City holds first workshop for Port Vision Plan and Reinvestment Strategy

The first of two community work sessions for the Port’s Vision Plan and Reinvestment Strategy is in the books.

Citizens had the opportunity to share their ideas of how the 50 acres of waterfront property should be utilized. City employees and maritime planning experts, Moffatt & Nichol, held the first round of workshops on June 26 and 27.

About 55 people attended the June 26 morning session to get an overview of the project. Scott Lagueux, director of waterfront planning, made the presentation and offered a timeline for the project.

The consultants are looking for community feedback to answer the question of how Pensacola’s Port land should evolve to meet the economic and social opportunities of the next 50 years.

The port has served as a pivotal transportation and trade gateway for northwest Florida since its establishment. Over the next four months, the consultants will dive deep and explore ideas, uses and community priorities for some, or all of the Port. The goal is that by October, the city council will be presented with a plan for the Port’s future.

In addition to the workshop, there is an online survey. The survey asks a variety of questions about how the current port is viewed and hosts a community comment board for surveyors to like, reply and agree with other surveyors.

A second round of community work sessions will be held late July or early August.

Stay up to date and in touch with all events and activities by going to www.portsidepensacola.com.

Ferries are up and running just in time for the beginning of summer

What is better than wind in your hair while riding a boat on a hot summer day?

Not a lot.

Now, everyone can enjoy that luxury whether they own a vessel or not.

On June 22, the Pensacola Bay ferry service operated its first rides for the public.

The City of Pensacola has been working with the National Park Service to bring a ferry service to the area. Right now, the service shuttles people between downtown Pensacola, Fort Pickens and the Santa Rosa Sound side of Pensacola Beach.

Each ride is about 45 minutes and food and beverages are sold onboard.

Pensacola Bay Cruises operates the ferries. Visit http://www.pensacolabaycruises.com/ to purchase tickets, view the schedule and make reservations. You can also call 850-497-6005.

Work is underway to construct the permanent terminal building in downtown Pensacola. The project is expected to complete by the end of October. Temporary ticketing facilities will be used for the 2018 season.

First responders help collect over 34,000 pounds of food for Manna Food Pantries

Operation #DonutStrike4Manna was a tough challenge, but Pensacola first-responders helped pull it off flawlessly.

The Pensacola Fire Department, Pensacola Police Department, Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office gave up eating donuts for the good of our community.

From June 20-22, firefighters and officers swore off the delicious small fried dough rings and helped collect food and cash for Manna Food Pantries.

Pensacola Police officers pose for photo

They were stationed at different places throughout Pensacola and Escambia County to accept donations.

Manna Food Pantries set the goal at 30,000 pounds, or 15 tons. They surpassed that goal and collected 34,707 pounds! That amount is equivalent to 26,030 meals and can feed 8,677 people a day.

Manna Food Pantries provides meals to 22,500 people in our community.

While the challenge has completed, Manna Food Pantries is always in need of donations. For information on how you can help out visit Manna’s website.

https://www.mannahelps.org

photo showing blue angels flying over Pensacola Beach

Visit the event page for more information.

Mayor’s Neighborhood Clean Up scheduled for this weekend

Grab your gloves and hats, folks. The Mayor’s Neighborhood Cleanup is coming up this Saturday.

Sanitation crews and volunteers from Keep Pensacola Beautiful will be going through the southwest corner. They will be helping residents clean up debris, remove litter and assist in getting items curbside. Code Enforcement will conduct a sweep of the area to identify and address any code violations.

The east boundary is E Street to the north Main Street and A Street to the south of Main Street.

You can help out by placing all materials for collection on the curb by 7 a.m. on Saturday.

Learn more about the program and find out what area will be cleaned next month by visiting our website.

https://www.cityofpensacola.com/225/Mayors-Neighborhood-Cleanup-Program

Fourth of July festivities in The Upside

Sertoma Club celebrates its 29^th year of hosting the huge patriotic 4^th of July Celebration for Pensacola next week.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a variety of FREE activities around downtown. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Seville Square will have a children’s area with inflatables, rock climbing, pony rides, face painting and much more. There will be food vendors, live entertainment on the Bayfront stage in the evening.

Starting at 6 p.m., Pensacola Symphony Orchestra will take over Hunter Amphitheater at the Community Maritime Park for a FREE outdoor concert leading up to the firework display.

The Pensacola Blue Wahoos Stadium opens at 7 p.m. and will host family friendly activities.

The firework show over Pensacola Bay featuring music from Cat Country 98.7 begins at 9 p.m.

INSTAGRAM: Photo of the week

Be sure to tag us using @cityofpensacola or #upsideofflorida so we see your pic!

Photo Credit: @mredish