Charles Fennell Gonzalez IV Casino Beach Reef Being Deployed this Morning at Pensacola Beach!

Named for our beloved employee Charlie Gonzalez who passed away unexpectedly (and far too young) earlier this year--the memorial reef the BCC dedicated in his honor is being deployed today at Pensacola Beach.

Originally planned for a deployment last week--a contractor's equipment malfunction created the delay.

Once fully deployed at a depth of around 11 feet (with a clearance of 6' from the top of the reef to the surface of the water), the reef will be a magnet for fish and sea life as well as a wonderful addition to Casino Beach for snorkelers and swimmers!

Learn more about Escambia County's Marine Resources Division and  our numerous swimming reefs here.

What is the Current Status of the Traffic Issues and Potential Roundabouts at Pensacola Beach?

There is a continuing push from some Pensacola Beach interests to add roundabouts and pedestrian underpasses (as depicted above)  at Pensacola Beach to improve traffic flow.  

We have discussed the traffic situation at Pensacola Beach for years.  Many solutions or potential solutions have been put forward, several have been implemented.  Not all beach interests are satisfied with what has been done to date.

I believe the biggest impediment to moving traffic to and from the beach was, is, and remains the toll booth.  I have loudly advocated that we get rid of the booth forever and make up the lost revenue by converting some areas of Casino Beach into paid parking.  This could more than make up for the revenue lost by removing the toll plaza.  So far nobody has stepped up to support this good idea.

Short of doing that, making the tolls automatic and syncing the lights through Gulf Breeze and at the core of Pensacola Beach drops travel time---- during peak usage days---- between the Gulf Breeze Chic Fil A over to the first light at Fort Pickens Road---- from nearly one hour down to 12 minutes!  As I always assumed (correctly)---------- the biggest traffic issue clogging up the route to the beach has been, was, and is the toll booth and non-synced lights through Gulf Breeze.

I brought forward a plan to continue taking cash tolls while suspending tolls and going into a "zero-fare" mode at times when the traffic back ups get severe.  After some initial pushback while other plans were tested, ultimately my "panic switch" concept was put into place this summer with very good results and with very little fanfare..... (although nobody has publicly acknowledged this--staff has confirmed it).

Just this past Saturday, for instance, the "panic switch" was activated for an hour and a half, and this resulted in a complete flushing of the gridlocked traffic.  Roughly 5300 cars went through the toll booths during this period and paid no toll--and once the traffic was pushed through, traffic flowed freely, and we resumed taking tolls again.

Even though we are working through that back-up issue and actually have a plan that keeps the cash flowing (and the cars flowing to the beach as well)--some beach lease holders and hoteliers insist that the entire problem is not yet corrected, and that beach traffic must be improved even more.

These folks want roundabouts on the beach--to keep traffic moving.

I have voted for the funding for the costs/feasibility of constructing roundabouts on the beach--largely in support of and showing deference to my former colleague in D4 Grover Robinson.  My yes vote was also largely due to the fact that the costs associated with these studies/plans was paid from the D4 discretionary LOST budget.  (We've spent $1.6 Million to date with Volkert on developing the cost estimate for this project.)

The price-tag:  $9.4 Million and 12 months time to complete according to Volkert.

Now there is a push to go forward and put this contract and this plan out to bid to construct the roundabouts and the pedestrian underpasses. There does not appear to be an appetite for taking a wait

Could Potential Revenue from Just a Portion of Casino Beach Parking Completely Replace Current Bridge Toll Revenue?

According to one first-brush analysis--paid parking could more than replace the existing toll-booth revenue the County receives--while preserving LOTS of free parking at Pensacola Beach.

...According to a knowledgeable source on this topic locally--the answer is yes.

I was contacted through staff by this veteran of the paid parking industry.  This gentleman knows the business and has been in the business for a long time.  He has key insight and knowledge of the local paid parking market.

So when I returned his call I asked him some specific questions:

"Could we eliminate the toll, improve traffic, disperse the crowds more evenly throughout Pensacola Beach and do this making up the revenue with paid parking at a portion of Casino Beach's lot while leaving a significant number of spots FREE for early-bird beach visitors?

The answer was certain and it was clear.  "Jeff, you could do this, it would more than make up what you are currently netting at the toll booth, and you might even find that you make more."

I told him from my perspective I'm not interested in making more--just replacing existing revenue.  Our Bob Sikes Bridge is in need of replacement over the next 10-15 years and the cost to do this will be borne locally.  So capturing lost toll-booth revenue is essential to the plan, so that the excess funds generated by this can add to the existing $6.4 Million in our Beach Toll fund, a portion of which should be dedicated to a sinking fund for the Bob Sikes bridge.

I asked him what that would look like, and he sent over a rough analysis.  I explained to him clearly, the following:

1.  I was only doing initial fact-finding and research
2.  I am only one vote on the board and only the full 5-member BCC can make this decision
3.  My idea would be to keep ALL parking outside of Casino Beach free, and utilize just 75% of Casino Beach's lot for premium parking---leaving 25% free on a first come, first serve basis.