Community Maritime Park Facing Key Votes this Week

In 1996, the City of Pensacola first started looking at opportunities to improve what is now known as the Trillium Property along the waterfront in downtown Pensacola. This week, the long process of looking for and finding a worthy project could conclude with yes votes by the Community Maritime Park Board and the City Council to move forward with the development of the Community Maritime Park and Vice Admiral John H. Fetterman State of Florida Maritime Museum.

“Pensacola: A Proud Past, A Better Tomorrow,” a BLAB-TV show hosted by Debbie Ritchie, airs a look at the development timeline and potential economic impact of positive voting results this week. BLAB-TV is a Pensacola-based cable access channel, which Cox Cable customers can find at channel 6 and Mediacom customers can locate at channel 38.

Mayor Mike Wiggins and Katie White, a Community Maritime Park Associates (CMPA) board member, are guests in the first segment of the show. Both will detail the due diligence that has been involved in the review process for this project by the CMPA board, the City Council, attorneys and the master developer, and what lies ahead in order for the development process to begin.

In the second segment of the show, Lumon May, former State House District 3 candidate and current Director of May's Construction, will discuss planned minority inclusion in the Community Maritime Park project, and other development projects that are underway in the downtown area.

In the final segment of Pensacola: A Proud Past, A Better Tomorrow, Nancy Fetterman, honorary chair for the Vice Admiral John H. Fetterman State of Florida Maritime Museum, and Dr. Dean Van Galen, vice president for university advancement at the University of West Florida, will provide detailed plans and renderings for the museum. Dr. Van Galen will also discuss the role of the university in this project and provide an update on current fundraising efforts. Other Honorary Chairs for the museum include Senator John McCain, Senator Bill Nelson, Tom Benson (owner of the New Orleans Saints) and David Hartman (former Good Morning America Host).

For more information or to suggest topics for “Pensacola: A Proud Past, A Better Tomorrow,” please contact George Scarborough.