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OLF-8 Developer Asks Escambia County to Keep 171 Acres and Cut Price By $14 Million
March 23, 2026
A developer who purchased the OLF-8 property on Nine Mile Road wants Escambia County to keep nearly one-third of the property and lower the selling price by millions.
Last year, the Escambia County Commissioners approved the $42.5 million sale of about 540 acres of OLF-8 to Tri-W Development and Chad C. Henderson Enterprises of Pensacola.
Now, Henderson wants the county to keep 171.5 acres and lower the purchase price by just over $14 million. The change would result in the sale of 366.94 acres for $28,429,000.
At its June 5, 2025, meeting, the Escambia County Commission approved a purchase and sale agreement, and the developer made an initial escrow deposit of $100,000 before exercising an option and depositing another $50,000 to extend the original closing date of December 2, 2025, until July 16, 2026. The developer has two additional options to extend to August 17 and September 17 at $20,000 per extension.
In February of this year, a representative of the purchaser reported to the county that they had concluded that the greatest economic benefit for OLF-8 would be to develop 366.94 acres into five unique districts — commerce, town center, community, civic, and residential — and that the County should retain ownership of 171.5 acres to be developed as an ETI (Employment, Technology and Innovation) district.
The Escambia County Commission will consider the change request during its regular meeting on Thursday morning.
In January 2019, Escambia County acquired OLF-8 in a land swap with the U.S. Navy for property in Santa Rosa County. The county hired DPZ CoDesign to develop the best plan for OLF-8, and the firm presented four plans ranging from a commerce park-based concept to designs with a mix of commerce, residential and green space on the 500 plus acre site along Nine Mile Road in Beulah.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Comments
22 Responses to “OLF-8 Developer Asks Escambia County to Keep 171 Acres and Cut Price By $14 Million”
From the beginning of many negotiations with Navy, the purchasing of a new landing field and preping it for Navy demands and up to this date, I would like to have someone to tell us how much has been spent on this project. How many tax dollars
for us to be in a situation where the buyer wants to renegotiate and how much longer is OLF8 going to be a sore thumb;
Take ALL THE LAND BACK or none
County commissioners are a complete clown show! Glad i dont live in beulah
A deal is a deal. They agreed to buy all of the property.
NO there is not a negotiation after the final agreement.
They knew they would pull this from the get go. They want the best parts and leave the wetlands and all the infrastructure expense to the county@@ Anyone who votes for this new deal is in on it.
“I really don’t have the cash, please take back this land we can’t shove another 1,000 houses on ”
Probably.
This county is a joke now…. Sketchy deals, under the table transactions. The County has gotten so corrupt, they think they’re a big city. Only reason most of them get into local government is to see how much shady money they can make
Buyer’s remorse? More likely they’re wanting the prime property and dumping the poor developmental potential property back to the county at a premium price.
Take the Escrow and start over if they don’t want to purchase it all.
I heard from a very reliable source that it is highly probable that we will close this deal by 2043.
My cousin Vinny contract negotiations ! a counter offer ?
This sounds like BIG CITY “CORRUPTION”!!! Under the table kickbacks. There are plenty of qualified buyers – just start over!!!
Considering a former Pensacola mayor is one of the active members of the purchasing group, it proves my theory…in Escambia County it’s WHO you know…not WHAT you know…since the buyers reneged on the contract, cancel their contract and leave the 500 acres as is!!
I don’t live anywhere near that area, but I DO feel for those who do, especially after this development gets built. Even during the construction of it, the current traffic congestion will become much worse, due to construction vehicles, etc. Traffic on Nine Mile in Beulah is insane already. I don’t envy those living there. Nope.
That’s what the Escambia County Commission gets for removing an entire section of land out of Santa Rosa Counties tax base with no compensation.
This purchaser should not be allowed to choose what he wants to use at this point of the sale. They are trying to take the choice pieces and leave the rest for the county. This would be a bad deal now.
Surprise Surprise Surprise Escambia Country trying to do business with folks who can’t or will not fulfill their earlier promises.
The county listed for bid the entirety of the property IAW develop guidelines. Bids were placed and the county took the one it considered best. I am confused how they can legally change those guidelines, whether better or worse, without reopening bids to any and all. They should tell this developer no, give them to the deadlines to close under the original terms, and if that doesn’t happen, start the process over again. Anything short of that will stink of inpropriety.
Seems like shaky ground. Also wonder if there is enough $$$’s
In their kitty to start with. Keep it county bro’s you making money
And still own the property.
Escambia County Florida Board of County Comissioners is wearing OLF-8 around it’s neck like the old mariner wore the Albitross…
Is there No End to this Drama??
Keep the escrow moneys and extension fees . If developer can’t obtained financing which appears to be the case and will be by end date . List the property for sale again. Other companies could be brought to the table like Airbus in greater Mobile Al area or airframe and similar technologies firms in Okaloossa County Fl .
Why don’t we just pay the developer or is that his next deal . With our out of space commissioners the develepor will get what he wants . Big deal here and straight to the garbage can ! Expected !