THE UNDERHILL UPDATE
with District 2 Commissioner Doug Underhill
October 2016 Newsletter
MyEscambia.com/District2
Check Out the Latest Underhill Update Videos
The Underhill Update: Perdido Key
The Underhill Update: Leave No Trace
Collaboration Leads to Improvements on
Sorrento Road
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and Florida Department of Transportation have been working together to create a more efficient and safe driving experience for many Escambia County residents, specifically on Sorrento Road.
In July, traffic lights at the intersections of Sorrento/Bauer Road and Sorrento/Gulf Beach Highway were retimed, allowing for traffic to flow significantly better with less congestion. “When I found that the money had not been set aside for the four lane of Sorrento Road, I promised that we would do all that we could to implement incremental fixes to make Sorrento Road more efficient and safe,” Commissioner Underhill said.
Currently, construction is beginning at the intersection of Doug Ford and Sorrento. An eastbound right turning lane with an acceleration lane from Doug Ford onto Sorrento will help alleviate much of the current backup. Construction is expected to end spring 2017.
Thanks to the diligence of a District 2 resident, a southbound left turning lane onto Choctaw Avenue from Sorrento was recently approved by FDOT. The project is currently in the design phase. Once funding is approved, installation is expected to take between 18 and 24 months.
Earlier this year, intersection analyses were completed by the Florida Department of Transportation for both Sorrento/Innerarity Point Road and Sorrento/Bauer Road. The results concluded that there is a need for turn lane improvements to both intersections, with construction expected to begin in 2021 or 2022.
These achievements show that in order to move forward, we must continue the trend of collaboration. Great things are accomplished when the people, county and state work together.
Special Meeting Moves New Jail Forward, Tables Housing
During the Oct. 19 special board meeting, the county commission decided how the new jail will be funded, as well as the process for selecting a design build firm. Using bonds, LOST, FEMA and state funds, the jail will be larger, more efficient, modernized and most importantly safe for its inmates and staff. With much attention on the overall flow of the facility, there are plans for an expanded and enhanced infirmary to better meet the mental and physical needs of the inmates.
The process approved by the board for selecting a design build firm is:
- Selection negotiations committee meeting on the criteria requirements for qualification
- Approval of the Request For Qualifications, or RFQ, by the commission at the Nov. 7 meeting
- Advertise the RFQ for over 30 days
- The submissions go to the committee for vetting. The committee creates a shortlist, as well as the criteria for requirements for proposal
- Approval of the RFP by the BCC
- Direct the shortlisted entities to proceed to RFP
- The RFPs are received by the committee and reduced to three design build firms
A state housing program was also discussed at the same meeting. After concluding that there was insufficient time and outreach due to the state’s timetable, the commission voted to table the recommendation to commit $37,500 each for five proposed affordable housing properties under the October 2016 Florida Housing Finance Corporation’s State Apartment Incentive Loan, Tax Exempt Bond and Housing Credit Program cycle. The item is tabled indefinitely, so county staff can establish a full vetting process for such items. The tabling of the agenda item means that the developers will not be able to submit the "Local Government Contribution" form by the state application deadline of Oct. 20. Included in the tabled list of developments was the poorly received Meadowbrook Commons project in Myrtle Grove.
The motion and 4-1 vote allowed the board to make it clear that they are not against affordable housing, but that each commissioner needs time to do his due diligence and make sure that the community is properly involved. To view the special board meeting and others, please visit myescambia.com/ectv.
Cherokee Trail Sidewalks Community Meeting
The Escambia County Public Works staff will be hosting a public information meeting for residents in and surrounding Cherokee Trail at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8, at the Sherwood Elementary School Cafeteria located at 501 Cherokee Trail.
The meeting is an effort to interact with the community and inform them of the county’s plans to construct sidewalks from Mobile Highway to Apache Trail. Funded by the county’s Neighborhood Enhancement Program - Safe Walk to Schools, the project will provide a safe walking path for all residents in the area.
For more information, please contact Project Manager Leslie Sanchez at leslie_sanchez@myescambia.com or 850-595-1604.
DEP Awards Grant for Perdido Key Dune Restoration
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is awarding approximately $500,000 in grant funding to Escambia County for the Perdido Key Dune Restoration project. The project will plant native dune vegetation across roughly 20 acres of dune habitat along six miles of Perdido Key, restoring habitat used by the federally endangered Perdido Key Beach Mouse.
“We are pleased to partner with Escambia County to re-establish vegetation along the dunes at Perdido Key,” DEP Deputy Secretary Drew Bartlett said. “Restoration efforts like this help ensure continued protection and enjoyment of Florida’s unique natural resources and ecosystems.”
"This is a wonderful example of what we can accomplish through cooperation and collaboration," Escambia County Commissioner Doug Underhill said. "Perdido Key's beachfront property owners are the front-line stewards of the critical habitat and the dune structure that protects it. With this project, DEP and Escambia County are not only enabling the property owners to repair the harm done in the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon tragedy, but improving the resiliency of the island to natural disasters. Persistent efforts to implement 'intelligent stewardship' projects like this can delay the need for artificial beach nourishment, potentially permanently."
The Perdido Key Dune Restoration project begins 2.2 miles east of Perdido Pass at the Florida/Alabama state line and extends approximately six miles to the east. The restoration work will consist of planting native dune vegetation, such as sea oats, panic grasses, cord grasses, sea purslane and beach elder, approximately 20-60 feet seaward of the primary dune to provide a buffer and enhance dune habitat. In addition, gaps in existing dunes will be revegetated to provide a continuous dune structure. The project will be conducted in a way that minimizes potential disturbance to birds, sea turtles and other wildlife in the area.
Funding was received as part of an early restoration settlement to offset injury to natural resources from the Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill. As a result of the oil spill and related response activities, dune habitat in Florida’s Panhandle was adversely impacted. DEP and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in conjunction with select Federal agencies, are responsible for restoring the natural resources injured by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Cyclocross Pit of Carkoon
Cyclocross will be returning to Pensacola on Sunday, Oct. 23 at Lexington Terrace Park with Star Wars’ Pit of Carkoon as its theme.
Cyclocross is a multi-terrain, obstacle-filled, intense event for the whole family. The rain, sleet, or shine race allows you to push yourself to the limit while competing for prizes and bragging rights.
The inaugural West Pensacola biking event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 900 S. Old Corry Field Road. As it is one week before Halloween, there will also be a contest with a cash prize for the best Star Wars costume!
To register, visit www.usacycling.org/register.
Upcoming Meetings & Events
Workforce Housing Community Meeting
Escambia Central Office Complex
3363 West Park Place, Room 104
Thursday, Oct. 27
5 PM
Nov. 3 BCC Agenda Review, Public Forum & Regular Meeting
Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building
221 Palafox Place
Thursday, Nov.3
9 AM, 4:30 PM & 5:30 PM
Committee of the Whole
Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building
221 Palafox Place
Thursday, Nov.10
9 AM
Nov. 22 BCC Agenda Review, Public Forum & Regular Meeting
Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building
221 Palafox Place
Thursday, Nov. 22
9 AM, 4:30 PM & 5:30 PM
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