Here’s a recap of our top stories from the past week.
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A new development project could bring up to 6 companies under one roof in West Nine Mile
A new shopping center called 9 Mile Plaza could be built on West Nine Mile Road if a project proposal is presented to the Escambia County Development Review Committee in late July.
The developers want to build a single-story, 10,400-square-foot building that will house several commercial businesses, as well as 38 parking spaces and a single access road leading to West Nine Mile Road.
The project’s proposed site is 2.31 acres, according to the DRC application, but only 1.51 acres will be destroyed. According to the project’s site plan filed with Escambia County, six rooms are currently planned to be created in the building.
Read more: New development project could bring up to 6 companies under one roof in West Nine Mile
Pensacola Bars: 6 of the Most Unique, From a Secret Tiki Bar to a ’70s-Style Arcade
USA TODAY released its first-ever list of USA TODAY Bars of the Year 2024 last week, featuring some of the best beach bars, dive bars and fancy cocktail bars across the country. The famous Flora-Bama on Perdido Key secured a spot on the list. But if you’ve lived in Pensacola long enough, you know there are plenty more weird and wonderful bars to discover.
From a retro arcade to a secret tiki bar in the sand, we’ve rounded up six of the most unforgettable bars in the Pensacola area to add to your local bucket list. Cheers!
Read more: Pensacola Bars: 6 of the Most Unique, From a Secret Tiki Bar to a ’70s-Style Arcade
Hard Rock unveils Reverb Hotel as part of planned Maritime Park project
Hard Rock International announced that its Reverb hotel brand will be part of the planned hotel and apartment complex in the Maritime Park community – one day before the Pensacola City Council approved the lease.
In a press release posted on PR Newswire, Hard Rock International announced that it, along with the Dawson Company, also known as Inspired Communities of Florida, will begin construction on the new hotel in 2026 and open it in 2029, although the City Council will not vote on the lease until Thursday evening.
Read more: Hard Rock unveils Reverb Hotel as part of planned Maritime Park project
Pensacola’s favorite food truck has been chosen. Find out who won here.
After nearly 4,000 votes cast, Pensacola has chosen its favorite food truck: The Smokin’ Jokers BBQ.
Last month, we asked our readers to nominate their favorite food trucks for another March Madness contest. We received nearly 800 nominations for about 80 food trucks in the area.
Among the 16 food trucks that made the cut, there were some fan favorites, some well-known Pensacola institutions, and a surprising number of newcomers. The latter, however, should come as no surprise to foodies.
Read more: Pensacola’s favorite food truck has been chosen. Find out who won here.
Affordable housing for veterans and low-income residents replaces old motor lodge
Pensacola on Monday approved a lease to build 84 affordable housing units on the site of the old Pensacola Motor Lodge.
The contract calls for 42 units to be available for active military or veterans, an additional 42 units for anyone with qualifying income, and at least five units for rental to homeless veterans.
All units are one-bedroom apartments. 15 units will rent for 30% or less of the area median income, 26 units will rent for 60% or less of the area median income, and 43 units will rent for 80% or less of the area median income. Rental rates are for the full term of the 99-year lease.
The Pensacola Community Redevelopment Agency voted 7-0 on Monday to approve the lease with Smith and Henzy Affordable Group.
Read more: Affordable housing for veterans and low-income residents replaces old motor lodge
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