USPS Publication Number 16300
T h is C om mu n i t y N ewsp a p er is a pu bl ica t ion of E sca m bia / S a n ta Rosa B a r Assoc ia t ion
Se r v i ng t he Fi r st Jud icial Ci rcu it
Section A, Page 1
Vol. 18, No. 07
Visit The Summation Weekly Online: www.summationweekly.com
February 14, 2018
1 Section, 8 Pages
New Bayview Community Center Approaches Construction by Tanner Yea
E
ver since the Bayview Community Center was razed in 2015, Bayview Park has been lacking a place where residents can get together, hold events and enjoy the natural beauty of the park. However, plans for the new center are nearing completion, promising a new and exciting space for Pensacola residents.
The concepts and ideas for a new community center have been in place since 2015, when the original Community Center had to be demolished due to flood damage from storms in 2014, as well lingering asbestos problems. In January of last year, city officials selected Caldwell Associates Architects to design the new building. The new facility is proposed to have 19,000 square feet of space, with 5,000 of that being non-air conditioned outside space. It will include outdoor spaces overlooking the water, Wi-Fi availability, meeting rooms, a large exercise room, a 200-seat event space, a catering kitchen and outdoor access restrooms. It will also have a storage facility for rental and
“The facility and its activities will help reinforce the importance of Bayou Texar as a natural asset, and support the continued improvements of and around Bayout Texar,” said Cooper. “It will also provide more accessible uses and waterfront access for seniors, families and children.” Though proposals for the design have been submitted, the final design for the facility will not be completed until some time in February. The beginning of construction is set to take place a few months later in April. The current design features three main buildings. The easternmost will be a boat storage as well as outdoor storage. The middle will feature
renderings Courtesy of Caldwell Associates Architects
expansion, going from 96 spaces to a proposed 117. The parking will be situated to have a minimal impact on trees and the park area, preserving The proposed layout of the facility, including the expanded parking lot natural beauty to the 2017 hurricane season. W. Crawford, a partner with while also con“Rising costs have forced us Caldwell Associates Archisidering the city’s parking regto minimize the size of the fa- tects, said that with this design ulations. The facility will be con- cility, the scope of the outdoor they hope to create a “vibrant structed mainly on the old and park components, and and exciting new chapter to building pad of the last com- utilize cost effective construc- the park.” “We want to create a buildmunity center. This will mini- tion types and materials,” said ing that embraced the beauty mize environmental impact, Cooper. The original proposed mas- and its uses without replicatallow easier installation of utilities, and turn the com- ter plan puts forth an expand- ing historic forms,” said Crawmunity center into a visual fo- ed playground, an expanded ford. “We were inspired by the cal point – drawing attention parking lot, a relocated dog gracing linearity and curves of park and new pavilions, but boat and rowing scull designs, these are future suggestions and conceived of the build as and not part of the initial equal parts community cenconstruction. The city also ter and park visitor center requested a potential solution like you might find in a state for replacement of the Senior or national park – an active Center, as it requires substan- and highly social building that tial repair – thus the master could speak to and represent plan contains contingency the great city that Pensacola plans to build a new senior is.” Despite these issues, high center in a later phase of the hopes remain for the new project. Another potential change Community Center. Though that may or may not happen ground has yet to be broken, due to construction costs is the facility is expected to be reducing the size of the boat fully complete and available parking area. This would allow for use in April 2019. “It will create a landmark famore boardwalks, pavilions and play areas close to the wa- cility for neighborhood uses, ter, as well as increasing foot enhance existing programs, traffic. This would hopefully and it will provide a home for The new Community Center design features a modern look and an open, view-focused floorpan. help restore the waterfront as non-motorized water based activities and recreation,” said well. Concerns have also been Cooper. use of kayaks, paddleboards the large event space, which from the parking lot. For more information on can be separated via dividers, and rowing sculls. Several obstacles have stood raised about the aesthetic asBrian Cooper is the Director as well as the catering kitchen, in the way of the center’s con- pects of the design. Original the Bayview Community Cenof Pensacola’s Parks and Rec- a balcony and various utilities. struction. The original pro- designs showed a facility that ter and other city projects, reation Department, and he The westernmost building fea- posal for the facility was esti- echoed the former one in visit cityofpensacola.com. For said that multiple community tures a fitness room, the meet- mated around $6 million, but looks, albeit with upgraded more information on Caldwell programs are already slated to ing rooms, a lobby and recep- that has increased to roughly construction and an expand- Associates Architects and operate out of the new facility, tion, a covered deck and also $8.2 million. This is mainly ed size. Current drafts show, their current projects, visit which in turn will help off load staff offices. due to rising construction however, a more modern and caldwell-assoc.com. The parking lot will see an costs throughout the state due stylized architecture. Michael the heavily used Senior Center.