PUBLIC INFORMATION:
April 13, 2023

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kaycee Lagarde
klagarde@cityofpensacola.com

Public Comment Period Now Open for City Revitalization Project Grant Applications

The City of Pensacola is pursuing state grant funding for several revitalization projects, with plans to apply for funding to complete property acquisition and/or rehabilitation at three locations in the city.

A public comment period to obtain citizen comments concerning the city’s intent to apply for these specific projects is now open from through April 28, 2023. Written comments may be submitted using the online public comment form.

Final grant application submission will take place by May 1, 2023. 

The funding is available through the Rebuild Florida Hometown Revitalization Program, which is part of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity's Hurricane Sally Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery Program.

DEO’s Rebuild Florida Hurricane Sally Hometown Revitalization Program was launched with approximately $13.5 million available for revitalization activities in communities impacted by Hurricane Sally. Program goals include revitalization of commercial districts, prevention or elimination of slums and blight and benefit to low-to-moderate income, or LMI, populations. Applications are due to DEO May 1, 2023. 

The Rebuild Florida Hometown Revitalization Program is designed to support the recovery of economic activity in commercial areas of Hurricane Sally-impacted communities, facilitating the return and recovery of businesses, jobs, and provision of goods and services to the area.

The City of Pensacola has expressed its support of submitting projects for HRP funding by way of a Council Resolution adopted at the March 23 City Council Meeting. The city anticipates submittal of applications for the following activities:

• 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. Estimated CDBG-DR request: $5 million.
• 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. Estimated CDBG-DR request: $5 million.
• North Palafox Street Targeted Property Acquisition, Preparation and Rehabilitation: This project will include targeted property acquisition, preparation and potential rehabilitation within LMI areas along North Palafox Street. The purpose of this project is to prevent and eliminate conditions of slum and blight by facilitating redevelopment within this commercial corridor. Estimated CDBG-DR request: $5 million.

In developing a CDBG-DR application, the city plans to minimize displacement of persons as a result of these activities. It is not anticipated that any proposed activities will result in displacement. 

Information regarding the proposed projects can be accessed at cityofpensacola.com. A draft application can be obtained by request. For more information about the proposed projects or to request a draft application, please contact Joel Hollon at jhollon@cityofpensacola.com or 850-435-1824.

Individuals seeking accommodations for disabled or non-English speaking persons wishing to provide a response to this public notice should contact Kevin Boyer at 850-435-1822 or by emailing kboyer@cityofpensacola.com at least seven calendar days prior to the comment deadline in order to allow time to provide requested services.