Pensacola City Council Pauses Major Development Deal Amid Gentrification Concerns

Pensacola, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- The Pensacola City Council pulled a major redevelopment contract for the Baptist Hospital property Thursday night after more than 25 residents voiced concerns about gentrification and environmental contamination.

The deal with New Orleans-based Bayou District Consulting would have guided planning for the 50-acre site. Councilman DeLorean Wiggins voted no and requested the contract be pulled, allowing time for more community input.

"Something shifted in me tonight," Wiggins said. "What shifted is hearing the hurt in your voices. I am NOT moving forward with supporting this. I will stand with my community."

Community Concerns

Opposition centered on Bayou District's role in New Orleans' St. Bernard Housing Project redevelopment. Residents argued the company's approach led to displacement rather than community benefit.

"They destroyed lives in New Orleans," one speaker said. "The residents of St. Bernard were treated like dogs. They were pepper sprayed and tackled at City Council meetings."

Of 900 families originally in St. Bernard, only about 120 returned to the redeveloped site.

Environmental Worries

Residents also raised alarms about asbestos in the Baptist Hospital building. Those with demolition expertise warned improper handling could expose the neighborhood to health hazards.

"If we ran into unsafe levels of asbestos and we haven't even started taking precautions yet, what's going to happen when residents develop mesothelioma?" one resident asked.

What's Next

The city has already contracted demolition work, scheduled to take 18 months. With the Bayou District contract pulled, council will work with Wiggins and community members to establish a citizens advisory board before reconsidering the redevelopment approach.

Mayor DC Reeves emphasized the city acquired the property to prevent it from sitting abandoned and to give the community a voice in its future.