Eastside plan update: special meeting set, Hollis T. Williams stormwater design draws neighborhood questions, two‑way conversion remains unfunded

CRA staff told the Eastside Redevelopment Board that the draft Eastside redevelopment plan will be attached to the agenda for a special board meeting on March 11 at 3:30 p.m., and asked members to review the draft and be prepared to make a recommendation to the CRA and planning board.

"On March 11 at 3:30, we're having a special meeting," the presenter said, asking board members to attend because the board’s recommendation will be forwarded to the CRA board and then to the planning board for adoption.

Staff said the plan update process began in May 2024 with workshops and public outreach; the consultant UDA and staff reported more than 2,000 total comments across all districts. The presentation distilled six focus areas for Eastside: zoning and development services, economic development, neighborhood development, housing (including affordable housing), open space and community amenities, and transportation (streets and parking).

Two-way conversion planning: The presentation showed conceptual before-and-after images for a two-way conversion of Martin Luther King, Alkines and Davis, and staff clarified there is no funding identified for the conversion. A board member asked whether Escambia County or FDOT would contribute; staff responded that FDOT has authority over state roads and that the state has indicated it could transfer control of Martin Luther King and Davis to the city only if the city pays for improvements and ongoing maintenance. Staff also noted a small portion of the corridor lies in Escambia County.

Hollis T. Williams project: The board discussed the Hollis T. Williams site, which currently is funded to address stormwater. Residents raised questions about whether the project would remain primarily stormwater infrastructure or evolve into a park with amenities once additional funding is available. Staff said the current $25 million funding is aimed at stormwater needs and that designers plan a 30% schematic-design review at a public meeting the same evening at the Cobb Center; staff urged attendees to review the schematic because design work becomes harder to change after that stage.

"Tonight is the night that you can go affect change," a board member said, referring to the schematic review; another noted, "That's what the money is funding it for is for stormwater at this point." The presenter added that the stormwater approach includes a conduit to move runoff toward the bay and that engineers are evaluating how Long Hollow and other drainage features will tie into the system.

Ice House and parking: The draft envisions a pedestrian market around the Ice House building; staff said the school board owns the Ice House property and that negotiations would be needed to use the parking lot. Staff reported exploring shared parking with nearby churches and other parcels as short-term options.

CRA boundaries and funding: Among recommendations, staff said the plan may include a finding of necessity to explore expanding the Eastside CRA boundary because the current district is among the smallest and receives limited TIF funds. Staff said the map under consideration is large and will be narrowed as appropriate during the review process.

Public outreach and next steps: Staff reminded board members of one-on-one meetings scheduled the week before the special meeting and said drafts will be circulated when available. The presentation also noted existing neighborhood branding efforts and partnerships with institutions such as the General Chappie James Museum and Flight Academy.

No formal decisions were adopted at the meeting; staff sought the board’s input at the upcoming special meeting and in scheduled one-on-one sessions.