PNJ Headlines: Here’s what’s in the news Wednesday
See the restaurants, venues pitched for Maritime Park, what’s in store for old Barrancas Avenue, and new 100 Buffet opens in Wednesday’s news
- 3161 Olde Barrancas, a 16-unit luxury residential development will break ground Oct. 10. Each unit will offer 2,240 square feet and cost between $1.1 to $1.3 million per unit.
- Across from the new housing development, property owner Adam Medley intends to build a new boat marina with up to 122 boat slips, a fine dining restaurant, tiki bar and other amenities.
- In the past, the waterfront site was often used for commercial and industrial businesses. Some neighbors and business owners welcome the addition of both projects.
Retired pilot, boat builder and sculptor Robert Noguere has lived on old Barrancas Avenue near Bayou Chico for close to 30 years.
He has seen a lot of changes in the historic coastal community, which is a mix of cottages, established mid-century neighborhoods, commercial businesses, waterfront marinas and newer, upscale houses.
There’s still room for growth, though, and developers are planning new projects near Noguere’s home in the 3100 block of Barrancas Avenue that aim to highlight the area’s natural maritime history and entice visitors and residents with modern coastal living amenities.
Retired pilot, boat builder and sculptor Robert Noguere has lived on old Barrancas Avenue near Bayou Chico for close to 30 years.
He has seen a lot of changes in the historic coastal community, which is a mix of cottages, and established mid-century neighborhoods, as well as commercial businesses, waterfront marinas and newer upscale houses.
There’s still room for growth, though, and developers are planning new projects near Noguere’s home in the 3100 block of Barrancas Avenue that aim to highlight the area’s natural maritime history and entice visitors and residents with modern coastal living.
“I think it’s great,” Noguere said. “This area has just been, I don’t want to say neglected, but just unused so much of it. Just sitting here waiting for something good to happen.”
What’s planned for Olde Barrancas
One project is 3161 Olde Barrancas, a 16-unit luxury residential development. Each unit will offer 2,240 square feet of living space and the cost is between $1.1 million to $1.3 million per unit.
It’s being offered by Sotheby’s International Reality.
“This is going to be their first signature project in the Pensacola area,” said realtor JP Birdwell. “They’re pouring a ton of effort into it. They want it to be a huge success. They want people to know that they’re here. We’re just super excited to get the name out there.”
Developer Jane Birdwell and her business partner, Elite Construction out of Dallas, Texas, hope to break ground on the project Oct. 10.
“People will have this delightful view of the bay with that nice, southern breeze or they’ll have this incredible energy that happens with the marina,” Birdwell said, referring to another new development planned across the street. “As Adam (Medley) develops his plan, we’re going to wrap in slips or slip rentals or have a collaborative relationship.”
Across from the new housing development, property owner Adam Medley intends to build a new boat marina with up to 122 boat slips, a fine dining restaurant, tiki bar and other amenities.
It’s adjacent to where the old Bayou Chico drawbridge used to be before it was torn down when the new bridge was built nearly 30 years ago.
Back then it was mostly commercial, industrial and maritime businesses in the area, and when the bridge was demolished, it became a “desert.”
Birdwell says that’s all changing now and Olde Barrancas, with its rich history and craftmanship, is ready for a vibrant future that will enhance the existing neighborhoods, marinas and businesses.
“We believe that Olde Barrancas is going to become a destination,” Jane Birdwell said. “We’re going to have a sign some place that the commissioner helps us designate and it’s going to be, ‘Hey, come meet me for a drink at Olde Barrancas.’ You might not know what bar you’re going to be at or where you’re going to end up, but this will be a destination. And when people say, ‘I’m keeping my boat at Olde Barrancas,’ you’ll be like, ‘Oh, I live in Olde Barrancas, or I have my boat moored there.’”
Some neighbors, business owners welcome growth
Both properties are currently empty lots. In the past, the waterfront site was primarily used for commercial and industrial businesses and nearby neighbors, and business owners welcome the addition of both projects.
Melissa Johnson with Coastal Canvas of Pensacola is one of them. The business has been a part of the coastal community for 32 years.
“Everything they’re doing is just amazing,” Johnson said. “We can enjoy it in the native kind of way like it is now and to hear the stories of what it was like before is a whole other trip down memory lane, but it should be utilized.”
Phil and Patsy Kingry also live and work near the sites of the new projects. They have lived and worked in and around the neighborhood for decades.
“The original concept when the bridge was built and the drawbridge was torn down, there were a lot of pictorial drawings and everything and it’s just now coming into realization,” Phil Kingry said. “Jane and her group are kind of fulfilling something that’s been dragging on since the new bridge was built.”
Projects part of improving Warrington
Escambia County Commissioner Mike Kohler supports the projects. He represents the Warrington area and has been working to clean it up and improve the quality of life for people who live, work and visit the area, including Naval Air Station Pensacola.
“I’m excited about this,” Kohler said. “It’ll be a destination for people outside of downtown Pensacola and around here. It’s close and so you look at old and new Barrancas and it’s coming together.”
Robert Noguere knows the growth will bring changes, and he said with a smile that he hopes no one will complain about his huge, personal workshop where he is currently rebuilding a sailboat.
However, he says the new development is overdue.
“I’ve been through Hurricane Ivan and other storms, so I’ve seen major changes here, especially with the old fuel oil depot going away (at the site of the new marina), that totally transformed this area,” Noguere said. “I’d love to have a restaurant right here, and you know, I’m a boat guy, so I’m all for more marinas.”
