New Palafox Street Bike Lanes Ready for Use

Bicyclists can now take advantage of new bike lanes along a section of North Palafox Street in downtown Pensacola, part of the City of Pensacola's efforts to become a more bicycle and pedestrian friendly community.

The bike lanes were added through the North Palafox Road Diet Project, which transformed part of North Palafox Street into a multi-modal and shared roadway for vehicles and bicyclists.

Work on the project is substantially complete, and the lanes are open and usable. Some minor touches are expected to be finished in the next week.

"It's a great feeling to see these bike lanes completed and know we're providing a safer way for bicyclists to travel downtown," Mayor Grover Robinson said. "This is just the beginning of our goal to create a more bikeable, walkable city and better connect our community. I'm looking forward to completing additional projects throughout the city as we work to implement a complete streets concept that encompasses all modes of transportation."

Participate in City Hall Selfie Day Aug. 15

Get ready to grab your selfie stick and say “cheese” because City Hall Selfie Day is coming up Thursday, Aug. 15.

How does it work? Easy. Visit City Hall or any government building, snap a photo of yourself or your group and post the photo to social media using the hashtag #CityHallSelfie so everyone can see.

City Hall Selfie Day is an effort by Engaging Local Government Leaders to encourage citizen participation in local government. ELGL will be giving out trophies, recognition and prizes for the people and organizations that show the most pride and creativity.

Let's show them what Pensacola has to offer! Visit the Facebook event page and RSVP.

News Flash: People Love Riding Pensacola Bay Cruises

Hold onto your hats ladies and gentlemen, because what we're about to tell you is going to make you sail away. Pensacola Bay Cruises has sold roughly 33,000 tickets since first starting operations in late April.

Whoa.

Even better news, it's not too late to take a cruise. The peak season schedule runs until Aug. 15. You can even catch a Blue Angels practice while enjoying beautiful Pensacola Bay. Visit their website to see the schedule of departure times and to purchase tickets.

We'll be featuring Pensacola Bay Cruises on City Spotlight, so be sure to look for it on Facebook and our YouTube channel.

Just in case you didn't know, HMS Ferries, Inc. is the concessioner under contract with the National Park Service to operate the two boats. The “Turtle Runner” and “Pelican Perch” are the National Park Service's 150-passenger, catamaran-style boats. The City of Pensacola's Downtown Ferry Landing, which celebrated its grand opening on April 13, serves as their home port. The boats transport passengers between Quietwater Beach, Fort Pickens and downtown Pensacola

Gull Point Resource Center Offers Dance Open House

Interested in taking a dance class, but don't know which style is right for you?

Join us at the Gull Point Resource Center on Aug. 19 for an open house from 5:30-7 p.m.

Meet the instructors and take a tour of the building and the classrooms. Registration will be available online and at the center Monday, Aug. 12 through Friday, Aug. 23. Classes begin Monday, Aug. 26.

Visit PlayPensacola.com for a list of classes, pricing, and schedules.

On a separate, but similar note, we have teamed up with Higher Self Fitness to offer a Women's Self Defense class at Gull Point Resource Center on Tuesday and Thursday nights beginning Tuesday, Aug. 20 to Thursday, Oct. 24 from 7-8 p.m.

The class is free.

Gull Point Resource Center is located at 7000 Spanish Trail.

Celebrate National Senior Citizens Day on Aug. 21

flier celebrating national senior citizens day

The Final Blues on the Bay Concert is Next Sunday

Save the date so you don't miss out: The final Blues on the Bay Concert is Sunday, Aug. 18.

The Modern Eldorados will take the Hunter Amphitheatre stage at Community Maritime Park at 6 p.m.

Blues Angel Music will have their grand raffle drawing for thousands of dollars in prizes including musical instruments, lessons and more. Proceeds benefit the Blues Angel Music Foundation funding music education and therapy in the Pensacola community.

Congrats are in Order for One of Our GOAT Farm Runners

Francisco Ramirez 2019 AAU Junior Olympics All American

We have exciting news about our Gulf Coast Running Club, also known as the GOAT Farm, and their travels to the AAU Nationals – Junior Olympics this past week in North Carolina.

Francisco Ramirez, an incoming junior at Pace High School, placed fourth overall in the 3000 meter run, 15 to 16-year-old division and shattered his personal best by 24 seconds. He ran 9:18 at nationals, down from his 9:42 at the regional competition. His top eight finish earned him the award of All-American.

Francisco also set a new personal best in the 15 to 16-year-old division of the 1500 meter run. He ran 4:15 at nationals, down from 4:22 at the regional competition. He placed ninth in the country.

Congratulations, Francisco!

INSTAGRAM: Photo of the Week

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

Photo Credit: @jessidosen