Homebuilder D.R. Horton Offers $33 Million Cash For County’s OLF-8 Property On Nine Mile Road
February 12, 2023
A homebuilder has made a $33 million cash offer for the entire OLF-8 property owned by Escambia County.
Saturday, Escambia County commissioners received the offer for 540 acres on Nine Mile Road from D.R. Horton, including a promise $1 million to be held in escrow during an inspection period.
In January 2019, Escambia County acquired the 636 acre OLF-8 helicopter field in a land swap with the U.S. Navy for property in Santa Rosa County at a total cost of about $18 million. A portion of the property was previously sold to Navy Federal to expand their campus.
“It’s a big deal for this area, and we will be nearly $20 million to the good,” Escambia County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh told NorthEscambia.com on Saturday.
A design plan is in place for the property with a combination of commerce, residential and amenities. It allocates 271 acres to commerce and industrial; 61 acres to residential including duplexes, townhomes and multifamily; 47 acres to a mixed-use center such as residential over retail and office over retail; and 45 acres to trails and public amenities such as a post office, school, day care and community garden.
D.R. Horton said the company “intends to incorporate multiple commercial and residential uses into its future master plan. (D.R. Horton) intends to approach a third-party developer with regard to the development of the commercial parcels.”
“I say we consider it,” Bergosh said. “I want to hear from my counterparts at a meeting. With $6.5 million per district, you could do a lot of good stuff.”
The February 10 offer letter requests a response within 10 days.
Pictured: Images from the OLF-8 Master Plan accepted by the Escambia County Commission in June 2021.
Century Youth Learn About Robotics
February 12, 2023
Youth in Century were introduced to robotics during a program recently at the Wesley Chapel CME Church.
Last fall, we told you about how the Century Blackcats youth football program is looking to change their playbook from football to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education during the off season.
From Ozobots that can be programmed with colored lines to computer-coded Sphero Balls, the youth had a chance to try their hands at robotics.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Organizers hope to have STEM programs in place for the youth this summer.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Inmate Serving Life Accused Of Assaulting Century Correctional Institution Officer
February 12, 2023
Inmate Ibraheem Jackson assaulted an officer at Century Correctional Institution, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
“Staff responded appropriately, and the inmate was subdued,” FDC said.
Jackson is serving a life sentence out of Broward County for a 2015 armed burglary, in addition to a long list of convictions for grand theft, burglary and related charges.
He was transferred after the assault to the Santa Rosa Annex.
Lane Closures Planned This Week For Bridges On Highway 29 And Highway 97
February 12, 2023
Motorists can expect potential delays for routine bridge maintenance this week on Highway 29 and Highway 97.
According to the Florida Department of Transportation the work will take place as follows:
Highway 29 over Canoe Creek — Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures on Highway 29 over Canoe Creek between Roach Road and Whirlpool Road on Sunday, February 12 and Monday, February 13 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Highway 29 over Mitchell Creek — Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures on Highway 29 over Mitchell Creek, just north of Highway 164 and the McDavid Fire Station on Thursday, February 16 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Highway 97 over Little Pine Barren Creek – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures on Highway 97 over Little Pine Barren Crear, near Wiggins Lake Road, on Thursday, February 16 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m
The work is weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Bratt Elementary Students Enjoying Gaga Ball In New Pit
February 12, 2023
Bratt Elementary School students are falling in love with gaga ball.
The Bratt Elementary School PTA recently purchased a gaga ball pit for the students.
Dubbed a kinder gentler version of dodge ball, the game is played with a soft foam ball, and combines the skills of dodging, striking, running, and jumping, while trying to hit opponents with a ball below the knees. Players need to keep moving to avoid getting hit by the ball.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Extension Nutrition Educator Chinesa Sunday Recognized For 40 Years Of Service
February 11, 2023
Escambia County Extension EFNEP Educator Chinesa Sunday was recognized in Gainesville this week for her dedication, service, and outstanding work for 40 years at the University of Florida.
EFNEP, the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, is the nation’s first nutrition education program for low-income populations and remains at the forefront of nutrition education efforts to reduce nutrition insecurity of low-income families and youth today. EFNEP uses education to support participants’ efforts toward self-sufficiency, nutritional health, and well-being. EFNEP combines hands-on learning, applied science, and program data to ensure program effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gulf Breeze Tops Tate 77-64 For District Crown
February 11, 2023
The Gulf Breeze Dolphins claimed the 6A District 1 basketball championship Friday night with a 77-64 win over the Tate Aggies.
Lucas Williams had a game-high 21 points for the Aggies.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Dog Adoptions Are Free Through Valentine’s Day At The Escambia Animal Shelter
February 11, 2023
The Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare is waiving the adoption fees on all dogs in the shelter through Tuesday, February 14.
Adoption fees include spay or neutering services, microchips, heartworm tests and the initial vaccinations including rabies vaccinations. A separate $11 licensing fee will be required at the time of adoption for all county residents.
“We currently have about 90 dogs available at our Animal Welfare and Adoption Center” said Animal Welfare Director John Robinson. “We are confident we can help match you and your family with the perfect pet. You can see our available pets online by visiting 24petconnect.com and entering your zip code, or come by in person to meet our pets. If you aren’t able to adopt right now, we encourage you to become a foster or volunteer to help make a difference in the life of a pet.”
