Pensacola Looks Beyond Bay Center With Broader Redevelopment Plan; Tech Park Investor Interested

Pensacola, FL (NewsRadio 92.3) -- Pensacola officials are considering a broader redevelopment strategy for the area surrounding the Pensacola Bay Center — regardless of what ultimately happens to the arena itself.

Councilwoman Allison Patton raised the idea during Monday's Community Redevelopment Agency meeting, calling for a more comprehensive look at the Bay Center area, Pensacola Technology Park, Wright and Alcaniz streets and connections between the district, downtown and Hollice T. Williams Park.

Rather than commission another isolated study, Patton said the goal would be to combine previous work into a broader plan addressing economic development, walkability, transportation and surrounding properties.

The discussion also produced a potentially significant update involving the long-vacant Technology Park.

Patton said there is an interested private investor discussing a partnership with the Pensacola-Escambia Development Commission on a speculative building at the site.

She said those discussions are underway and appear to be advancing. No potential investor was publicly identified during the meeting.

Mayor D.C. Reeves said the broader planning effort could examine streets, walkability, connectivity, the Tech Park and economic-development opportunities outside whatever footprint is ultimately used for the Bay Center.

The CRA generally supported continuing to develop the concept, although no specific planning contract or expenditure was approved Monday.

The idea comes as Pensacola and Escambia County continue discussing the long-term future of the Bay Center and surrounding publicly owned property.

The proposed CRA effort would focus on ensuring development around the arena site is coordinated with the larger downtown area rather than treating each property as an isolated project.