Northwest Florida Business Climate October 2014

2014 / 2015

10TH ANNIVERSARY DOWNTOWN ISSUE

TEN

IMPORTANT BUSINESS CHANGES FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS | WAYS TO GET EDUCATED SPACES TO LIVE AND WORK | SPORTS ACTIVITIES ARTS & CULTURE IMPACTS | NEW BUSINESSES PEOPLE WHO MAKE DOWNTOWN GREAT

2014

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PENSACOL A SY M P H O N Y O RC H ES T R A

2014 | 2015

CONCERT SEASON

ClARINET BEL CANTO

OpENING NiGHT!

November 8, 2014 | 8pm

October 4, 2014 | 8pm

Anthony McGill, clarinet

Glenn Dicterow, violin

Mozart Overture to The Marriage of Figaro

Rossini Overture to Barber of Seville

Beethoven Violin Concerto in D Major Barber Medea’s Dance of Vengeance Ravel Daphnis et Chloé, Suite No. 2

BEEThOVEN & BLUE JEANS January 10, 2015 | 8pm

Donizetti Concertino for Clarinet Copland Clarinet Concerto Schumann Symphony No. 2

DON QUiXOTE march 7, 2015 | 8pm

Scott kluksdahl, cello

Joseph Alessi, trombone

Beethoven Leonore Overture Rota Trombone Concerto

Strauss Don Quixote

Bernstein Symphonic Dances from West Side Story

Mendelssohn Symphony No. 4, “Italian”

Ives Variations on America And much more!

O p t i O n a l cO n c e r t

ORGAN SYMPHONY

RUSSIAN SPECTACULAR

April 25, 2015 | 8pm

march 28, 2015 | 8pm

kenneth fuchs, composer

ilya Yakushev, piano

Respighi Fountains of Rome

Rimsky-Korsakov Capriccio espagnole Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 3

Fuchs Atlantic Riband

Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 2, “Little Russian”

Saint-Saëns Symphony No. 3, “Organ Symphony”

ByRON STRIplING IN

CElEBRATE

THE NEW YEAR! December 31, 2014 | 7pm Lindsay Deutsch, violin

“One of the most interesting, imaginative, and downright thrilling young violinists in America today.”

—J. kahane, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra

SOUNDS OF NEw ORlEANS:

A TRIBUTE TO LOUIS ARMSTRONG February 14, 2015 | 8pm “Mr. Stripling is a powerful trumpeter, at ease with the most complicated and detailed bebop lines and an open-armed Armstrong swagger.”

—New York Times

CALL NOw fOR SEASON TiCkETS!

850.435.2533

www.pENSACOlASymphONy.COm

nwflbusinessclimate.com | Business Climate | 3

Artists And repertoire subject to chAnge. All concerts performed At the sAenger theAtre.

from the publisher’s pen

The downtown issue of Northwest Florida’s Business

have tried to capture a complete, holistic view of our fair

Climate is always near and dear to me. For months, our

area and condense vast amounts of information and data

staff brainstorms ideas, cultivates material and economic

into a pleasing, digestible format.

data, conducts interviews and so on, to give you, our

I hope you’ll be surprised, as we were, at just how

dear readers, material and information that is of the

much downtown has to offer and how much it has grown.

highest quality and use to you. We’ve been doing this for

Take for example John Appleyard’s article on the 10 most

10 years now, and every year it is a special experience.

monumentous happenings in downtown history; we’ve

TO SUBSCRIBE: contact (850) 433-1166 ext. 30 or info@ballingerpublishing.com come a long way. And then take for example Josh Newby’s article on ten future events that will impact downtown; there are many, many exciting happenings on the horizon.

We are not all we could be, but we are certainly not what we once were. Both of these trends highlight a positive direction that we are taking toward truly becoming a turnkey downtown that people want to live in, shop at, visit, and move to.

I’m almost as excited for you to read this issue as I am to see what downtown occurrences will inspire us next year.

Our offices are located downtown, much of our staff lives near downtown, and we all have intimate knowledge of downtown proceedings. It is with great pride, then, that we present our tenth anniversary downtown issue.

In this issue, we took that number ‘10’ and applied it to various important aspects of downtown. From 10 sports activities and arts and culture resources, to 10 ways to get educated and 10 spaces to live and work downtown, we

4 | Business Climate | nwflbusinessclimate.com

Reader Services Letters We welcome your letters and comments. Send letters to Ballinger Publishing PO Box 12665 Pensacola, FL 32591 or contact specific staff members under the Contact Us: Staff Info link on ballingerpublishing.com

Writing Opportunities We are always willing to consider article ideas. Please send queries to Josh Newby, business editor, at josh@ballingerpublishing.com, or care of Josh to the postal address.

nwflbusinessclimate.com | Business Climate | 5

BusinessClimate

Contents

DOWNTOWN ISSUE

8: TEN MOST IMPORTANT BUSINESS CHANGES 13: TEN FUTURE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENTS 18: TEN WAYS TO GET EDUCATED 25: TEN SPACES TO LIVE AND WORK DOWNTOWN 34: TEN SPORTS THAT ARE A WIN FOR DOWNTOWN 40: TEN ARTS AND CULTURE IMPACTS 46: TEN NEW BUSINESSES 52: TEN PEOPLE ON WHAT MAKES DOWNTOWN GREAT

6 | Business Climate | nwflbusinessclimate.com

Cover image courtesy of Frank Abbott Photography

OCTOBER 2014

Publisher Malcolm Ballinger malcolm@ballingerpublishing.com Executive Editor Kelly Oden kelly@ballingerpublishing.com BC Editor/Design & Layout Josh Newby josh@ballingerpublishing.com Art Director Rita Laymon rita@ballingerpublishing.com Graphic Designer & Ad Coordinator Guy Stevens guy@ballingerpublishing.com Editor Emily Lullo emily@ballingerpublishing.com Editorial Interns Christian Pacheco, Sarah Walter Sales & Marketing Sharyon Miller, Account Executive sharyon@ballingerpublishing.com Becky Hildebrand, Account Executive becky@ballingerpublishing.com Contributor: John Appleyard

Owners Malcolm & Glenys Ballinger Publisher Malcolm Ballinger · malcolm@ballingerpublishing.com Executive Editor Kelly Oden · kelly@ballingerpublishing.com Art Director Rita Laymon · rita@ballingerpublishing.com Graphic Designer & Ad Coordinator Guy Stevens · guy@ballingerpublishing.com Editor Emily Lullo · emily@ballingerpublishing.com Business Editor Josh Newby · josh@ballingerpublishing.com Sales & Marketing Sharyon Miller, Account Executive, ext. 28 sharyon@ballingerpublishing.com Becky Hildebrand, Account Executive, ext. 31 becky@ballingerpublishing.com Simone Sands, Account Executive, ext. 21 simone@ballingerpublishing.com Website: ballingerpublishing.com Editorial Offices 41 North Jefferson St., Ste. 402 Pensacola, FL, 32502 850-433-1166 · Fax 850-435-9174

Published by Ballinger Publishing: Member of:

NW Florida’s Business Climate and Pensacola Magazine is locally owned and operated. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction or use of the contents herein is prohibited without written permission from the publisher.

Comments and opinions expressed in this magazine represent the personal views of the individuals to whom they are attributed and/or the person identified as the author of the article, and they are not necessarily those of the publisher. This magazine accepts no responsibility for these opinions. The publisher reserves the right to edit all manuscripts. All advertising information is the responsibility of the individual advertiser.

Appearance in this magazine does not necessarily reflect endorsement of any products or services by Ballinger Publishing. © 2014

nwflbusinessclimate.com | Business Climate | 7

10 the

MOST IMPORTANT BUSINESS CHANGES in

DOWNTOWN’S

PAST 50 YEARS

by John Appleyard

8 | Business Climate | nwflbusinessclimate.com

Photos: Deborah Dunlap

10 RESTORATIONS

In 1959, Pensacola celebrated its Quadricentennial, generating interest in what Pensacola had been like in times past. Among initial champions of this cause were Clark Thompson and Warren Briggs. Together they transformed an early 20th century warehouse into tasteful offices, meeting areas and a street-front park. Then, a step at a time, often working with other property owners, the pair brought a new look to buildings across Palafox from historic Plaza Ferdinand. What originally had been shops and banking houses became models in restoration. A late 19th century Franco-Spanish Gulf Coast look now appeared.

What Thompson and Briggs began, others followed.

RESTORATION OF THE 1980s

Restoration of the 1980s began a second chapter. In 1980, the Rainwater family acquired much of the Brent Block, classic buildings reconstructed following a 1905 fire. Rainwater’s vision was to bring back the elegance of days gone by, hoping to provide a catalyst for restoration of the Hotel San Carlos. The hotel vision did not materialize as hoped, but the Brent Block’s success provided an example. Other older structures were transformed. Into the 1990s, the hotel was razed, replaced by a handsome federal courthouse. Meanwhile, several historical societies accepted Rainwater and Thompson’s challenge.

The 23-unit Historic Village became a functioning reality. Then came museums which would become attractions for visitors. Among them was the Naval Aviation Museum.

THE DIB

GOVERNMENT BUILDING

In 1964, most of Escambia County’s governmental housing had grown old. Into the 1970s, a Governmental Center Complex Commission shaped plans for the central location of government functions. The plan proceeded slowly, but one-by-one most entities were placed: The Blanchard Judicial Center, the Askew State Office Building, the new City Hall – plus replacement fire and police stations – and conversion of the 1912 Court of Record Building to the Pensacola Cultural Center.

Finally came the square-block county center, incorporating an 1887 structure, a parking garage and quarters for constitutional officers, the county commission and staff.

