They're Back! American Magic Sailing Team Returns to the Port of Pensacola

American Magic’s first AC75, “DEFIANT,” sailing in Portsmouth, RI. Copyright © Amory Ross / NYYC American Magic

New York Yacht Club American Magic, U.S. Challenger for the 36th America’s Cup, has returned to Pensacola. The Port of Pensacola will once again serve as the team’s winter training base.

American Magic is bringing back the Mule, the team's 38-foot test boat, along with its full-size AC75 boat. The team was formed in 2017 to win the America’s Cup, the highest prize in sailing and the oldest trophy in international sports.

American Magic’s first exposure to Pensacola came during July 2018, when Team Principal and CEO Hap Fauth (Naples, Florida) and team sailors Bora Gulari (Detroit, Michigan) and Caleb Paine (San Diego, California) gave an America’s Cup presentation to over 500 junior sailors, coaches and families at the Optimist U.S. National Championship hosted by Pensacola Yacht Club.

The Port of Pensacola features world-class facilities and a convenient location. Port assets include a wide and deep channel, thousands of feet of dockage, extensive indoor and outdoor storage, direct rail access, a full range of cargo handling equipment and an experienced staff.

The 36th America’s Cup match will take place in Auckland New Zealand, in March 2021. Prior to the America’s Cup, American Magic will compete in several America’s Cup World Series events and the Prada Cup, the Challenger selection finals. The Challenger who wins the Prada Cup in early 2021 will earn for the right to face the current Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand, in the America’s Cup match.

Welcome back, American Magic!

Learn more about American Magic on their website.

Save the Date: FDOT to Host Public Hearing on West Cervantes Street Project Dec. 10

The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing on the West Cervantes Street Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project Tuesday, Dec. 10 at the Fricker Community Center, 900 N. F St. The hearing will begin as an open house at 5 p.m., with a formal presentation at 5:30 p.m., followed by a public comment period.

This hearing is being held to provide interested persons an opportunity to express their views concerning the proposed improvements. FDOT is designing pedestrian safety and access improvements on West Cervantes from Dominguez Street to A Street. Proposed changes include reducing the width of the traffic lanes, adding crosswalks and pedestrian-controlled traffic signals, constructing a center median with a combination of plantings and a low barrier, adding new traffic signals, and adding supplementary lighting. The project is funded for construction with activities anticipated to begin fall 2020.

Maps, drawings and other information will be on display at the hearing. FDOT representatives will be available to discuss proposed improvements, answer questions, and receive comments. Additional information is available on the project website.

Pensacola Fire Department and Pensacola Police Department Meet with First Responders from Russia

Members of the Pensacola Fire Department and Pensacola Police Department hosted firefighters and search & rescue professionals from Russia last week through the Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council, introducing them to the city's firefighting and policing operations during their visit.

The Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council is the official host of U.S. Department of State delegations traveling to Northwest Florida, and this delegation focused on disaster management.

Group from Russia holds patches from Pensacola Police Department

Pensacola Police Officer with a dog and guest

Firefighter shows guests the inside of a fire truck

So Long, Cast Iron Pipes!

To celebrate the completion of a large-scale underground pipeline replacement project that spanned three years of construction and five project areas around downtown, Pensacola Energy held a special ceremony entitled Cast Iron Day at its operation center on Atwood Drive on Friday, Nov. 8.

In September 2019, Pensacola Energy replaced the last of its centuries-old cast iron piping system under Pensacola. To officially say farewell on Friday morning, Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson and Deputy City Administrator Keith Wilkins unveiled a new display memorializing the history of Pensacola’s cast iron piping at a special presentation breakfast for its staff. Cast Iron Day was also held to congratulate and acknowledge the Pensacola Energy staff’s hard work in eliminating and replacing the antiquated piping system.

Read more in Pensacola Energy's press release.

There's Still Time to Register for Youth Basketball

Registration is open now through Nov. 27 for the City of Pensacola's recreation basketball league at Vickrey Resource Center. The league is for players ages 5-14 and will run January through February 2020. The cost to participate is $72 for city residents and $83 for non-city residents. There are three ways to register: online, in person at the Vickrey Resource Center or by mailing registration to the Athletics division at Exchange Park, 3200 E. Lakeview Ave., Pensacola, FL 32503. Registration forms are available online at PlayPensacola.com

Cobb, Fricker and Woodland Heights Resource Centers have partnered to offer a Youth Recreational Basketball Training League for ages 5-14. Participants can register through Dec. 6 at any of those locations or online. The league will begin practices Dec. 18, and league play will be in January and February 2020. The cost is $25 for ages 5-7, $35 for ages 8-10 and 11-12, and $50 for ages 13-14.

For more more details, visit the Youth Basketball page.

INSTAGRAM: Photo of the Week

Be sure to tag us using @cityofpensacola so we see your pic!

Credit: @perspective_through_my_lens