Florida Construction News staff writer

The City of Pensacola has been awarded more than $55 million in state grant funding for several large infrastructure and neighborhood revitalization projects.

“This funding is monumental, allowing us to complete projects that will transform our community and impact Pensacola for generations to come,” Mayor D.C. Reeves said.

The funding is part of $187 million awarded by Gov. Ron DeSantis to communities impacted by Hurricane Sally.

Applications for grants was coordinated by the newly formed City of Pensacola Grants Office, in collaboration with at least 10 other city departments.

Infrastructure Projects: $39,686,539.86

• Hollice T. Williams Stormwater Park Project: This project will include stormwater, flood mitigation, and other green infrastructure improvements to linear park to reduce area flooding and boost community resiliency.
• Port of Pensacola Infrastructure Restoration Project: This project will restore infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Sally to include rail, road, water, and stormwater drainage as well as mitigation improvements.
• Fricker Resource Center Demolition and Rebuild Project: This public facility project will include the demolition and rebuilding of the Fricker Resource Center social hall, harden infrastructure hardening, and stormwater mitigation on the property.

Revitalization Projects: $10,000,000

• Targeted Site Acquisition and Preparation within Former Baptist Health Care Campus: This project will include targeted property acquisition and preparation for reuse of the former Baptist Hospital Campus. Baptist Health Care anticipates relocation of its main hospital, currently located at E and West Moreno Street, to its new location on Brent Lane. The purpose of this project is to address potential blighting conditions that may result from the hospital’s relocation by facilitating reuse of the former campus.
• West Cervantes and Pace Boulevard Targeted Property Acquisition, Preparation and Rehabilitation: This project will include targeted property acquisition, preparation, and potential rehabilitation within LMI areas along West Cervantes Street and Pace Boulevard. The purpose of this project is to prevent and eliminate conditions of slum and blight by facilitating redevelopment within these commercial corridors.

The City of Pensacola was also awarded $5.8 million from the Rebuild Florida Housing Repair and Replacement Program.

The Rebuild Florida HRRP for Hurricane Sally is designed to provide funding for local governments to rebuild, replace or repair homes that were damaged by Hurricane Sally, helping impacted Floridians return to decent, safe and sanitary homes.

The funds are allocated to the state through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery Program.