CRA approves 100% design for Alice Williams Library restoration; staff to solicit bids

The Community Redevelopment Agency approved the 100% design plans for the Alice Williams Library restoration project and authorized staff to solicit bids.

Dina Stallworth, property lease manager for the City of Pensacola, presented the project overview and said the current direction for the restored building is to support childcare—an adjunct to services at the Fricker Center—but noted the West Side Redevelopment Board had expressed a preference for senior center uses. Stallworth said the building will be upgraded for safety and accessibility, including a sprinkler system and ADA-compliant restroom reconfiguration, to allow flexible future uses.

Board members and members of the public discussed potential uses and whether the city should sell or lease the property. Stallworth said disposal was not currently planned; the property previously was considered surplus but community opposition and historic value prompted the city to retain it and pursue restoration with grant funding. Resident James Gulley and other public commenters supported continued community-focused uses such as childcare or senior services and suggested local nonprofit or minority-owned childcare operators might lease the site.

Board members expressed support for using the restored building for childcare and noted the project’s historic preservation history, thanking councilmembers and state partners who helped secure funding. The motion to approve the plans and proceed to bid solicitation passed 6-0.

Project managers said substantial completion is targeted around September (date in packet) and that staff will coordinate community engagement and potential lease or partnership arrangements as the restoration advances.