Here’s a roundup of our top stories from the past week.
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A new development project could bring up to 6 businesses under one roof on West Nine Mile
A new commercial strip mall called 9 Mile Plaza could be developed on West Nine Mile Road following a project proposal submitted to Escambia County’s Development Review Committee in late July.
Developers want to create a single-story, 10,400-square-foot building that will hold multiple commercial businesses, along with 38 parking spaces and a single access road leading onto West Nine Mile Road.
The proposed site of the project is 2.31 acres, according to its DRC application, however only 1.51 acres will be disturbed. Their current plan is to create six spaces within the building, according to the project’s site plan filed with Escambia County.
Keep reading: New development project could bring up to 6 businesses under one roof on West Nine Mile
Pensacola bars: 6 of the most unique, from a secret tiki bar to a 70s inspired arcade
USA TODAY released its first-ever 2024 USA TODAY Bars of the Year list last week, tracking down some of the best beach bars, dives and swanky cocktail lounges across the country. Perdido Key’s famous Flora-Bama scored 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 explore.
From a retro arcade bar to a secret tiki bar on the sand – we’ve compiled six of the most memorable bars in the Pensacola area to add to your local bucket list. Cheers!
Keep reading: Pensacola bars: 6 of the most unique, from a secret tiki bar to a 70s inspired arcade
Hard Rock reveals Reverb hotel part of proposed Maritime Park project
Hard Rock International announced that its Reverb hotel brand will be part of the planned hotel and apartment development at Community Maritime Park − a day before the Pensacola City Council approved the lease.
In a press release posted on PR Newswire, Hard Rock International announced the company will break ground on the new hotel in 2026 with the Dawson Company, also known as Inspired Communities of Florida, and open in 2029 even though the City Council doesn’t vote on the lease until Thursday night.
Keep reading: Hard Rock reveals Reverb hotel part of proposed Maritime Park project
Pensacola’s favorite food truck has been determined. Here’s who won.
With almost 4,000 votes cast, Pensacola has named its favorite food truck — The Smokin’ Jokers BBQ.
Over the past month, we asked our readers to nominate their favorite food trucks for another March Madness-style bracket. We received nearly 800 nominations for about 80 food trucks in the area.
The 16 food trucks that made the cut included a few fan favorites, some well-known Pensacola institutions and a surprising number of newcomers. The latter shouldn’t come as a shock to foodies, though.
Keep reading: Pensacola’s favorite food truck has been determined. Here’s who won.
Affordable housing for veterans and low-income residents to replace old Motor Lodge
Pensacola approved a lease to build 84 affordable housing units on the old Pensacola Motor Lodge property on Monday.
The deal calls for 42 units to be available to active-duty military or veterans, an additional 42 units to anyone with eligible income levels, and at least five of the units to be rented to homeless veterans.
All units will be one-bedroom and 15 units will be rented at 30% of area median income or below, 26 units will be rented at 60% area median income or below and 43-units at 80% of area median income or below for the entire duration 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.
Keep reading: Affordable housing for veterans and low-income residents to replace old Motor Lodge
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola top stories: New Hard Rock hotel and unique bars
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