Pensacola wins $14M in state budget, $60M vetoed in area
The city of Pensacola came out a victor in Florida's $116.5 billion state budget for the coming year, a lone bright spot in a budget that saw the vast majority of Escambia and Santa Rosa projects decimated.
DeSantis vetoed $950 million in programs and projects statewide, including more than $60 million in funding requests for initiatives in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, the bulk of the funding cut from the University of West Florida. Escaping the veto pen completely were three projects championed by the city of Pensacola.
"It’s a great day for the city of Pensacola,” Mayor D.C. Reeves said in a statement. “The $14.2 million investment in all three of our legislative priorities will help transform our airport, our city parks system, and set the stage for Pensacola’s largest attainable housing investment ever. I appreciate Gov. DeSantis, Sen. Doug Broxson, Rep. Andrade, Rep. Salzman and Conservation Florida for their advocacy in these projects, and we look forward to getting all three started soon.”
Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze, was chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee during his last regular session in office, and he led negotiations for the Senate between the Senate and House.
Here's a look at the major projected included in the state budget:
Escambia and Santa Rosa County appropriations
Baptist Hospital Legacy Campus Reimagining: $7 million
This funding is for the city of Pensacola to use toward the demolition of the old Baptist Hospital on the city's westside and construction of affordable housing on the site. The issue has been a top priority of Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves' administration since he took office in 2022.
With an additional $2 million from Escambia County, $3 million from Baptist Healthcare on top of a $2.9 million pledge from a potential land sale of part of the campus to the affordable housing developer the Paces Foundation, the city has the funding it needs to move forward on a catalytic project at the site.
Bay Bluffs Park revamp: $2.2 million
Pensacola also received its $2.2 budget allocation for Bay Bluffs park in a partnership with Conservation Florida. The funds will allow for removing the condemned boardwalk at Pensacola's Bay Bluff Park and creating nature trails. Conservation Florida, a statewide land conservancy dedicated to protecting Florida's natural and agricultural landscapes, will take an interest in the park that will prevent any future city administration from selling the park on the private market. The funding paves the way for discussion with community members and Conservation Florida on the design of the revamped park, city officials said Wednesday.
Pensacola International Airport terminal expansion: $5 million
The funding will go toward the $70 million project to expand the passenger terminal at the Pensacola International Airport. The city is already in the design phases of the project that aims to keep up with the explosive growth in travel at the airport.
Fiscal year 2023 saw an 8.6% increase in passenger counts from 2022, a 17% increase over 2021 and an 87% increase over 2013.
The city is seeking both state and federal funding for the project. The more funds it can get in from state and federal grants, the less it will need to bond out against airport revenue.
Also making the final budget was a $500,000 allocation for a Santa Rosa County District School project.
Santa Rosa Center for Innovation: $500,000
The funding, on top of $9 million already approved by Triumph Gulf Coast, will go to pay for equipment for the Santa Rosa County District School's Santa Rosa Center for Innovation. The center’s mission is to inspire a next generation of leaders by creating an environment where students can explore, experiment and innovate, bridging the gap between education and the workforce to prepare students for the "jobs of tomorrow," Superintendent Karen Barber said previously.
A STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics)-based curriculum will be offered at the center. The fields of aviation, cybersecurity, aerospace and defense as well as manufacturing, distribution and logistics will be initially prioritized, with an eye toward change if and when regional economic priorities change.
Escambia and Santa Rosa County vetoes
DeSantis vetoed about $1 billion in programs and projects, including more than $60 million in funding requests for initiatives in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
The approximately two dozen local funding requests slashed by the governor's veto pen included affordable housing initiatives, roadway improvements and an array of projects requested by the University of West Florida and Pensacola State College.
Florida's 2024 budget requests: 10 big Pensacola-area projects in Florida's $117B budget
Below is a list of the $61,766,770 in funds that were vetoed, and a short project description taken from the Florida Senate's list of Local Funding Initiative Requests:
Escambia County
Pensacola State College: Training Center - Pensacola - $13,444,915
The project funding was to build a 10,656-square-foot training center on the main Pensacola campus of PSC to provide a space large enough to accommodate business and industry training as well as professional development between PSC students and local businesses.
Pensacola State College: WSRE Antenna Removal in Escambia County - $250,000
The funding request was to remove the aged and outdated 1967 broadcast antenna before it causes damage and to do so without impacting funds to educate citizens.
University of West Florida: Educational Research Center for Child Development Expansion - $750,000
The expansion would allow for four new classrooms to be added to the ERCCD, which provides early childhood education programs for children ages 6 months to 5 years.