Shortly thereafter, the 1940 federal courthouse underwent extensive renovations to become the Winston Arnow Courthouse. Only the school board declined to locate in the Governmental Center.

Into the 1970s, merchants and property owners recognized a need for a vehicle to financially support community improvements. Established then was the Downtown Improvement Board, an organization able to generate funds through a property-owner tax. The DIB, working with interested parties, gained grants and city assistance to improve streets, sidewalks, plantings and building exteriors. The work was a step-by-step process, but by 2014 results were easy to see. Among the achievements were new means of parking and revision of Palafox Street traffic to two-way. The community looked better, and it was easier to access.

Gallery Nights and the Palafox Market are now among the DIB’s hallmarks of success.

Photo: Guy Stevens

Photo: Guy Stevens

IHMC

Pensacola became the headquarters for the Institute For Human and Machine Cognition, an assembly of highly skilled men and women employed creating tools for a future economy, military equipment, space travel and robotics. IHMC brought a new generation downtown.

Their wishes, in housing, markets, shopping needs, and entertainment, plus access to the waterfront, charted thinking for others. Many agreed that this new generation, with excellent incomes and a progressive attitude, was what Pensacola’s future required.

What leaders of IHMC saw and communicated was adopted by men and women seeking a new, better Pensacola. nwflbusinessclimate.com | Business Climate | 9

10 BAYFRONT PARKWAY AND WATER ACCESS

THE RESTORATION OF THE SAENGER THEATRE The Palafox Street motion picture palace was constructed in 1924-25 and enjoyed excellent use until the advent of television (in 1954).

Thereafter the theatre’s use diminished. In the mid-1970s, the Saenger’s owner, ABC Theatres, deeded the property to the City of Pensacola.

Five years later, a $1 million restoration campaign provided funding for a reworking of the interior and street-front. The theatre then became the site for many musical and artistic presentations, including the Symphony Orchestra and Children’s Chorus. Twenty years

later, a second successful campaign permitted enlargement of the theatre’s footprint, enabling it to offer greater opportunities from Broadway to barnstorming. Together with the Cultural Center, the Saenger paved the way for quality entertainment far beyond what might be expected in a city Pensacola’s size. Allied with cultural enrichment came a growth of outdoor festivals, Gallery Nights and the opening of places of entertainment where retail shops once operated.

Professional studies had suggested that Pensacola should remake its waterfront, departing from the industrial use that had been part of the long-time economy. First step, in the 1980s, was a placement of a waterfront parkway and walkers’ view which, year by year, improved. Then came placement of the handsome Veterans Park, which recognized the community’s lasting links to military services. A decade later, adjoining property was converted to a naturalist park.

With Pensacola’s rising numbers of military reunions, some linked to the National Museum of Naval Aviation, the waterfront parks became a site with many purposes.

Ivan is the sixth most expensive hurricane since records have been kept, with $18.8 billion in damages.

HURRICANE IVAN

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The storm of September 2004 was beyond the character of the many hurricanes the city had experienced. The unparalleled damage brought to focus many forms of repair and rebuilding, accomplished by insurance payments and funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

A new organization, Rebuild Northwest Florida, assisted property owners, then and into the future. Repairs came naturally in making existing structures more attractive.

Public buildings, marinas, and utilities all gained stature. The rebuilding took many months; however, the entire community was better for the changes. Related to

Ivan rebuilding came the visibility of entrepreneurs whose capital and vision brought the beginning of improvements which had been only dreams earlier.

Many became involved. This partial listing covers only those whose investments were in historic restoration, construction of housing and professional sites, and planning for such changes as relocation of the YMCA and headquarters of the newspapers. This modest list included Ray Russenburger, Collier Merrill, Quint and Rishy Studer, and Deborah Dunlap. Others became involved, and appeared to be encouraged by what they saw.

10 THE MAIN STREET SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT

Photo: Guy Stevens

This facility, built in 1964 and enlarged a decade later, had long been a point of criticism. Its appearance (as part of downtown) and the odors present were objectionable. However, until Hurricane Ivan, finding funding for STP relocation had seemed unlikely.

The storm changed that. Owner of the facility, Emerald Coast Utility Authority, worked with agencies of government, local, state and national, and with FEMA, creating a working package. Engineering proceeded with remarkable speed, and by 2009 the replacement facility, 15 miles north of the city, had become operational. This change improved downtown. It also introduced development potential for the county’s center. At this writing, the property once occupied by the treatment plant still stood vacant, a site with potential for further development.

COMMUNITY MARITIME PARK

The early studies had suggested a need for a waterfront entertainment center. In 2000, the city acquired acreage at the foot of Spring Street that once had housed railroad trackage and warehousing. Plans were drafted for an ambitious theatrical center; however, voters rejected the proposal.

Then followed planning by an appointed commission whose result included a high quality multi-use stadium appropriate for minor league professional baseball, other sports, and a variety of entertainment forms. The park opened for use in 2012 and immediately proved its worth. The full park also would accommodate a tax-paying office structure, and soon would have a children’s playground. Baseball drew capacity audiences to the park, and these became patrons of the expanding number of mid-town restaurants, bars and musical halls.

The Maritime Park project cost $54 million.

Photo: Brian Pierce nwflbusinessclimate.com | Business Climate | 11

INTENSE CLIENT FOCUS

Warren Averett Members Cyndi Warren, CPA and Mort O’Sullivan, CPA

TAKE CARE OF SOMETHING REALLY IMPORTANT To us, intense client focus starts with the notion that we’re in the relationship business. Yes, it’s personal. But it goes beyond the personal trust factor to forward thinking advice. We offer a sounding board for ideas, guidance for business improvement and connections where they count. In the end, we’re a resource to help our clients take care of important things in business and life. www.warrenaverett.com 12 | Business Climate | nwflbusinessclimate.com

Florida l Alabama l Georgia

TEN FUTURE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENTS THE FUTURE OF DOWNTOWN BUSINESS WILL BE SHAPED BY UPCOMING PIVOTAL HAPPENINGS THAT OFFER GREATER EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND OPPORTUNITY THAN EVER.

BY JOSH NEWBY

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10

THE PORT Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward announced on July 10 that a partnership between Offshore Inland and DeepFlex would result in 200 new jobs for the region.

The two companies are constructing a new unbonded flexible pipe manufacturing and qualification testing facility at the Port of Pensacola.

“Over the years of Pensacola’s maritime industry, the Port has always kept up with emerging technologies and changing times,” said Hayward. “Now, we take the next step into the future. These jobs and this facility will diversify the economy. We have stopped talking about the city’s and the Port’s potential and we have started to make it a reality.”

The facility is expected to be fully operational by the second half of 2015 and will be responsible for outputting more than 60 miles of agile and flexible piping that can respond to the needs of the ultra-deep subsea marketplace. $6.6 million in incentives were afforded to the companies, two-thirds from the city and one-third from the state.

In return, according to Sen. Don Gaetz, the facility will provide $55 million in economic impact for the area.

“This isn’t just about more jobs; this is about more good jobs,” said Gaetz. “These jobs will pay more than the average wage in Pensacola and will underpin Northwest Florida as an emerging manufacturing leader.”

Felipe Lamego, DeepFlex’s president and CEO, discussed the relationships and investments that led to this development.

“This is a major mark in company history,” said Lamego. “We will invest in the city, state and country as you have invested in us. What sets Pensacola apart is the close relationships and welcoming arms that you have extended.”

The pipe produced at the facility will leave the Port as cargo either by truck, rail, barge, cargo ship or direct load-out.

“The infrastructure of the Port is excellent for our needs,” said Lamego. “We will continue to engage with the community and businesses.”

PENSACOLA FERRY BOATS They have been a concept for as long as anyone can remember, but it now seems that Downtown Pensacola will be getting a ferry system to taxi users from the south of Pensacola to Fort Pickens and Quietwater Beach. Right now, preparations are underway to launch in May 2017, including forums for public comment, an environmental assessment, National Park Service sign-off and funding.

“This would be a great asset for the regional area,” said Buck Lee, executive director of the Santa Rosa Island Authority.

“It’s something else for the families to do in the area, as well as the people who come here on vacation. It’ll connect some of the area’s most noteworthy attractions.”

The very first feasibility study for the project was completed in 1978, followed by similar studies from different departments

14 | Business Climate | nwflbusinessclimate.com

in 1989, 1995, 2000 and 2009. These studies looked at things like economic sustainability and route placement.

It was determined early on that ticket prices would have to be affordable to get families interested in the alternative to driving the roadways.

Unfortunately, buying ferryboats would likely drive ticket prices too high for long-term rideability.

Thankfully, the cost for the ferries and related infrastructure is split between the Federal Highways Administration and BP restoration funds, with the latter allocated

toward the purchase of two $2 million ferryboats. The City of Pensacola also recently received $1.3 million from the Department of Transportation for the construction of a ferry service dock.

Photo: Mike Cattell

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BAY BRIDGE Constructed in 1960, the current Pensacola Bay Bridge replaced the Thomas A. Johnson Bridge that ran parallel to the east of the existing structure. With a 50-year design life, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) announced in 2010 that the facility would need to be replaced within six years.

In May of 2014, President Obama listed the bridge as one of several projects that would be accelerated under a new transportation infrastructure plan.

This announcement ran parallel to debate on the exact location and width of the bridge. The citizens of Pensacola and Gulf Breeze have made it clear that they want six lanes, as well as 10-foot paths on both sides of the bridge to allow for pedestrians and bikers. There is disagreement, however, over the placement of the bridge, with some wanting it east of the current one and some wanting it west.

Regardless, the construction is slated to cost $650 million and last five years.

