Project FAQ
Designing and expanding a park is a big deal—and lots of folks have a lot of questions, understandably. We invite you to review some of the most common questions we get below, and if you have one we haven’t answered here, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Why are we still talking about designing this park? Didn’t we already do that?
Great question! Upgrading the linear park, known now as Hollice T. Williams Park, has been discussed for many years. Here’s a quick breakdown of the project history:
- The 2004 Eastside Neighborhood Plan noted the park as an important project for the neighborhood.
- In 2010, a “Greenway Framework Plan” was commissioned, which set out several different uses for the park.
- In 2021, a 100% park design was created during the COVID pandemic, with limited community feedback. During the Mayors Institute on City Design (MICD) conference at Harvard University, a panel of design professionals agreed that more community engagement was needed to create a park that is equitable and better serves the neighborhood. Mayor D.C. Reeves agreed and decided to reset the design process.
Who is the team leading these efforts?
Based on the feedback from MICD and Harvard, Mayor Reeves and the City of Pensacola issued a Request for Qualifications in 2024 to develop a new comprehensive park plan. In late 2024, after a competitive process, the City engaged the current design team to create a cohesive park Vision Plan that focuses on safety, connectivity, inclusivity, equity, accessibility, and honoring the Lost Neighborhood.
This team is led by Geosyntec Consultants, an international environmental and engineering firm with a strong local presence of Pensacola natives. They are joined by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates (MVVA), a world-renowned landscape architecture firm, and Jerry Pate Design, a Pensacola-based firm that has designed several local landscape projects, including the award-winning Admiral Mason Stormwater Park. Impact Campaigns, also Pensacola-based, is leading the community engagement process.
Are you going to tear down / seize my house again? Where is the land for this project coming from?
No. This project focuses on improving flood control and other stormwater issues in the neighborhood and will only use publicly owned land or underused commercial properties for the expansion of the Long Hollow Pond. The study area includes the 1.3-mile Hollice T. Williams Park under the interstate, the Long Hollow Stormwater Pond, and a few nearby commercial properties the City hopes to buy at fair market value through collaboration with local property owners.
For those less familiar with the area, Hollice T. Williams Park spans from Wright Street at the south to Maxwell Street at the north, and from Hayne Street at the east to Tarragona Street at the west. Long Hollow Stormwater Pond is the area adjacent to the park from Moreno Street at the south to Jordan Street at the north, with the eastern border at the railroad tracks and the western edge following Guillemard Street, approximately. Click here to see a map of the project area. (Slide 7 from this deck. Looks like this:)
What stormwater issues exist in my neighborhood?
That depends on where you live. Residents of the Long Hollow neighborhood west of the railroad tracks often face stormwater and flooding issues during heavy rain. Even during regular rainfall, standing water collects on Jordan Street—often called “Lake Jordan” —and other nearby areas.
The Long Hollow Stormwater Pond collects rainwater runoff from over 1,500 acres in Pensacola and Escambia County. Storm drains and underground pipes direct the water into the pond, but during heavy rain, the pond isn’t large enough to hold it all. When it overflows, the pipes back up, causing major flooding. That’s why fixing these stormwater issues is a top priority for this project.
What updates are you going to make to my neighborhood? The park?
This project focuses on updates to Hollice T. Williams Park and the Long Hollow Stormwater Pond, including design recommendations for roads that intersect the park. There are no updates outside of the park boundary included in this project, but two key aspects about the project may interest residents:
First, the consultant team is conducting an Equity Gap Analysis, comparing the area around HTW Park to Pensacola and Florida using official data on air quality, health, park access, education, and more. This study will help inform recommendations for future improvements to the park and future projects in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Second, this design team is committed to connecting, engaging, and working with the neighborhoods around Hollice T. Williams Park and Long Hollow Stormwater Pond, as well as the former residents of this area displaced by the I-110 interstate’s construction in the 1970s. If issues arise in these surrounding areas that are outside the scope of this park design project, we will notify the City and encourage them to take action.
Where is the funding for this project coming from? What does the funding cover?
The City of Pensacola has secured several grants to support the initial design development and the first phase of project construction. Many of these grants are flexible and can be used for park features that serve multiple purposes. For example, additional trees and landscaping not only help absorb and filter storm runoff but also provide shade and a relaxing environment for visitors. The funding sources include:
- $25 million for stormwater and landscape improvements (CDBG-DR – Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery)
- $5 million for water quality improvements (NRDA – National Resource Damage Assessment)
- $5 million for pedestrian safety, lighting improvements, and landscaping (RCP – Reconnecting Communities Pilot Grant Program)
- $1.2 million for a multi-use path within the park (TA – Transportation Administration Grant)
These grants won’t cover the full cost of designing and constructing all of HTW Park. However, the City is creating a Vision Plan to guide future phases as funding becomes available. This plan ensures a clear roadmap for developing a cohesive neighborhood park over time.
Will you be commemorating the Lost Neighborhood somehow?
Absolutely. Over 50 years ago, the construction of I-110 displaced hundreds of families, businesses, and churches, erasing a once-thriving community in just months
While this project cannot restore that “Lost Neighborhood,” it will ensure it is not forgotten. Our design team approaches this work with humility, respect, and a responsibility and commitment to honor the past. We aim to create a beautiful, resilient, and connected park that reflects the neighborhood’s history and serves the community for generations to come.
What’s the timeline for this project?
The project design is on an aggressive timeline due to existing grant funding, but full park construction will take years as more funding becomes available. Current grants require construction to finish by the end of 2027, leaving limited time for community input, technical reviews, engineering, permitting, and construction.
As of March 2025, we expect to meet the 2027 deadline, with construction on the initial phase beginning in 2026. However, depending on funding, the Park Vision Plan that will result from this effort will likely be developed over the next 10-20 years. That’s why it is so important that you share your ideas and input now to help build the future you want for your family, friends, and neighbors—and for generations to come.
How can I get involved?
We’re glad you asked! There are several ways to get involved in this project. Follow us on social media to help spread the word about our work, attend community meetings, and talk to your neighbors to encourage them to attend, too!
Learn about these and other opportunities to get involved and sign up to join our mailing list at www.HTWpensacola.com/Get-Involved.
