended projects across six categories: land use, economic development, neighborhood development, housing, transportation (streets and parking), and open space and community amenities. O'Hara said the process included four steps — listening, testing project ideas, evaluating feasibility and moving through adoption — and drew on a consulting team that included HDR (transportation), James Lee (market analysis) and Monwyn Consulting (engagement).

Board members and staff emphasized the plan's community-based origin: O'Hara said the engagement process produced more than 2,000 comments from in-person and virtual meetings, stakeholder events, pop-up workshops, youth events and online surveys, and a post-workshop survey received 74 responses. The plan also records resident priorities such as preserving cultural landmarks: O'Hara said 83% of respondents called the Gibson School an important cultural landmark that should be preserved and reused.

At the heart of the recommendations are several \"special demonstration projects\" intended to concentrate public investment and signal change along targeted corridors. Those include a Barancas Avenue strategy (including an option to reduce a four-lane cross-section to a three-lane street with a center turn lane to allow space for street trees and a multi-use trail), a Cervantes Street corridor strategy focused between A and F streets, redevelopment options for the Gibson School site (adaptive reuse and adjoining housing or incubator space), and planning for the American Creosote Works (ACW) Superfund site, where O'Hara described an east–west containment area, a dry detention pond and potential park programming on capped land.

The consultant also presented transportation and connectivity recommendations such as walking and biking connections between CRA districts, potential trail links to the Sun Trail and Bluff Line Trail, and intersection safety improvements at major barriers such as Cervantes. On zoning and design, the plan recommends targeted design and site standards for CRA-funded projects so they better fit neighborhood character and recommends a focused review of minimum lot sizes in parts of the Westside to address mismatches between current minimums and neighborhood patterns.

On financing and implementation, staff and consultants described a TIF-based revenue projection model. Victoria (city staff) said the implementation chapter will include revenue projections and a methodology that factors in a \"park premium\" for properties proximate to new parks and models how public investments can stimulate private investment and additional TIF revenue. Board members pressed for a TIF table and a prioritization tool; staff said a more detailed implementation plan will be prepared for CRA review rather than as a city-council-adopted statutory element.

Board discussion ranged from traffic impacts of lane reductions on Barancas and Cervantes to preserving historic cemeteries and ensuring that large redevelopment projects such as the Baptist Hospital site are linked to workforce development and neighborhood benefits. Following discussion, the board voted to accept the plan. The motion as recorded in the meeting materials was approved by a 4-1 vote.

The board thanked the consultant and staff for the work and directed staff to carry the project forward to the CRA and city-council review as required by the plan adoption process.

The plan's adoption sets the policy framework for future CRA-funded projects; specific projects, funding and implementation sequencing will be determined later through CRA project approvals and budget processes.","The Westside Redevelopment Board voted 4-1 to accept an amended and restated Westside redevelopment plan after a presentation from Urban Design Associates that outlined goals, corridors, special demonstration projects and TIF-based financing projections.","actionData","errors"]

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Staff reports: TAP-funded sidewalk designs, Alice Williams library plans and CDBG work on Cervantes/Pace and Baptist campus

Westside board adopts project priorities; connectivity and housing resiliency top the list

Westside Redevelopment Board adopts amended and restated redevelopment plan after consultant presentation