No final location for the bridge has been decided, though construction should start sometime in 2017. Various routes for the bridge will impact businesses, traffic and the environment in different ways, though the FDOT has made it clear that they prefer the Central West Alternative because of its minimal impact to residents and businesses.

Ultimately, the FDOT’s findings from their Project Development and Environment study will be presented to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for approval of the Location and Design Concept for the replacement bridge. Subsequent to the receipt of the FHWA’s approval, the FDOT will continue forward with the production of design plans, rightof-way acquisition (if necessary) and finally, construction of the new bridge.

ECUA PROPERTY The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority’s (ECUA) 70-year-old sewage plant on Main Street closed down in March 2011. Since then the property, across from Maritime Park and near City Hall, has remained vacant.

Foundational structures still exist in portions of the underground land, which may be beneficial for new construction on site. However, an underground stream that runs through the property is of concern, as it may have an impact on the stability of the land.

With appraisal estimates currently between $4 and $8 million, the Main Street plant site belongs to the ratepayers of the ECUA, and any revenues from the sale of that property are pledged to repayment of the debt for construction of the new Central Water Reclamation Facility.

“I believe the board is interested in selling the property to the highest bidder,” said Lois Benson, an ECUA board member.

“As a single board member, it is my belief that the site is the key to the future of the City of Pensacola and surrounding areas.

It is my hope that anyone who purchases the property will have a vision for its use that will enhance downtown and help make Pensacola one of the great cities of the Southeast.”

Right now, the future of the property is anyone’s guess, as no plans are currently in place, though there have been a flurry of underwhelming bids in recent years. The land is in a prime location, though, and no doubt whatever does end up there will receive a hefty amount of attention and patronage from downtown as well as West Pensacola.

BAYFRONT Since Pensacola’s incorporation, one of the city’s greatest assets has been the two miles and 100 acres of City-owned southern waterfront, which went largely unused until Plaza de Luna and Maritime Park afforded citizens and visitors easy and beautiful access to the bay. However, these disjointed attractions cannot be easily accessed from one another, and there have been efforts to connect all of bayfront from the three-mile bridge to Bartram Park and beyond to Maritime Park.

“In the next few years, the Mayor and City Council should provide pedestrian crossings across Bayfront Parkway to the existing walkway that extends from the three-mile bridge to Bartram Park and provide an attractive walkway from Plaza de Luna to the east side of Commendencia Slip and Bartram Park,” said C.C. Elebash, a former UWF professor who has spent considerable time researching economic growth opportunities for Pensacola. “They should also think long-term about reducing Bayfront Parkway to two lanes.

Otherwise, Bayfront Parkway/Main Street

will increasingly become a barrier between the people and the waterfront. Connect the Maritime Park to the Palafox Street corridor and the Seville historic district with attractive pedestrian walkways.”

Right now, these ideas seem to be just a pipe dream, though a Complete Streets AdHoc committee was launched in late 2012 to consider the cost and benefits of connectivity for Bayfront. Five City Council members were appointed, and each member nominated an additional member. This committee was tasked with focusing resources and strategy on improving connections between neighborhoods and making transformative investments throughout the city, including the waterfront.

The committee is currently trudging through the bureaucracy of making meaningful change happen, though the city planner has assured its members that great results could be harvested with minimal investment. The committee will continue to meet once a year and make recommendations to City Council. nwflbusinessclimate.com | Business Climate | 15

10

UWF FOOTBALL The Community Maritime Park has been operational for several years now, but the future still holds much potential for the parcels located nearby. Beck Properties is working to develop One51Main, a new three-story mixed-use development on parcel No. 1 at the Maritime Park. The project will include approximately 7,000 square feet of retail space on the first floor, Beck Property Company’s office on the second floor, and four luxury residential

It has been a long time coming, but the University of West Florida will soon play Division-II football at the Community Maritime Park where the Blue Wahoos currently play during baseball season. The agreement between UWF and the Community Maritime Park Associates was reached Aug. 28.

UWF recently hired a head coach and two assistant coaches for the team and is in the process of recruiting student athletes from the panhandle. The team will be formed by fall 2015 and will compete starting in fall 2016.

The football team, the Argos, will play at the stadium for the 2016 and 2017 seasons, with an option to renew the rental contract for an additional year in 2018. The university will pay $5,000 per game for rental of the facility, as well as contribute $1 per ticket to the City. Twenty percent of concession sales during the game are

condominiums on the third.

The $4 million, 27,000 square foot building is a 55-year lease with option to renew for 45 that was granted by the Pensacola City Council in June 2013 and approved by the Community Maritime Park Associates board in October of that year.

Justin Beck, the property developer, estimates the building will be completed in spring of 2015. Already, three of the four

ONE51MAIN

16 | Business Climate | nwflbusinessclimate.com

also due to the city. The Blue Wahoos staff will aid in stadium operations, management and staffing. The games will be played with end zones at home plate and left field, with existing seating and possibly added seating depending on popularity.

“We expect this to be huge for downtown,” said Dave Scott, UWF’s athletic director. “The average Division-II football game averages about 3,500 spectators. We expect we could easily achieve an audience of 5,000.”

The UWF athletic staff is expecting the costs associated with football to be covered by season ticket sales and corporate sponsorships.

Scott expects that downtown football played at the Maritime will boost not only the area’s vibrancy during the non-peak months of the year, but also tourism and visitorship.

condos on the third floor have been sold and Beck has received letters of intent for three of the six units on the first floor.

“We’re always looking for opportunities downtown,” said Beck. “We want to bring mixed-use development to downtown.

That type of growth is essential to any active and vibrant area. One51Main is another piece to the puzzle for our growing downtown.”

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FOO FOO FEST

THE OLD PNJ SITE Long a cosmetic and environmental blight in the heart of downtown, the old Pensacola News Journal building, located at 101 E. Romana St., may very well be the site of one of the greatest cultural and residential resurgences in Pensacola’s history. In late 2013, businessman Quint Studer bought the property for $3.4 million with the hopes of creating a mixed-use space downtown that would bridge the gap between the commercial core on Palafox and the residential core in Seville and Aragon.

Those plans seem to be coming together.

One of the sectors of land was donated to the YMCA, and they are planning to open a brand-new, $15 million facility there by January 2016. The rest of the property will be retail and residential space. The first floor will be retail, which, according to Studer development partner Andrew

THE TECH PARK

Rothfeder, will be more attractive and appealing to pedestrians and shoppers in the area. The second through fifth floors will feature affordable, market-rate housing for downtown’s workforce.

“Pensacola has a lot of the necessary themes for a great downtown,” said Rothfeder. “We have safe and secure shopping and dining sites. The obvious deficiency is the lack of high-density housing.

This property solves that problem and a host of others.”

Right now, Studer’s Daily Convo, LLC, is working with architects and property developers to create plans for the site to present to lenders for approximately $50 million in funding.

Rothfeder guesses that the all-new building will be move-in ready for 500 people by fall 2016.

Pensacola’s nine-acre Tech Park has had a troubled past. The land was donated by the City of Pensacola and Escambia County in 2010, with $2 million worth of infrastructure added in 2011 thanks to a grant from the Economic Development Administration. Though officially able to house tenants since September 2011, the land has remained vacant, due mainly to firm restrictions and lease fees. Earlier this year, the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce worked with the City and Escambia County to loosen restrictions that had scared away previous investors. Now, thanks to the Chamber’s recent partnership with Space Florida, the Tech Park’s troubled past may finally be behind it.

Space Florida’s board of directors convened Oct. 11 to select a firm responsible for building a 70,000 square foot complex on the site. According to

Other cities have it--a banner under which cultural, sports and community events happen so that visitors can enjoy the best of an area in one concentrated span of time--and now Pensacola is joining the ranks of cities like Asheville and Savannah.

Foo Foo Fest begins its first year in 2014 with more than 20 events. The fest is facilitated by Arts, Culture and Entertainment (ACE), Inc. “Insiders have long recognized Pensacola as a mecca for arts and culture,” said Lois Benson, ACE board member. “We are now ready to share our secret. By launching and marketing Foo Foo Fest, cultural tourists from across the Southeast will come to stay here in the fall, get a taste of our diverse cultural offerings and come back again and again.”

Foo Foo Fest events include contributions from such organizations as the Pensacola Little Theatre, Pensacola Museum of Art, Pensacon, Artel Gallery, Ballet Pensacola and more. By offering a one-stop-shop 12 days of multiple events, organizers are hoping that this will draw visitors during an otherwise down time for the area, boosting the economy, extending the tourist season and improving the city’s and downtown’s image to outsiders who will surely want to return.

Scott Luth, vice president of economic development for the Chamber, an anchor tenant is already interested in the space.

“Space Florida is using their resources and capital to construct this building, which one tenant is definitely already interested in,” said Luth. “Assuming Space Florida can complete a building that meets their tenants’ needs, construction should begin quite soon.”

Nothing will be set in stone until early 2015, but Luth is optimistic that this development signals a huge step forward for the Tech Park.

“Assuming all goes as planned, this will be a great catalyst project for that side of the community,” said Luth. “It’s another addition to downtown’s growing technology industry, and this cornerstone project will be a really nice asset to the area as a whole.” nwflbusinessclimate.com | Business Climate | 17

10

TEN WAYS ~to~ GET EDUCATED

DOWNTOWN

by EMILY LULLO photos by GUY STEVENS

18 | Business Climate | nwflbusinessclimate.com

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UWF HISTORIC VILLAGE The Historic Pensacola Village in Downtown Pensacola is comprised of 27 properties in the Pensacola National Register Historic District, 11 of which are interpreted facilities that are open to the public to tour and explore. The Village offers guided or self-guided tours of the various house museums as well as a living history program with costumed re-enactors that demonstrate skills and activities from Pensacola’s past.

