Residents seek answers on Cordova Regency ownership and tenant displacements; city staff say project not city-led

Residents from the Whispers Subdivision raised concerns during the public hearing that the Cordova Regency apartment complex, near 12th Avenue and Bayou Boulevard, had changed hands and was being converted into affordable housing, potentially displacing long-time tenants.

Tom Ritchie, president of the Whisper Subdivision homeowners association, said residents had been told tenants were not being offered lease renewals and that exterior work such as roofing and siding had been observed. "We have heard that there's a possibility or that it's already been transitioned ... into the affordable housing type thing," Ritchie said while asking what the city could confirm.

Tracy Pickens, City of Pensacola housing staff, responded that her office had not been involved with the project "to my knowledge" and described the property as privately owned. Pickens recommended avenues for neighbors to follow up, including checking the county property appraiser website for ownership records and searching building-permit databases for any construction activity that would require permits. She also offered to do additional research for the residents.

Committee members added that if the conversion uses public funds or incentives, it would trigger different oversight and permitting requirements; if it is a private ownership change without public dollars, the city’s housing office may have limited authority over leases or rent-setting. Members encouraged residents to file public-records requests and to check permit history to clarify whether upgrades or renovations are being performed under city oversight.

The claim about tenant displacement and the property's funding status was not resolved during the hearing; staff committed to look into records and provide information at a future meeting.

The committee approved the 2025 incentive plan in the same meeting and closed the public-comment period.