The Escambia County Animal Welfare and Adoption Center, located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive, is open weekdays from 12-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Dates To Know: Voter Registration, Candidate Qualifying For Century Special Election
February 11, 2023
The Town of Century has set a special election for town council seats 3 and 4. The special general election will be held on Tuesday, March 28. If three or more candidates qualify for either of the seats, a special primary election will be held on Tuesday, March 14.
The deadline for new registrants for the special primary election, if required, is Monday, February 13. The registration deadline for the special general election is Monday, February 27. New voter registration applications need to be postmarked or submitted to a voter registration agency by close of business on the day of the deadline.
Candidate qualifying will be held at the Supervisor of Elections Office, located at 213 Palafox Place in Pensacola, and will begin at noon on February 21 and conclude at noon on February 24. Candidates may also qualify at Century Town Hall, located at 7995 North Century Boulevard., on February 22 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Candidates must be registered voters within Century town limits. For complete qualifying information, visit EscambiaVotes.gov or call the candidate qualifying department at (850) 595-3900.
The polling place for the special general election, and the special primary election (if required) will be Century Town Hall, 7995 North Century Boulevard. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Anyone who wishes to request a vote-by-mail ballot should visit EscambiaVotes.gov and click “Vote by Mail” or contact the Supervisor of Elections Office at (850) 595-3900. The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is 5 p.m. 10 days prior to the election. To track your vote-by-mail ballot, visit Escambia Votes.gov/track-my-ballot.
Here Are This Week’s Traffic Slow Down Construction Spots
February 11, 2023
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing Between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – The two U.S. 29 northbound travel lanes and the center turn lane are closed between Hatties Boulevard and East Cottage Street. One northbound and one southbound lane will remain open using the current southbound travel lanes. The closures and traffic shift will be in place through April. Signage is in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The truck parking lot at the Escambia County Interstate 10 (I-10) Welcome Center, located at mile marker four, will be temporarily closed until summer when the Welcome Center improvements are complete. The front and middle car parking lots are open.
- Pace Boulevard (State Road (S.R.) 292) Resurfacing from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Drivers will encounter outside lane closures on Pace Boulevard, between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (U.S. 29), Friday, Feb. 10 through Friday, Feb. 17 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The closures will allow crews to perform paving operations.
- East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) Roadway Improvements from Chemstrand Road to East of Baldridge Drive – The bicycle lanes are temporarily closed to allow crews to widen the turn lanes and construct new five-foot bicycle lanes. In addition, the speed limit on this section of East Nine Mile Road has been reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles will share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete next summer.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Brent Lane (S.R. 296) to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, Feb. 12 through Thursday, Feb. 16 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway.
- Lillian Highway (S.R. 298) Resurfacing from North of U.S. 98 to East of Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727) and Lillian Highway at Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane and shoulder closures on Lillian Highway, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, Feb. 13 through Friday, Feb. 17 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Crews will be performing drainage improvements and erosion control operations.
- Navy Boulevard (S.R. 295) Resurfacing from North of the Bayou Grande Bridge to Gulf Beach Highway/Barrancas Avenue (S.R. 292) – Drivers will encounter outside lane closures on Navy Boulevard, from Barrancas Avenue to the Bayou Grande Bridge, Friday, Feb. 10 through Friday, Feb. 17 from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Crews will be working on curb and gutter and sidewalks.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road – Drivers may encounter lane closures at the Sorrento Road and Bauer Road intersection between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. as crews perform guardrail work. Flagging operations will be in place to direct drivers.
- Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Resurfacing from Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) to west of Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) – Drivers may encounter nighttime lane closures between Nine Mile Road and Beulah Road Wednesday, Feb. 15 through Friday, Feb. 17 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway.
- U.S. 29 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Canoe Creek – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures north of S.R. 97 Sunday, Feb. 12 and Monday, Feb. 13 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- U.S. 29 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Mitchell Creek – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures north of S.R. 97 Tuesday, Feb. 14 and Wednesday, Feb. 15 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- S.R. 97 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Little Pine Barren Creek – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures south of S.R. 4 Thursday, Feb. 16 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- Palafox Street Routine Bridge Maintenance over I-10 Overpass – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures just east of U.S. 29 Friday, Feb. 17 from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River - Construction crews have temporarily shifted eastbound traffic to the westbound bridge over Simpson River. The shift is expected to be in place through March 2023. During this time, there will be two westbound lanes and one eastbound travel lane using the westbound bridge. Due to the traffic shift, there will not be dedicated bike lanes on the bridge. Drivers are urged to use extra caution as they will be temporarily sharing the bridge with cyclists. Drivers are also reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- The median crossover at the intersection of Bayshore Road and U.S. 98 will remain closed to perform necessary road widening activities.
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road Sunday, Feb. 12, through Friday, Feb. 17, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- Drivers traveling along U.S. 98 in Santa Rosa County will encounter a road closure at Tiger Park Lane. This closure is necessary for emergency road repairs. Drivers are encouraged to utilize the west entrance and exit of the shopping center, closest to Walmart, or Tiger Point Park Road.
- S.R. 87 (Stewart Street) Routine Utility Maintenance near Lyons Drive – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Friday, Feb. 10 through Sunday, Feb. 12 for power pole maintenance.
- S.R. 87 (Stewart Street) Routine Utility Maintenance from Ridge Crest Drive to Julia Drive – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Tuesday, Feb. 14 through Thursday, Feb. 16 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for tree trimming operations.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.