Latest Headlines
- Final Development Plans For Circle K At Highway 95A, Quintette Road Up For Vote
- Molino Man Accused Of Aggravated Assault Of Mother, Girlfriend With Ceiling Fan Blade
- Community Remembers Beau Rodrique, Former Beulah Fire Deputy Chief
- Rustic Rooster: Deli And Market Planned For Highway 97 In Davisville
- Northview High Names Students Of The Month
- Registrations Continue For Spring Season At Molino, NWE, Century, NEP
- FWC Law Enforcement Report: Hunting And Fishing Violations
- Escambia Sheriff, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector Sworn In Last Week
- Century Now Has New Interim Mayor; Town Seeks New Interim Council Member
- Pine Meadow Elementary Students Enjoy Week of Roy Hyatt Science Adventures
Escambia County Asking State For Millions, Homeowners Insurance Fix And Return Of Passenger Rail Service
January 9, 2025
Escambia County presented their top six requests to the Escambia County Legislative Delegation Wednesday night.
The delegation consists of Rep. Michelle Salzman, Rep. Alex Andrade and Sen. Don Gaetz. They heard from Escambia County, the City of Pensacola, Escambia County Public Schools, and other local organizations presented their funding requests and other wishes.
Escambia County asked for funding for projects costing several million dollars. The county is also asking the legislature to support the return of passenger rail service and to fix Florida’s homeowners insurance crisis.
1. Insurance Rates
Request: That the state prioritize insurance reform to provide relief to Florida homeowners.
Background: Like many Florida residents, Escambia County homeowners and property owners are continuing to face significant increases in their insurance rates. Insurance is becoming out of reach for many, with rates doubling or some companies even canceling policies altogether.
2. NAS Pensacola Main Gate
Request: Approximately $2-3 million to support project construction.
Background: Escambia County is working with FDOT, Naval Air Station Pensacola, and other community stakeholders on the South Navy Boulevard Corridor Management Plan, which aims to enhance the NAS Pensacola main gate and approaching corridor. The plan includes aesthetic improvements such as landscaping and lighting, new signage, and more. It also aims to provide additional public access by creating a new public interest area that can be accessed before entering the secure base area.
3. Pensacola Beach Gateway
Request: Approximately $5 million (estimated) for project construction.
Background: With hundreds of thousands of vehicles passing through the Pensacola Beach toll booth each year, Escambia County is planning significant improvements to give locals and visitors a warmer welcome to our beautiful
beaches. The project would include a brand new, more aesthetically pleasing gateway, with archways, cameras, new signage, and more.
4. Carpenter Creek Riparian Property Acquisition
Request: $2 million for property acquisition
Background: The Carpenter Creek/Bayou Texar Watershed is listed as an impaired system. A Watershed Management Plan has been completed, identifying water quality improvement projects and riparian stream restoration projects that will restore watershed functions and intrinsic values. Property acquisition is needed to utilize $6 million in RESTORE grant funding that has been awarded for construction.
5. Passenger Rail Connectivity Expansion
Request: That the State Legislature support reestablishing Amtrak passenger rail service from Mobile to Jacksonville.
Background: Escambia County supports the re-establishment of passenger rail service along the Gulf Coast, including Pensacola. Approximately 60 Florida commissioners have signed in support of expanding Amtrak passenger rail service from Mobile to Jacksonville. This would extend the passenger rail line being re-established between New Orleans and Mobile, tentatively set to begin in February 2025. FAC also supports the state joining the Southern Rail Commission, voting to make it one of its legislative priorities.
6. Housing Trust Fund
Request: That the state prioritize funding to increase affordable housing for residents.
Background: Affordable housing remains a challenge for many residents in Escambia County and throughout Florida, particularly low-income households. Escambia County continues to support housing stability to reduce and prevent homelessness. The county is seeking to increase the state’s Housing Trust Fund allocation, which would create additional opportunities to provide affordable housing assistance, including first-time homebuyers’ down payment assistance and rent, mortgage, or utility assistance through SHIP and other housing programs.
Pictured: An Amtrak inspection train rolls in Atmore (top) and Pensacola (below) in February 2016. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
13 Responses to “Escambia County Asking State For Millions, Homeowners Insurance Fix And Return Of Passenger Rail Service”
Florida is the new California and it’s terrible now. Can’t wait to get out
Bring Amtrak back. Florida will be has the most stops and the biggest influence on restoring passenger rail service. Nay sayers have weak counter arguments. Bring. It. Back.
1 yes
2 no
3 no
4 yes
5 yes
6.????? Although these programs are necessary for some, too many people take advantage of these type programs and never work or try.
@ins & outs
If you havent rode on a train,tells me by your comment
Courts should force you on a 3 day trip. Likely would change your closed mind
“Pensacola Beach Gateway” shouldn’t be a taxpayer funded item. It does not benefit the majority of taxpayers
I don’t think the Amtrak from Pensacola to Jacksonville is even possible. I’m pretty sure they only operate on Class 1 railroads like CSXT, NS, UP, etc.
CSXT sold the 373 rail miles from the end of the Goulding yard limits to Jacksonville to Florida Gulf and Atlantic Railroad in 2018 or 2019 which is a Class 3 railroad.
So if Amtrak, which is considered a Class 1 railroad hasn’t changed their rules about using Class 1 railroads, this is something that will never happen unless CSX buys the line back. That will probably never happen since it will probably cost millions to be completely rehabbed to get the road bed back up to their standards.
Look at what just happened in California. The state told insurance companies they couldn’t raise premiums, so they started canceling policies. Be careful what you ask for.
It’s not right for insurance companies to cancel insurance when they say you have got to put a new roof on if your selling the house I understand
I don’t think it is right for insurance company’s to say you have to put a new roof or be canceled out if you are selling the house I understand yes I was canceled out because I could not afford a new roof at one time
This looks like a list from someone who really didn’t need anything.
Where’s the projects at for the funds taken from Century last year ?
They were taken from Century because things weren’t getting done and now still not happening.
TAX AND SPEND VOTE THEM OUT WHAT ABOUT THE EVERYDAY GO TO WORK MAN AND WOMAN
We need all these things and yet we have a Children’s Trust that does what? Just look at the salaries and benefits.
Homeowners Insurance is the #1 mood killer in Florida.. A half-way fix will be better than nothing. Someone want to be “The Gov” then fix the insurance…. BTW… no one will ride the train….. not enough to matter any way.