University of West Florida: Science and Engineering Research Wing Phase II - $26,216,727
The funding request was for construction of a Research Wing addition to the Science and Engineering Building #4, to support growth of the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering.
Parent University Pensacola: Expanded Services - $500,000
Parent University Pensacola, a family engagement initiative, requested funding to offer more sessions and expand the slate of Parent University offerings.
University of West Florida: Developmental Laboratory School Feasibility Study - $750,000
In partnership with the city of Pensacola, UWF sought funding to conduct a feasibility study for a developmental laboratory school.
University of West Florida: Undergraduate Civil Engineering Program - $1,500,000
The purpose of this funding request was to establish and offer an ABET-accredited Civil Engineering program at the campuses of the University of West Florida.
University of West Florida: Water Quality Research Center (CEDB) - $5,000,000
The Center for Environmental Diagnostics and Bioremediation (CEDB) at the University of West Florida is intended to create a comprehensive water quality research environment for counties in Northwest Florida.
Lakeview Center: Long Term Care Pilot - $2,271,023
The Lakeview Center intended to pilot a 10-16 bed extended care, comprehensive, community-based facility for those needing residential behavioral health treatment beyond the short term.
Escambia County Law Enforcement Resilience Upgrades - $450,000
The veto list includes two entries for the Escambia County Law Enforcement Resilience Upgrades project, one for $30,000 and another for $420,000. The funding was sought to replace the roof and chillers of the Escambia County Sheriff Administration Building to provide necessary protection to critical data gathered during investigations.
Historic Pensacola - $250,000
West Florida Historic Preservation Inc. sought funding for maintenance, preservation and operations of state-owned heritage tourism sites.
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority: Pensacola Beach Reclaimed WaterDistribution System - $950,000
The funding was requested to further match ECUA funds to complete the 3-mile long reclaimed water distribution backbone from the south end of Bob Sikes Bridge down Via De Luna Drive to Avenida 23.
The Hope Center of Brownsville: Transitional Homeless Family Housing - $100,000
This would be a transitional housing complex where homeless families can stay up to one year while being assisted by a case manager to locate more permanent affordable family housing.
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Santa Rosa County
City of Milton Downtown Festival Event Area Improvements - $250,000
The Downtown Festival Event Area Improvements would have included permanent ADA restroom facilities and a paved parking lot to aid in accessibility for all residents and visitors.
YMCA of Northwest Florida: Betty J. Pullum Family YMCA Expansion - $2,500,000
The funding would have supported Phase 1 of facility expansion from 18,000 square feet to 40,000.
Jay Wastewater Plant Drying Bed - $400,000
The town of Jay requested funding for engineering plans and construction of an additional sludge drying bed at its wastewater treatment plant.
South Santa Rosa Soccer Complex - $1,000,000
The new complex was intended to provide new soccer fields to accommodate the significant increase in year-round demand from recreational leagues and traveling squads.
Santa Rosa County East River Preserve Nature Trail - $500,000
Funding was requested for nature trail creation within East Navarre Preserve. Phase 1 includes the construction of a trail loop and parking area at the trail head.
Santa Rosa County Wastewater Treatment Package Plant I-10 Industrial Park - $3,000,000
The funding was requested for construction of a wastewater treatment package plant that will serve industrial customers within the Milton Interchange Park.
Santa Rosa County: Glover Lane & Hamilton Bridge Road Intersection Improvements - $250,000
Design of intersection improvements at the junction of Glover Lane and Hamilton Bridge Road in Milton.
Santa Rosa County: Intersection Improvements - $1,000,000
The veto list includes a pair of entries ? both for $500,000 ? for construction of intersection improvements at the junction of Woodbine Road, Chumuckla Highway and Quintette Road in Pace.
Regional
Community Land Trust: NW Florida Affordable Housing - $122,605
Northwest Florida Community Land Trust requested funding to create a land bank for "future CLT homes to ensure the future of affordable homeownership in our community for generations to come."
NW Florida Affordable Housing for Workforce and Active Duty Military - $131,500
This project seeks to develop an affordable housing subdivision in the rural community of Cantonment and to develop other infill lots in rural communities throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Funds will be used for pre-construction development for units in rural northwest Florida for low-income and workforce families, with 20% of the homes designated as rentals for active-duty military members and their families.
Sharing Civic Engagement Strategies in Florida - $180,000
This grant was intended to expand the reach of CivicCon ? a civic education program created in partnership with the News Journal ? to other Florida communities to share effective community engagement strategies.
USA TODAY NETWORK – FLORIDA reporter John Kennedy contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Ron DeSantis vetoes hit UWF, PSC, Escambia, Santa Rosa hard