This program is part of the all-important preservation aspect of its managing organization, the UWF Historic Trust, which sees 15,000 schoolchildren and 50,000 visitors to the museums and Village annually. Tours of the interpreted houses cover almost 450 years of history, and the entire village is located on the site of an 18th century Spanish fort. Guests can see a historical imagining of what life was like for residents in the 1805 Lavalle House, the

oldest surviving example of a high-house in the 1825 Barkley House, or Old Christ Church, one of the oldest church buildings in the state.

Special events abound throughout the year in the Historic Village, from the Open House every June to Haunted Historic Tours in the summer and early fall, to specific seasonal programming like a showcase focused on Victorian Holiday Traditions at the end of 2014.

DOWNTOWN LIBRARY The aging 1957 facility that houses the main branch of the West Florida Public Library got an extensive $7.7 million renovation and expansion that was partially funded by $6 million in local option sales tax along with a $606,500 grant from the US Department of Energy. After reopening in 2013, the library now boasts 50,000 square feet of space—nearly double its original size—with an inviting two-story atrium and state-of-art equipment and facilities.

The new library became the first building in the City of Pensacola to be LEED-certified for its energy efficient features like tankless water heater and low-flow plumbing fixtures that reduced energy costs. Among other features the main branch can now offer to patrons are an expanded children’s area, meeting rooms and a bookstore. The library also includes more than 50 new computers, including a 10-station computer training lab, as well as a new jazz listening room, making it a well-rounded educational resource for the community in the heart of downtown.

The WFPL hosts many ongoing children’s activities and is one of 77 nonprofit organizations around the country to receive a grant to take part in an initiative called The Big Read with a slew of events and discussions focusing on Tim O’Brien’s novel, The Things They Carried. The main branch also hosts a monthly book discussion group for adults.

nwflbusinessclimate.com | Business Climate | 19

10 INNOVATION INSTITUTE

MESS HALL The unique interactive science museum known as the MESS Hall was initially housed in a temporary space downtown before opening its doors at its current home where it’s been for a year a half. MESS stands for Math, Engineering, Science and Stuff, and with about 15 permanent exhibits and a rotating menu of MESS kits—openended projects that can be checked out by guests in the establishment—there’s no way to experience all the offerings in a single day, and attendees could spend hours on just one project or installation.

“There’s a longer engagement with these activities and we have the MESS kits,” says founder Megan Pratt. “We’ve got about 16 on the daily menu and we probably have 80 or 90 different MESS kits we cycle through on a regular basis so there’s always lots of new activities.”

Pratt says the MESS Hall has roughly 250 members and about 15,000 people come through the door every year.

About 5,000 of that coming from field trips, which come during weekday mornings

20 | Business Climate | nwflbusinessclimate.com

during the school year, and the majority of their field trip slots fill up—about 70-80 percent.

During the summer the MESS Hall hosts weeklong camps, each with a theme, and there are also classes and special events throughout the year.

“A couple other things that we’re trying are Science Friday Night, which we’re doing in conjunction with Gallery Night so it’s a dropoff program kids come to and get to explore while their parents go have dinner or go to Gallery Night,” Pratt says.

“Then on the other end, we have special programs for middle schoolers like a game night so the older kids can have something a little bit different.”

The educational fun isn’t just for school-aged children though. Pratt says parents regularly tell her they learned a lot getting wrapped up in exhibits and MESS kits as well, and there’s no age requirement for enjoying the facility. Look out in the future for more adult-centric events and special programs.

The Innovation Institute is a collaborative initiative between Florida Legislature and universities and colleges across the state to tackle big ideas with innovative and strategic thinking. The Institute’s mandate is to work together with community and state allies on various projects to solve pressing educational problems. The Institute collaborates with end-users on initiatives every step of the way, and is headquarters for programs like Complete Florida, a program designed to recruit, recover and retain adults who didn’t compete college for whatever reason, and help them finish an associates or bachelor’s degree.

“This city has business incubators and has benefitted greatly from those, but we’re more of an education incubator,” said Pam Northrup, executive director of the institute. “There are pockets of excellence located all over the UWF campus and the Pensacola community, and the Innovation Institute’s purpose is to bring them all together under one roof in a coordinated effort to work on challenges.”

In addition to its more strategic efforts, the Institute houses CoderDojo, an open source, volunteer led movement focused on hosting free non-profit coding clubs for young people ages 7-17. Prospective coders register for a set of classes that meet every other Thursday evening for two hours to learn how to code, develop websites, apps, programs, games and share programming projects. The next set of classes starts in January of 2015.

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SO GOURMET TEACHING KITCHEN Housed atop the Bodacious Olive and Bodacious Brew is So Gourmet, a retailer of gadgets, accessories and everything the gourmet chef or party host could want in his or her kitchen. Additionally, the shop offers a spacious teaching kitchen where anyone can register for a variety of cooking classes.

Classes range from quick lunchtime courses or more leisurely date night affairs. The fall lineup includes Monday baking classes,

IHMC The Institute for Human Machine Cognition is known as a bastion of technological research with headquarters in Downtown Pensacola. The not-forprofit research center employs scientists and engineers whose work focuses on understanding cognition in humans and machines through projects in fields such as robots, language cognition in computers, artificial intelligence and more.

More than a hub of tech innovation, IHMC has several outreach programs that connect it to and educate the surrounding community.

One of these is Science Saturdays, held one Saturday a month during the school year and open to children in grades 3 through 5. Each session is open to 60 students and

as well as bi-monthly classes featuring gourmet cuisine with Sue Shattuck and healthy cooking demonstrations with Betsy LeGallais. Friday afternoon is reserved for Hilary Shaffer, the Wine Shop’s wine director, who is hosting a series about how to taste wines. Prices for classes range from $15 to $45 per class, and the space is also available for private events for up to 100 people.

covers a different topic. The fall lineup includes Chemistry, Balloon Cars and Big Data. Researchers and other experts give presentations and high school aged volunteers also help out the younger students, offering an engaging and fun learning experience for participants.

For adults, IHMC offers a monthly Evening Lecture Series that engages the community on meaningful topics in subject areas including science and technology, civic leadership and urban planning. Recently a lecture on Watershed Planning was hosted in the months following the April flooding to address a pressing public need in northwest Florida.

Upcoming talks include Cancer Control in the 21st Century and the Science of Investing.

Lectures are all recorded and uploaded to YouTube for viewing for those who cannot attend the popular lecture series. nwflbusinessclimate.com | Business Climate | 21

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T.T. WENTWORTH MUSEUM The T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum is the flagship museum of the University of West Florida Historic Trust, the nonprofit support organization that manages this and other historic entities in northwest Florida. Housed in an impressive Spanish Revival style building that served as Pensacola’s City Hall in the early 1900s, the museum is named after the local historian and collector and boasts three floors of permanent and temporary or traveling exhibits.

22 | Business Climate | nwflbusinessclimate.com

In 2013 the museum underwent four months of renovations, which were funded through a $500,000 BP Gulf Tourism and Seafood Promotion grant. When the Wentworth reopened, it showcased its new first floor exhibit, which still has its trademark “City of Five Flags” theme, but now offers a broader overview of daily life in Pensacola throughout its history.

The museum also updated other aspects of the structure during the renovations, including using LED

lighting and exposing more of the original tile in the building.

The second floor now houses some artifacts from Wentworth’s collection, including his notorious petrified cat, as well as an exhibit on the history of Pensacola’s Mardi Gras and Fiesta celebrations. The third floor is a space for traveling exhibits, many of which also include coordinated lectures and events elsewhere in the Historic District.

10 EMERALD COAST TOURS Emerald Coast Tours was opened

by Nic Schuck in March 2012, offering bicycle historic tours and bike rentals to visitors and locals alike. The company later expanded to Segway tours as well and now offers historic bicycle and Segway tours twice daily along with bike rentals.

Schuck’s career as an educator and desire to make Downtown Pensacola an even more attractive destination for visitors spurred the decision to open ECT. “Being born and raised in Pensacola, I was always fascinated by the history we have, yet when I began teaching, I was surprised by how Pensacola was always skipped over during really important periods of our past,” he says. “For instance, when discussing the American Revolution, there is rarely a mention in text books of Bernardo de Galvez or the Siege of Pensacola.”

Schuck says during high tourist

season, about 70 percent of tour attendees are visitors to the area, which is no surprise given the company’s number one TripAdvisor ranking as a Pensacola attraction. The two hour Historical Downtown Segway Tour is their most popular offering, though a newer tour focused on some of the darker stories in the city’s history is gaining popularity. The Ghosts, Murders and Mayhem Segway Tour is offered nightly at 7:30 pm year round.

Charismatic guides offering history lessons in a unique and fun setting give locals and tourists alike a new side of Pensacola to appreciate.

“I wanted to bring Pensacola’s story to our visitors so they didn’t just come here for vacation and see our great beaches but not know our history,” he says. “Our history is what makes us unique on the Emerald Coast.”

FLORIDA PUBLIC ARCHEOLOGY NETWORK The Florida Public Archaeology Network is a statewide organization spearheaded nearly ten years ago by Dr. Judy Bense to promote education and outreach for the many archaeology sites and projects throughout Florida. FPAN associate director Dr. Della Scott-Ireton studied under Bense at UWF’s archaeology program and says the public component was a cornerstone of the program, with plenty of opportunities for people to get involved through education or even volunteering at sites or in labs.

“Dr. Bense has always been a very outspoken proponent of public archaeology and the idea that these resources belong to everyone and that everyone has a right to know about their past,” says Scott-Ireton.

