Guidelines

I am one member of a five person board. The opinions I express on this forum are mine only, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Escambia County Staff, Administrators, Employees, or anyone else associated with Escambia County Florida. I am interested in establishing this blog as a means of additional transparency to the public, outreach to the community, and information dissemination to all who choose to look. Feedback is welcome, but because public participation is equally encouraged, appropriate language and decorum is mandatory. Although this is not my campaign site for re-election--sometimes campaign related information will be discussed, therefore in an abundance of caution I add the following :








Friday, May 31, 2024

New Offer Received Today for OLF 8: $36 Million for the Whole 540 Acres

 Staff just received the below offer today for the entire OLF-8 field.  We will have to go through it and there are some issues that would have to be worked if we were to accept it (e.g. the Triumph Grant for Frank Reeder Road and some infrastructure improvements on the field might not happen as these grants are only allowable on government owned-properties).  We will also have to see how the Master Plan that is already in our ordinances will be followed by this new offeror.  So some issues to work through but if we were to sell for this amount, we would realize more than a $20 Million dollar "profit" for the taxpayers--and this firm has a great reputation.  So we will see.

Interestingly--they are offering a donation of between 15-25 acres to the school board for a school to be built on the site.

This offer will be on our next agenda, this coming Thursday.














10 comments:

Anonymous said...

The residents of Beulah have long advocated for a development approach that aligns with our community's values and vision. The DPZ plan represents a comprehensive and thoughtful blueprint for our future, addressing the needs for sustainable growth, community spaces, and infrastructure improvements that will benefit all residents.

Today, we acknowledge the new offer of $36 million for the entire 540 acres of OLF 8. While the financial aspect is significant, it is crucial to emphasize that any development of this land must incorporate the principles and guidelines outlined in the DPZ plan. The plan is not merely a set of suggestions; it is a reflection of the collective aspirations of our community.

Without the inclusion of the DPZ plan, any development proposal is a non-starter for us. We urge all stakeholders to prioritize the implementation of the DPZ plan to ensure that the future of Beulah is in line with the desires and needs of its people.

Anonymous said...

Here’s the deal: let's allow them to buy the whole property, as long as they follow the DPZ (Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company) plan.

The vision here is crystal clear. These folks are planning to create an incredible medical park, and I believe it’s going to be a game-changer for our community. Think about it – cutting-edge medical facilities, more jobs, and a significant boost to our local economy. It’s the kind of innovation and forward-thinking development we need.

By sticking to the DPZ plan, we ensure the project is not just big, but smart. It will maintain the aesthetic and functional integrity we all value, blending seamlessly with our community’s existing infrastructure and future aspirations.

This is an opportunity to elevate our community’s profile and provide essential services that can improve lives. Let's make it happen.

Thanks for considering my perspective. Excited to see the positive impact this project will bring.

Anonymous said...

sticking to the DPZ plan is non-negotiable. It’s our best bet for ensuring this development is top quality, sustainable, and economically beneficial for everyone. Deviating from this plan risks missing out on a huge opportunity for our community.

Anonymous said...

Including tennis courts in our development is a brilliant way to foster community engagement. Tennis is a fantastic sport for all ages and can significantly enhance our community spirit. Our commissioner supports this idea, so we might need an additional acre donated for imported clay red courts from Europe. This addition would perfectly complete the Navy Fed recreational center.

I believe that donating one acre could provide us with 14-16 additional tennis courts, allowing us to compete with the Roger Scott Tennis Center while attracting players from Alabama and the surrounding areas.

Theresa Blackwell said...

Whoever wrote those anonymous comments on sticking to the DPZ master plan, great summary of where we should be with this. We need for you to say all that at a BCC meeting. If you fear public speaking, just read it at the microphone like I have done many a time. If people have anything negative to say about what you say, it's a compliment - you made them listen! Could not agree with you more. This is election time, and we expect elected officials to keep their promises - like the one they made when they approved the master plan.

As far as the tennis courts, that's up to whoever buys the property, but I do think we need a playground for children there, too. Navy Federal's park is fabulous, but the exercise equipment there is for 14 years or older. Small children should not be way up in the air flipping around on bars - like I have seen them do.

Anonymous said...

Bergosh. Stick the the DPZ plan. Stamped, approved, paid by navy fed, and the word of the people. Are you a commissioner of the people? After we get this one done, I want a DPZ or walkable type master plan for Brownsville too.

Anonymous said...

Too late to pull the wool over eyes — DPZ is what we got and is what we will stick to. Otherwise, we vote everyone out.

Anonymous said...

No more credit unions, more quality restaurants.

Anonymous said...

Medical park, with DPZ plan .

Anonymous said...

I really hope that our commissioner says some nice things about these folks, we could use the healthcare out here in Beulah. Seems like the whole parcel is also the quickest way to close and receive money— all via DPZ plan which is embedded in master plan.