City of Pensacola

Pensacola expects to reopen the Romana block of Palafox Street to pedestrians the week of May 12, while Gallery Night and the Fiesta Parade remain on Jefferson Street as work continues on the New Palafox project.

Pensacola officials are preparing for nearly 10,000 ticketed attendees downtown Wednesday for Keyla Richardson’s American Idol homecoming celebration, including a parade, concert, traffic plans and national filming for the show’s finale.

Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves said he does not support a proposed $58 million tax rebate for a $250 million Maritime Park development as currently structured, citing concerns about public return, potential taxpayer costs and overlapping incentives.

Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves says the EPA expects to provide $8.6 million to complete Phase 1 cleanup of the former American Creosote Works site, a long-delayed Superfund project on the city’s west side.

Developers behind a $250 million project at Pensacola’s Maritime Park are seeking up to $60 million in CRA tax rebates, citing financing gaps, environmental costs and housing requirements. City officials say the request is still under review.

Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves says discussions about bringing a professional soccer team to the city are continuing, with market interest and potential local ownership in place. But the effort still hinges on securing a stadium site and funding plan.

Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves says the city has a revised plan to preserve $3.5 million in Hurricane Sally housing aid from a stalled $5.8 million disaster grant after the City Council rejected an earlier proposal to shift the funds to port infrastructure.

Millions still needed for cleanup as EPA moves toward first phase of work

Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves responded to a Florida DOGE report accusing the city of wasteful spending by disputing the state’s framing and saying the findings will not change how City Hall operates. Reeves said the city cooperated fully with the review but argued the report oversimplifies property tax growth and ignores Pensacola’s role as a regional hub.

Mayor D.C. Reeves has selected Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom to lead the Pensacola Police Department, pending City Council approval, following a national search after former Chief Eric Randall’s resignation.