The organization has eight regional offices with the headquarters in Downtown Pensacola along with the Destination Archaeology Resource Center, which is essentially an onsite museum exhibit It includes a permanent exhibit called “A Road Trip Through Florida.”

EVER’MAN EDUCATIONAL CENTER With the renovations and expansions of the Ever’man Cooperative Grocery & Cafe came the unveiling of the Ever’man Educational Center. With classes and activities ranging from yoga to cooking to movie nights, the offerings are varied and anyone in the community is invited to sign up. Many classes and events other than cooking classes are free and most are only $5 for Ever’man members or $7 for nonmembers. Before the expansion and renovation, classes were held in a Community Room that was in the same building as the store, but the new Educational Center allows for even more possibilities and uses.

“As stated in our Ends Statement, Ever’man believes it should provide our

“It not only explains to the public what archaeology is, but it also shows people sites that they can visit here in northwest Florida and also statewide, here in Pensacola all the way down to the Florida Keys,” says DARC manager Michael Thomin.

There’s also a temporary exhibit that changes every three to four months. DARC does further outreach by organizing with local businesses like restaurants that host the Archaeology Café series, and a recent partnership with Pensacola Paddlesports that allows people to go on an archaeologyfocused kayak and snorkeling daytrip to sites on Deadman’s Island. There are also an extended array of events during March for Archaeology Month, including a scavenger hunt race called “Dash Through the Past.” Outreach efforts garnered participation from 7,951 people in fiscal year 2013/2014. Also during that time 282 people volunteered 1,058 hours to the FPAN northwest region. community with education about health, nutrition, and environmental issues,” says general manager William Rolfs. “We have done this in a basic way for many years, but this center gives us a better venue to provide that service to our community. We can not only teach about wholesome foods; we can teach how to cook it as well.”

The Center includes a teaching kitchen with audio and visual equipment, modern appliances and a 70 inch TV to project movies, presentations, and even the actual chef’s view of what’s cooking during instructional demonstrations. While Rolfs says wholesome and nutritious food is certainly one of the most dominate topics of classes at the Ever’man Educational Center, there are many other classes that can educate, enlighten and enliven on topics like health, wellness and aging. nwflbusinessclimate.com | Business Climate | 23

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Ten Spaces To Live and Work Downtown

by Kelly Oden

nwflbusinessclimate.com | Business Climate | 25

47 Jefferson LIVE Originally built in 1900, this rare downtown gem has withstood the test of time and has been updated throughout the last century to keep up with modern technology, finishes, and lifestyles. This luxury condo boasts the original exposed brick walls and original tongue and groove flooring and ceilings. Between the two car garage and the front door is a beautifully landscaped and irrigated courtyard, while the upstairs balcony overlooks Palafox Place.

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Photos: Guy Stevens

Price: $1,599,000 | Square feet: 5,000 | Beds: 3 | Baths: 4.5 | Year: 1900 | Contact: Robert Bell/850.434.2244/John S. Carr & Company

LIVE & WORK

Photo: Guy Stevens

SPACES

59 Gregory WORK Historic

commercial building with unique architectural details like exposed brick, high ceilings and great natural light.

Lease Price: $3,600 Square feet: 3,040 Contact: Thomas Bell/850.430.1514/ NAI Halford Commercial Real Estate Services

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10

416 Baylen

LIVE & WORK Live and work in this

large Craftsman style cottage. With eight off street parking places, this could be a perfect office for two or

three professionals and staff. Executive conference rooms and private suites are easy to arrange.

Price: $339,000 | Square feet: 2,032 | Beds: 3 | Baths: 2 | Year: 1925 | Contact: Kathleen Tanner/850.435.9007/ Kathy Tanner Realty

LIVE & WORK SPACES

105 Baylen LIVE This urban loft offers the best of both worlds—modern luxury in an historic 1920s warehouse. Located a few blocks from the bay and all the downtown hotspots.

Price: $695,000 Square feet: 2,100 Beds: 2 Baths: 2.5 Year: 1920 Contact: David Owens/850.932.0067/ RE/MAX on the Coast nwflbusinessclimate.com | Business Climate | 27

10

23 Port Royal Unit 23

LIVE &

LIVE This spacious townhouse has balconies that overlook Pensacola Bay, the Maritime Park and the downtown skyline.

Enjoy the security of a gated community along with all of the arts and culture that comes with downtown living.

Price: $290,000 Square feet: 1,654 Beds: 3 Baths: 2 Year: 1986 Contact: Nancy Grogan/ 850.932.6278/RE/MAX on the Coast

WORK WORK Class A third floor space in three-story

SPACES

815 Palafox

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building in Downtown Pensacola overlooking Palafox Pier Marina, and Pensacola Bay. The space features a large reception area and lobby, a large conference room, an open area for cubicles, a break room, a copy room, and surrounding executive offices with water views.

Lease Price: $14,000 Square feet: 7,000 Year: 1999 Contact: Rodney Sutton/850.429.8640/ Sperry Van Ness - SouthLand Commercial Real Estate

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Suite 202

WORK Class A unit in multi-

890 Palafox

use development in the heart of Downtown Pensacola overlooking Plaza de Luna Park, Palafox Pier Marina, and Pensacola Bay. This second floor suite provides sweeping views of the waterfront via its wraparound balcony and abundant windows.

Sale Price: $1,260,000 Square feet: 5,037 Year: 2003 Contact: Rodney Sutton/ 850.429.8640/Sperry Van Ness - SouthLand Commercial Real Estate

LIVE & WORK SPACES

41 Jefferson WORK Third floor suite in historic

multi-tenant office building. Suite includes six private offices, a large open center area and a break area.

Located in the Rhodes Building in the heart of the downtown business district and anchored by Gulf Coast Community Bank.

Lease Price: $4,375 Square feet: 2,500 Year: 1940 Contact: Dee Dee Davis/ 850.430.1503/NAI Halford Commercial Real Estate Services

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10

706 La Rua

LIVE &

LIVE Spacious Victorian home in Old East Hill preservation district. Built in 1888 of heart pine, it boasts 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, high ceilings, updated electric and plumbing, tank-less hot water heater.

Easy walk to restaurants and events downtown.

WORK SPACES

713 Spring LIVE The Mattie Mae McMillan House in the North Hill Historic district is named after a prominent local educator. This Queen Ann style home has a lot of historic charm-original cedar shakes, a gorgeous enclosed porch with tiled floor, and original tin ceiling. The updated kitchen boasts granite countertops and granite sink with custom cabinets. Home could potentially be used as a commercial space.

Price: $240,000 Square feet: 3,044 Beds: 4 Baths: 2 Year: 1900 Contact: Nancy Matthews/ 850.432.5300/Coldwell Banker United

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Price: $324,900 Square feet: 3,400 Beds: 4 Baths: 4 Year: 1888 Contact: Walter Pierce/ 850.434.9444 / Levin and Rinke Resort Realty

nwflbusinessclimate.com | Business Climate | 31

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nwflbusinessclimate.com | Business Climate | 33

TEN SPORTING

BY CHRISTIAN PACHECO

ACTIVITIES

THAT ARE A WIN FOR DOWNTOWN PENSACOLA MARATHON

The Pensacola Marathon,

runners will be

taking place Nov. 9 is the

Army Rangers

only full-length marathon

representing

officially contested in the

Operation

city. However, the event will

Wounded

feature a half marathon and a

Warrior Support,

kids marathon as well.

taking on the 26.2

According to Jason

miles in combat

Libbert, event manager for

boots and 50-pound

the PSA, about 3,000 people

field packs, said

will participate in this year’s

Libbert.

marathon. Some of the 34 | Business Climate | nwflbusinessclimate.com

Photo: Peter Mooney

10

DOUBLE BRIDGE RUN

THUNDER ON THE GULF

Featuring a 5K walk/run and the titular 15K race going over the Three Mile Bridge and Bob Sykes Bridge, next year’s Double Bridge Run could very well break the last event’s attendance of around 4,500.

“We are the 12th largest 15K in the country,” said Libbert, adding that while the number of Double Bridge Run participants

Pensacola hosts the ThunderRun Super Boat Grand Prix, which is a part of Thunder on the Gulf, a series of powerboat races in Florida and Alabama. The races are the main feature of a larger festival-style gathering that includes concerts, a charity golf tournament and more.

“We advertise to bring race fans in, and the racers themselves are really popular with their race fans,” said Kathy Melson, event coordinator for Thunder on the Gulf. Melson compared the fans’ interest in the races and the popularity of the competitors to other types of motor racing like NASCAR. Thunder on the Gulf has proven to be a critical success as far as

may not seem impressive at a first glance, it stands out as a small city compared with similar events in major metropolitan cities. He also mentioned that the Double Bridge Run is a destination-type event, with about 35 percent of the runners coming from out of town.

The next Pensacola Double Bridge Run will be Feb. 7, 2015.

the Pensacola economic scene is concerned. Last year, thanks to the promotion of a Marshall Tucker Band concert, over 1,100 people attended the performance, and the event sold tickets in 11 states.

In addition, many of the racing teams and several members of Super Boats International, one of the largest governing bodies for motorboat racing, stayed at the Crowne Plaza Pensacola Grand hotel during the event, SBI members renting about 30 rooms, according to Melson. She also said that the guests had nothing but good things to say about Pensacola, from the time they checked in to the awards ceremony at Apple Annie’s at Seville Quarter. nwflbusinessclimate.com | Business Climate | 35

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Photo courtesy: Blue Wahoos

PENSACOLA BLUE WAHOOS

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“The Blue Wahoos had fantastic attendance for the third straight year, even topping last year’s total attendance,” said Joey Truncale, broadcaster trainee for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.

