(PENSACOLA) --- A request for proposals is underway for the Baptist Hospital Legacy Campus.
The Community Redevelopment Board met Tuesday, June 16, to discuss the phased proposals for the 53-acre campus.
(Photo: Presentation slide for 53-acre Baptist property)
According to staff documents, the firm selected to retain a Community Engagement Lead and a Community Benefits Lead. Councilwoman Jennifer Brahier pointed out why the last solicitation was unclear.
“I think the last one was murky in that it put too much stuff together in one and left it murky on who the developer was,” Brahier said of the proposal that includes community engagement and potential design. “This one takes the developer out.”
Council President Allison Patton said she thinks “it's incredibly important to have both the public input and the feasibility analysis as part of the first phase."
“We certainly don't want to design something that we can't actually execute,” Patton said.
Councilman Jared Moore asked about the selection committee and was told that the current recommendation is 3 staff members and 2 community members.
(Photo: Councilman Jared Moore at the June 17 Community Redevelopment Agency meeting)
While the RFP moved forward 6-0, the $125K award for a Commercial Property Improvement Program (CPIP) at 1625 West Garden Street did not.
“I actually find myself a little conflicted with this one more than I thought I would be,” Moore said. “I drove by, and kind of the way I always envisioned this CPIP was that it would take blighted structures that maybe were on the verge of demolition.”
The fact that it is not blighted causes a problem, according to Councilman Charles Bare.
(Photo: Presentation slide for 1625 West Garden Street, which was rejected for a commercial investment award)
“I guess I have a little bit of a challenge with it too, just because I feel like there are probably properties out there that have a higher need and probably are more blighted that could use these funds,” Bare said.
Mr. Weeks of East LaRose Street applauded board members for rejecting the CPIP award.
“We've lived there for 45 years, and we were there before the Urban Core CRA was formed in 1984,” Weeks said. “It was done to eliminate blight because downtown was a ghost town.”
Weeks said his neighborhood, consisting of 40 square blocks, has been taxed since then and “none of it has been spent in our neighborhood.”
Weeks continued to note his concern that new CRA expansions will lead to similar neglect.
(Photo: Resident Mr. Weeks argues funds for downtown improvement take away from neighborhood improvements where he lives)
“I feel like it's a slight on us when we see everything going on downtown, but nothing in our neighborhood,” Weeks said. “And that's my complaint.”
Board members closed out the meeting, posting notice for the CRA Fiscal Year 2027 budget workshop on July 23.
The OpGov.News platform also reported on the meeting, highlighting key takeaways for residents who could not attend.
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