PUBLIC INFORMATION:
July 12, 2023

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kaycee Lagarde
850-435-1623
klagarde@cityofpensacola.com

City of Pensacola Awarded Over $55 Million in State Grant Funding 

The City of Pensacola has been awarded over $55 million in state grant funding for several significant infrastructure and neighborhood revitalization projects, which will be transformative for the Pensacola community. 

The funding is part of $187 million awarded by Gov. Ron DeSantis to communities impacted by Hurricane Sally through the Florida Department of Commerce’s (FloridaCommerce) Rebuild Florida program. Rebuild Florida provides funding for local governments to strategically rebuild homes and harden infrastructure to prevent or mitigate losses from future disasters through multiple avenues.

"This funding is monumental for the City of Pensacola, allowing us to complete projects that will transform our community and impact Pensacola for generations to come," Mayor D.C. Reeves said. "I appreciate Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Florida Department of Commerce, Sen. Doug Broxson and state leadership for recognizing the importance of these projects and the benefits they will bring to citizens of Pensacola and our entire region."

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

“My administration has prioritized supporting businesses and communities impacted by hurricanes while they get back on their feet,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Today, I am happy to announce $187 million in awards to aid in recovery efforts following Hurricane Sally – an important step in helping Northwest Florida recover.”

"Governor Ron DeSantis continues to make good on his promise to support Northwest Florida communities with vital resources to recover from the damage caused by Hurricane Sally," said Senator Doug Broxson. "Today's awards will go a very long way to get people back in their homes and build up vital infrastructure to strengthen Northwest Florida's resiliency in the face of future storms.” 

The City of Pensacola was awarded funding for the following projects:

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 $5,861,500 through 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.

Read more about the funding awards in the press release from Gov. DeSantis' Office.