“In 2014, the Wahoos’ total attendance was 311,687, which bested last year’s attendance by over 4,000 fans. That mark was good for second-best in the Southern League.

The Blue Wahoos’ average attendance of 4,453 was the third best in the league.”

The team also donated more than $100,000 this season to the greater Pensacola area through various fundraisers, community partnerships, grants, events and donations, said Truncale.

The Blue Wahoos begin their new season on April 9, 2015.

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YMCA

PENSACOLA ICE FLYERS The Pensacola Ice Flyers, who begin their new season Oct. 25, set several records last year. Not only did they repeat as Southern Professional Hockey League champions; they held the attendance record as well, hosting 114,537 fans all year and averaging 4,090 fans per game over 28 games, according to the official statistics webpage.

Greg Harris, the team’s majority owner, said that the fan experience and satisfaction are vital to the success of the team.

In a 2014 survey of fan satisfaction, the Blue Wahoos ranked first out of the 42 participating teams in all survey categories.

“I hope they feel they’re very satisfied. That’s our goal. They’re the foundation of this organization,” said Harris.

Since the Ice Flyers organization partners with many downtown businesses, the economic scene seems sure to benefit from the faithful hockey fans.

“No matter what happens, there is an automatic spillover to the restaurants and businesses in the downtown core,” said Harris.

“Our mission is to support professional and amateur sports activities in Escambia County and the surrounding area in order to further economic impact and economic development, as well as fitness and sports programs,” said Ray Palmer, executive director of the Pensacola Sports Association.

The PSA sponsors and hosts many athletic events in Pensacola, including charity tennis tournaments and the Gulf South Conference soccer championships. The organization will also be a part of this year’s Pensacola Foo Foo Festival, which takes place Nov. 6-16. They recently received a grant from ACE to provide live musical entertainment for the upcoming Pensacola Marathon.

“Our total community impact totaled $583,250 last year in the twocounty area,” said Andrea Rosenbaum, director of advancement for the YMCA of Northwest Florida. “That’s a huge mission impact, but it also contributes to the local economy. That represents the value of services we give away in areas such as wellness programs, after-school childcare, recreational sports, swim lessons and senior fitness.”

According to Mark Baker, executive director of the downtown branch, the Downtown Pensacola YMCA has more than 3,000 members, with at least 500 to 600 of them enjoying classes in activities like yoga, Zumba, water aerobics and, coming soon, TRX suspension training and Barre Method.

PENSACOLA SPORTS ASSC. nwflbusinessclimate.com | Business Climate | 37

ALPHA OMEGA SPORTS PERFORMANCE

“If you look at just true green dollars, we’ve created seven new part-time jobs for the area,” said Joseph McCrory, owner of Alpha Omega Sports Performance, a fitness center that specializes in personal training, yoga and CrossFit. McCrory said that even though they’ve only created a few new small positions, every little bit helps because the employees will put their disposable income back into the local businesses. Alpha Omega Sports Performance is also heavily involved with local athletic organizations, sponsoring the Pensacola Rowing Club, West Florida Wheelmen, giving discounts to all area high school athletes and partnering with Baptist Health Care.

“Pensacola has done [well] for us, and we hope that we’re doing a good job for Pensacola,” said McCrory.

Coming up, Alpha Omega Sports Performance will be hosting their Clash Against Cancer event on Oct. 18. Admission is $10 with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.

EXERCISE DESTINATIONS ANYTIME FITNESS

For the past three years, Anytime Fitness, which has fitness centers in Gulf Breeze, Pace and Downtown Pensacola, has been very successful when it comes to community endeavors, raising over $23,000 for Relay for Life. The business is also involved with Christmas charities like Gulf Coast Kids House and Toys for Tots.

“Pick a charity that’s going to mean something and that you are passionate about, and be number one at it,” said owner Chris Herr, echoing the company’s sentiment toward community service.

The gym is also a great place for networking and stimulating business, said Herr. Anytime Fitness promotes local races, helps impact restaurant business by encouraging healthy eating and fits clients for gear from Running Wild.

SUBWAY PENSACOLA CYCLING CLASSIC

The Subway Pensacola Cycling Classic is a three-stage racing event that includes a time trial across Pensacola Beach, a road race in Milton, and the Criterium (closed-circuit) race in Downtown Pensacola. This year, 240 racers participated in the competition with friends, family and managers looking on.

“It’s a sight to see,” said David Mayo, founder and race director, also calling Pensacola a great destination for a “worldclass” race. “And for Pensacola to come show their support for this professional bike race in our city would make a great statement of how much we enjoy and appreciate sports tourism.”

The race, which Mayo said is the largest stage race in the Southeast, is staffed by volunteers and is a nonprofit event. Surplus funds go to the Paralyzed Veterans of America, and some of their members even take part in the races with hand cycles.

The race features a $14,500 total prize purse.

The Pensacola Big Game Fishing Club hosts three fishing competitions every summer: the Junior Angler Tournament, Ladies Billfish Tournament and International Billfish Tournament.

Bryan Moore, the club president, said that many summer tourists coming into town call him, wanting to know when they can see the big catches getting weighed.

The competitions, especially the international tournament, have drawn in anglers from all over Northwest Florida and states like Alabama and Louisiana for decades.

“In the years past, back in the 80s, we would have 100 boats, which is minimum four anglers per boat,” said Moore.

In addition to hosting fishing tournaments, the Pensacola Big Game Fishing Club is committed to encouraging big game fishing as a whole in Northwest Florida and assisting with local conservational efforts when it comes to big game fishes, according to the official webpage.

PENSACOLA BIG GAME FISHING CLUB

38 | Business Climate | nwflbusinessclimate.com Photo: David Keep

nwflbusinessclimate.com | Business Climate | 39

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ARTS & CULTURE impacts downtown

by Sarah Walter

40 | Business Climate | nwflbusinessclimate.com

10

GALLERY NIGHT One Friday every month is dedicated to presenting the best art, music, and food Downtown Pensacola has to offer. Gallery Night is a free event that fosters an excitement for the arts and generates publicity for many artists and businesses.

With over 40 participating businesses, Gallery Night is an invaluable event for the downtown area.

GREAT GULFCOAST ARTS FEST

Rated in the Top 20 Events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society and 29th in the nation by Sunshine Artist magazine, the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival is a three-day spectacle of art, dance, music and more. Each year, 150,000 people flood Seville Square to enjoy the best art of over 200 painters, sculptors, potters, jewelers, craftsmen, graphic artists and more.

Being a juried art show, the admitted artists compete for an impressive total of $25,000 in prize money. In addition to the art show, the festival hosts a variety of live musicians, and dancers whose styles range from folk to ballet. A favorite of the festival goers is the Heritage Arts area. In this area, guests are treated to displays of craftsmen arts such as weaving, blacksmithing, engraving, and much more.

Not to let the adults have too much fun, there is a neighboring Children’s Art Festival in Bartram Park which provides loads of free, hands-on activities for kids to get involved with and let their creativity shine.

Local Pensacola artistic venues and companies showcase, perform, and collaborate during this festival, with the First City Art Center, the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, and Ballet Pensacola just to name a few. It is this joining of the community and welcoming of artists from across the country that makes this festival rise up to the name Great.

nwflbusinessclimate.com | Business Climate | 41

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PENSACOLA MUSEUM OF ART

Celebrating 60 years of operation, the Pensacola Museum of Art (PMA) serves 100,000 patrons annually. Offering a wide variety of gallery shows and events, there is something for everybody throughout the year.

“Approximately 20,000 came through our doors from May 10 through Aug. 10,” says PMA director Jodi Gup regarding the Museum’s recent show: The Art of the Brick.

General admission for the Museum is only $7, but with such high attendance numbers, the bottom line speaks for itself at roughly $140,000 for one exhibition. High attendance to these events fosters an excitement in the community and helps keep the cost of admittance so low.

Attendance numbers are anticipated to keep growing from previous years as the Museum works to continuously bring exhibits that attract a wide variety of people.

“The PMA will continue to witness an increase in attendees as it focuses on bringing in two exhibitions per year that have wide appeal among local residents as well as tourists,” says Gup. In addition to exhibitions with widespread appeal, the PMA provides the community with a variety of art classes, inspiring both the current and future generations to get involved with the artistic community and continue spreading the excitement.

Music is a universal language that is spoken fluently by the staff and musicians that comprise the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra. Wanting to educate the public in this language, the Orchestra has made it their mission to serve the community through music education programs and by performing all over the downtown area. Each concert that the Orchestra puts on is an event not just in the fact of its happening, but in all of the community socializing that happens before and after the music fills the stage.

“Music is what defines us, and we look to engage people around every concert,” says Bret Barrow, executive director of the Orchestra. “We hold receptions and other events that coincide with many—if not all—of our performances.”

These reception events allow for the public to form a bond with the members of the Orchestra, creating a familiar atmosphere that fosters communication and

sharing instead of a simple go-and-listen trip. Roughly 1,500 people chose to become a part of or continue their support of the music community last season. High attendance coupled with the cohesive community created by love of music is evident in the monetary support the Orchestra sees. Of the Orchestra’s $1.4 million operating budget, 50 percent of it comes from contributed support.

“We’re very fortunate to have patrons that give above and beyond their ticket purchase to support the orchestra,” says Barrow.

“We’re also blessed to have support from corporate partners, grant funding, and special events.”

Whether performing on stage, at the Symphony Gala, at local schools, or at weddings, the Symphony Orchestra is dedicated to music and their community.

