REMINDER: Public Invited to Provide Written Comments on Downtown Hashtag Connector Project

Comments will be accepted through Friday, April 23

The public is invited to submit written comments on Phase I of the Downtown Hashtag Connector Project, which is a catalytic project supporting the city's goal to create a more connected public waterfront in Pensacola. Comments may be submitted via email to David Forte at dforte@cityofpensacola.com by 5 p.m. Friday, April 23.

The City of Pensacola hosted a virtual presentation and in-person open house this week to provide opportunities for the public to learn more about the project and share feedback. The community's thoughts, opinions and suggestions are highly valued and will inform design and engineering decisions for this and future phases.

A recording of the virtual presentation and discussion from Tuesday, April 13 is available here.

Draft concepts for the project that were displayed during the virtual presentation and in-person open house on Wednesday, April 14 are now available online:

At the meetings, the engineering and design team provided an update on how the project planning has evolved since the last public meeting held in February 2020, and shared additional research and lessons learned from similar projects in other cities and towns.

The Downtown Hashtag Connector Project was initiated as a catalytic project of the Pensacola Waterfront Framework Plan, with the goal of creating a more connected public realm along the city’s waterfront.

Key project priorities are:

Create a walkable, bikeable, and safe environment
Connect people to the waterfront
Acknowledge and celebrate historic significance, and
Encourage infill development and retail along Main Street

The project is being planned by the engineering firm Dewberry, with consistency review from SCAPE and with continued public input. The first phase of the project includes improvements to Main Street between South Alcaniz Street to South Baylen Street.

Citizens look at a presentation board at the Hashtag Connector Project open house

Citizens view project plans presented by Dewberry at the Downtown Hashtag Connector Project Open House on Wednesday, April 14.

Capital Improvements Project Manager David Forte, Mayor Grover Robinson and Councilman Jared Moore view project plans at the Downtown Hashtag Connector Project Open House on Wednesday, April 14.

Mayor Grover Robinson views project plans at the Downtown Hashtag Connector Project Open House on Wednesday, April 14.

Mayor Grover Robinson views project plans with citizens at the Downtown Hashtag Connector Project Open House on Wednesday, April 14.

Capital Improvements Project Manager David Forte, left, discusses project plans at the Downtown Hashtag Connector Project Open House on Wednesday, April 14.

Capital Improvements Project Manager David Forte, left, discusses project plans with a citizen at the Downtown Hashtag Connector Project Open House on Wednesday, April 14.

Click the image to enlarge

For more information or general questions, email pio@cityofpensacola.com. To stay informed about what's happening with City of Pensacola government, sign up for email or text notifications through Notify Me or follow @CityofPensacola on social media.