42 | Business Climate | nwflbusinessclimate.com

PENSACOLA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

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ART GALLERIES

BALLET PENSACOLA

SAENGER THEATRE

PENSACOLA OPERA

Pensacola has no shortage of art galleries. The variety of art available within these galleries is incredible, as is the commitment to service that the artists and galleries provide to the community. A premier commercial gallery specializing in modern, hand-selected art is the Mainline Art House.

“Mainline marks the return of commercial galleries to Downtown Pensacola,” says Mikel Traffanstead, one of the owners of Mainline.

All of the art featured in the Mainline Gallery is displayed for a limited time after being approved. The gallery hopes to bring artistic talent from around the world into the gallery and begin partnering with local artists to begin hosting classes on a variety of subjects.

On the other side of the spectrum is Blue Morning Gallery, a co-op, member-run gallery made by artists, for artists. All of the art featured in the gallery was made by the members of the Blue Morning staff, all local Pensacola artists. Over 50 local artists’ work call the gallery home and artists show their support not only in the art they craft to line the walls of the gallery, but by the time and money they put into the day-to-day operation of Blue Morning.

“We have very little turnover, which tells me that most of the artists in the gallery are most happy with the way things are going in the gallery for them,” says Jim Sweida, a long-time artist with Blue Morning.

Being all locals, the artists of Blue Morning are savvy in finding ways to get people downtown and enjoying the art and city while supporting their fellow Pensacola locals.

“We as a gallery believe firmly in an active and vibrant downtown district,” says Sweida. “So we’ve made a point to have extended hours. We’ve had them for some time.”

Allowing for a night on the town to not end just at dinner, Blue Morning Gallery is providing an outlet for the artistically curious who roam at night and keeping the buzz of activity alive into the late evening.

Another co-op gallery is Quayside, one of the largest and oldest member-owned galleries in the US. Quayside features the work of almost 50 local artists.

Sharing the Pensacola Cultural Center with the Pensacola Little Theatre and many other artistic venues, Ballet Pensacola is in a prime location to keep the artistic spirit in Pensacola alive. Traveling to different spaces in the downtown area to perform and bringing back dance enthusiasts to come to class, Ballet Pensacola shows its commitment to spreading the love of dance throughout the community.

“During the past two years, Ballet Pensacola has held performances in five different spaces downtown, including the Saenger Theatre and the Pensacola Cultural Center,” says the Ballet’s Director of Development and Marketing Courtney Dell.

The Grand Dame of Palafox, the Saenger Theatre— whichever name it is called, it remains a landmark to the downtown area. Having been closed in 1975, the Saenger slept for six years until it was refurbished and reopened in 1981 by a joint effort by the City of Pensacola and the University of West Florida.

The refurbishing cost $1.6 million but the impact is priceless. Many local artistic companies make use of the Saenger’s stage, from the Pensacola Symphony

Orchestra to Ballet Pensacola.

In addition to providing a venue for many other artistic endeavors, the Saenger brings in some of the country’s most famous comedians and actors to perform for eager audiences. Other special events hosted by the Saenger are film series such as the Classic Movie Series and the upcoming Broadway in Pensacola series.

Being Northwest Florida’s only professional opera company, the Pensacola Opera is a unique treat for enthusiasts and novices alike. Offering a typical season of two productions in a year, the Opera took a risk which saw some drawbacks but also great successes.

In their 30th season, the Pensacola Opera offered three shows as opposed to the usual two.

“That year, Pensacola Opera took a leap of faith by expanding its mainstage production schedule by one show, offering three mainstage productions in October, January and March, while our traditional season of opera has been two productions,” says Erin Sammis, marketing director for the Opera.

The Opera saw overall lowered attendance, at 53 percent house capacity, but the first production brought in over 100 new buyers. Wanting to solve this

discrepancy and return the Opera to its previously upward trend in attendance, Sammis partnered with the arts marketing firm TRG Arts to revitalize the Opera’s image, which resulted in their blockbuster 31st season.

The 31st season turned out to be the most successful for the company yet, seeing a spike in attendance from the 30th season at 83 percent total house attendance with their production of Carmen resulting in two full houses. These staggering numbers show that the public is exited about the Opera, and the Opera shows its excitement back with great events like the Jukebox Gala and the Operazzi Ball that feature singers at each event.

These fundraising events not only support the Opera but provide indulgence for Opera enthusiasts and newcomers alike out on the town. nwflbusinessclimate.com | Business Climate | 43

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Bringing a big-city, hands-on approach to art, the First City Art Center (FCAC) is a unique workshop gallery whose artists range from the skilled instructor to the novice student, with all of their work valued. Located in the Long Hollow neighborhood, the FCAC is in the heart of the community, offering a variety of art classes— ranging from drawing to glassblowing—for all skill levels and attracts many downtown residents and guests visiting the city. In addition to teaching classes, FCAC hosts many events that allow the public to enjoy the art produced by the Center while bonding as a community.

“The events, in particular, are very cool and fun and different than anything going on in our city,” says Meredith Doyen, executive director of FCAC. “Outside of the events we are providing people with a place to see art being made at any given moment.”

PENSACOLA LITTLE THEATRE

Being a working art center, as Doyen describes it, FCAC is dedicated to physically making art, not just selling it. Events such as Hot Glass, Cold Brew and the Pumpkin Patch are vital to the success of FCAC as they are critical fundraising events, generating one fourth of the Center’s $400,000 annual operating budget.

“With the Pumpkin Patch we make ceramic and glass pumpkins all summer in preparation,” says Doyen. “We put out around 2,000 pumpkins made by 40-plus different artists.”

The FCAC takes art and makes it accessible not only for purchase but for creation. By creating an extensive range of classes, FCAC is sure to stay rooted in its Long Hollow neighborhood, attracting artists, buyers, or just the curious for many years to come.

The leader in community theatre, the Pensacola Little Theatre (PLT) hosts an expansive, all volunteer cast, allowing for local talent to take the stage and provide quality productions. Located within the Pensacola Cultural Center, the PLT is maintaining a landmark of Pensacola while sharing the historic space with other artistic venues— Pensacola Ballet, PCARA, the West Florida Literary Foundation—and local businesses.

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FIRST CITY ART CENTER

The PLT is always looking to the future and innovating the way people can experience shows and help keep theatre alive. Offering new, flexible ticket packet options, there are now a variety of options for one to experience shows. Rather than purchasing a seat in the theatre for the entire season, the new ticket books allow the ability to easily bring guests.

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TEN NEW BUSINESSES IN DOWNTOWN’S CORE

BY CHRISTIAN PACHECO & JOSH NEWBY PHOTOS BY GUY STEVENS

V. PAUL’S V. Paul Bruno Jr. and David Hambrick, who owns Jaco’s Bayfront Bar & Grille, have teamed up to bring Downtown Pensacola a taste of Italy with V. Paul’s Italian Ristorante in the middle of Palafox Street.

“I’ve wanted to do something in the downtown corridor there on Palafox Street for quite a while, but it just didn’t feel like the time was right. Now it does,” Bruno said. “We’ve picked up a lot of momentum downtown, and we think that momentum is going to be sustainable.”

Bruno, who has been in the restaurant industry for 40 years, said that he feels there is a need for an Italian restaurant in the ever-expanding downtown business district. He credits businesses and events like Jeweler’s Trade, New York Nick’s and Gallery Night with helping bolster the region and says he loves how businesses and neighbors in the neighborhood support each other.

About 38 people work for the establishment, which Bruno labels “casual upscale,” saying people in all manner of dress come to enjoy the fare and atmosphere. V. Paul’s also has full banquet facilities and hosts events like Vino Magnifico and the Jazz Society of Pensacola’s Blue Monday.

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KHON’S

Downtown Pensacola got a little more diverse when Khon’s opened in mid-2014. Chef Dot Chap, who previously worked at Bonsai Sushi on Pensacola Beach and wanted to start his own venture, owns the Southeast Asian-style restaurant. He and Winston Evans bought the space that previously housed Nacho Daddies.

The restaurant is small and seats about 40 people, with an additional 15 seats outside, but has already gained a loyal following of foodies who enjoy quality sushi, pho, curry and satay.

“It’s been out of control,” said Chap. “I think we’re one of the last pieces of the puzzle on Palafox.” nwflbusinessclimate.com | Business Climate | 47

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BRICK & SPOON Coming soon is Brick & Spoon, a Southern collection of restaurants that features high-quality, accessible and affordable Cajun and Creole food. With seven current locations across the South, the restaurant specializes in breakfast, brunch and lunch, and was recently named one of the top breakfast restaurants in the world by Travel + Leisure magazine.

Brick & Spoon also offers a robust spirits collection, with famous built-to-order bloody marys and unique cocktails.

MOONFLOWER Moonflower Salon is a full-service hair salon that offers a variety of haircuts and treatments for men, women and children. Patrons are also made as comfortable and informed as possible, being offered complementary drinks, a consultation, and more before choosing their style.

“The salon stays up to date on trends, and fashions by constantly having containing education, and classes,” said owner and head stylist Whitney Sansom.

Sansom, who has been in the beauty industry for over 10 years, said she knew she wanted to be in the beauty industry since she was 16, when she first worked in a salon.

“It has always just come so naturally to me, and it is very rewarding make someone feel their absolute best,” Sansom said.

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PURE PILATES For Susan Clark, owner and trainer at Pure Pilates, the fitness system isn’t just a vehicle to earn money; it’s a dynamic and therapeutic practice that helped her overcome her own physical limitations.

“When I went to college at the University of Texas at Austin to pursue a dance degree, I suffered from hip and back injuries,” Clark said. “Pilates was the best form of rehabilitation for me, and that is what inspired me to get my own

certification.”

Pilates is a style of exercise that focuses on muscle control, flexibility, coordination, strength and tone, according to the gym’s official website.

In addition to the method, Pure Pilates offers courses in yoga, Barre Method, TRX Suspension Training and other exercise regimens. Clients can also enjoy a massage or a facial at the Gulf Breeze location or select from 16 lines of apparel at the new Pensacola location, according to Clark.

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MAINLINE ART HOUSE

Even though Pure Pilates already has a location in Gulf Breeze, but Clark was excited to open the business in the South of Government Street (SOGO) area.

“When the wonderful opportunity of opening a second location in downtown Pensacola was proposed, we could not miss out on being part of such a thriving area and community of people,” Clark said. “We are very honored to be a contributing member to the SOGO district.”

Call 850-607-2772 or visit purepilatespensacola.com for more information on class schedules, prices and instructor training.

Mainline Art House opened early in 2014 as a modern, upscale take on art galleries in downtown in the Studer-owned Artisan block of buildings. Its owners, Mikel and Jason Traffenstead, are frequent travelers who had for a long time toyed with the idea of opening an art gallery and bought the Mainline location for $2 million.

The Traffensteads wanted to open a gallery that harkened back to many of the commercial galleries they saw when visiting exotic locales in Europe and knew right away that it had to be downtown.

The couple has also been frequent supporters of downtown events since locating to Palafox. The gallery has sponsored a Gallery Night, Shop Sundays and other events meant to entice people further south on Palafox.

Mainline currently features the work of artists Joe Hobbs, Evan Levin, and others. But the gallery sells more than art; vintage furniture, unique books and even eclectic children’s toys are all for sale.

“We want people to know that before they go to a store to buy art that’s mass produced they can come here and for close to the same price and in some cases less, and pick up an original piece that supports a local artist in our community and that sets you on that journey of starting to collect art,” said Jason.

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SHUX OYSTER BAR

WILD GREG’S SALOON “As far as what inspired me to open [Wild Greg’s], it’s a concept I very much like,” said Greg Urban, regarding the opening of Wild Greg’s Saloon, a new country-western dance club with a staff of 30 in Downtown Pensacola. The concept for the business is emulative of Dallas Bull in Tampa, his favorite bar, as well as The Block in Fort Walton.

Urban, who also helms Urban Companies, a business based in Saint Paul, Minnesota specializing in road construction, excavations and real estate, said that he launched this new venture because he enjoys going out and having a good time. His general manager also has experience in the

nightclub business, having owned and ran some of the biggest establishments in the Midwest, Urban said.

Wild Greg’s boasts having “the meanest mechanical bull on the Gulf Coast” and also features line dancing lessons, in-house DJs and event catering.

While others have told Urban that owning a club is far different from just going to one and he realizes that “work is work,” he said he has more fun coming up with creative concepts and marketing ideas than running road construction projects.

For more information, visit wildgregssaloon.com.

ARTISAN BUSINESSES Nom’s Sushi Izakaya is yet another Artisan occupant, one that is sure to garner attention from sushi-lovers in downtown and beyond. With these additions, as well as existing mainstays like the Bodacious family of shops, the Pensacola Museum of Art, and Don Alan’s Menswear, the SoGo (South of Government) district is truly becoming a one-stop eclectic shop for all dining, entertainment and retail needs. Anyone who says there is nothing to do on Palafox south of Government Street has clearly not been south of Government Street in a long time.

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Shux Oyster Bar acts as the anchor for Al Fresco, a group of five open-air eateries in Downtown Pensacola in the heart of Palafox and Main Streets.

“When this location came available, I thought a lot about what would work,” said Josh Lucking, the restaurant’s owner.

“My initial feeling was a [Bourbon Street] feel with the outdoor patio and bar, and then a unique menu that we do very well.”

The restaurant offers not only raw and a variety of cooked oysters, but also other seafood, gourmet stuffed burgers, salads and more, something that appeals to not only customers, but a small and dedicated staff as well.

“As a smaller restaurant we have about 16 employees,” Lucking said, noting that food quality and service are their top focus. “I would say they enjoy working here because of the atmosphere and the great food. Anytime you have people loving the food, it makes your job easier.”

Between Apparel and Lingerie, also in the Artisan, is a women’s store featuring carefully curated collections of brands from major markets both in the US and around the world. The apparel is meant to emphasize value and sensuality with handcrafted quality and sustainability.

The store also offers personalized shopping services through fitting appointments and custom wardrobing. Customers can make 60-minute appointments, or groups can make 90- or 120-minute appointments, to experience Between as it was meant to be enjoyed.

These personal fitting and shopping experiences are tailored to each woman’s individual preferences as much as the clothes they peruse are tailored to their needs.

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“

What makes

t n o w w o n d GREAT? ”

ACCORDING TO 10 BUSINESS PEOPLE WHO MAKE D O W N T O W N G R E AT

BY CHRISTIAN PACHECO. PHOTOS BY GUY STEVENS.

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AMY MILLER

Director, Port of Pensacola “Pensacola has one of the most picturesque downtowns I’ve ever seen. That beauty, combined with the wonderful people and the amazing variety of activities, makes downtown pretty hard for me to pass up when planning leisure activities. Yes, I have to be here 40 hours a week, but I choose to be here another 15 or 20 hours a week.”

DANNY ZIMMERN

President, Pensacola Mardi Gras “I’ve been heavily involved in downtown for, it seems like 30 years. Taking ownership of Pensacola Mardi Gras in 1999 gave me a unique opportunity to see the area grow and thrive. It was always sort of the hub of business. Now it sort of appears to be the hub of all Pensacola. The town has revitalized. The businesses are more intimate in downtown; the area is centered on smaller businesses and independent brands while the areas around the malls are focused on national chains.”

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10 JOE ABSTON

Owner, Hopjacks, The Tin Cow, Pot Roast & Pinot “From a personal standpoint, it has all those great things of big city living without the big city problems. I’m able to get everywhere I need to be downtown without driving. I walk about six miles everyday going to and from work and my favorite spots. I believe the melting pot of housing, retail, nightlife and entertainment is what keeps people coming to Downtown Pensacola. No city can survive if it is just one thing.”

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EVAN LEVIN

Co-Owner, Vinyl Music Hall

DEBORAH DUNLAP

Owner, Deborah Dunlap Properties “I can walk to 25 restaurants, and they’re all fabulous. I know the specials of each one by heart, but it’s tough to pick a favorite. I believe the authentic historical architecture really draws people to the area, in addition to the many restaurants and entertainment outlets.”

“My family loves living downtown and being part of the exciting growth and changes that are taking place. There’s a really nice variety of restaurants, entertainment/bar establishments and shops. Everything you need to live, work and play is downtown and it’s all within walking distance of one another. I’m excited to see the new residential projects popping up as well. Downtown Pensacola’s historical attractions, vibrant business corridor and its location all make it a wonderful place to be. There’s an energy you can feel when you’re downtown now. People want to be where things are happening. Our Gallery Nights, festivals, Palafox Market on Saturdays and annual events such as the New Years Eve celebration bring a lot of people downtown.”

NIC SHUCK

Owner, Emerald Coast Tours “Downtown Pensacola really has a lot of movement. There are people walking around, biking, playing, working. It feels like the heart of city. It’s where things are happening. It’s unique to anything else on the Emerald Coast, too. We aren’t just a beach town, we are a historic city. And I think people can feel that history. It’s authentic. People recognize the real. It’s not manufactured like a lot Florida cities are. It’s grown organically from the hard work of the citizens. It’s inspiring to belong to something that dates back to the first Europeans in the New World. Not many cities have that kind of history.”

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MEGAN PRATT

Vice President, Pensacola City Council Owner, Pensacola MESS Hall

“I think Downtown Pensacola offers so many things to do, like the waterfront, dinner spots and shows. Not many people can hit all of those things in such a small area. One aspect I think really appeals to visitors is the architecture.

The buildings’ designs resemble those found in New Orleans, showcasing a familiar, yet unique, city identity.”

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JASON TRAFFANSTEAD Co-Owner, Mainline Art House

“No week is complete for us without popping into some of the wonderful shops and seeing all of the gracious owners and employees along Palafox.

Visiting with Rishy Studer at Bodacious Olive, talking with Don at Don Alan’s... Mr. Rogers asked generations of kids, ‘Who are the people in your neighborhood?’ I am proud to say that I know the people in my neighborhood; they care about us and our businesses… For us the question is, ‘How can you not want to be part of Downtown Pensacola?’”

MIKEL TRAFFANSTEAD Co-Owner, Mainline Art House

DEDE FLOUNLACKER

Executive Director, Manna Food Banks, Inc. “The variety of entertainment, eats and energy that Downtown Pensacola offers appeals to people from all sorts of backgrounds and interests. Fishing off the pier, running in the Firecracker 5K, eating at Global Grill (my favorite activity), playing with your pups at Community Maritime Park, visiting the amazing museums, almost any kind of festival or celebration you can imagine – all of this and more just in the downtown area.

Downtown is a safe place, it’s clean and it’s part of our incredible community that cares about people in need. When people working downtown got trapped by the April 29 flood waters, Hopjacks welcomed them in to take shelter and enjoy some pizza – even when the restaurant was dealing with its own flooding issues.”

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“For me, being in Downtown Pensacola allows for a small town feel, with the amenities of a larger city. You can spend the day downtown and go to any number of great shops and restaurants, while knowing that you’re not just going to a chain, but supporting your local merchants and friends.

I think that also plays into why others are drawn to our area. Many communities, some right here in Northwest Florida, have tried to create a ‘downtown center.’ Pensacola’s advantage and appeal is that we already have it organically.”

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