Monday March 12th, 2007 - 10:35PM

Friends of the Vince Whibbs Sr. Community Maritime Park
An update from Quint Studer

It has been almost 6 months since the historic vote and I wanted to give you an update on where the project is at. We have a fine board of trustees in place who are moving things along rapidly. If you are like me though you have wondered when you will see some dirt move down there.
While the dirt is not flying yet many huge strides are being made.

Here's the latest:


* Environmental work has begun including updating assessments for the site, planning for remediation and filling in the west side
bulkhead. The City has allowed the non-profit CMPA to leverage its contracts with environmental experts to expedite the process.

* Requests for Qualifications have been issued for the Firm to set the design criteria for the project. This group will lay the design standards out for the developers and will insure the Board's and City's vision are implemented in the park.

* Requests for Qualifications have been issued for Developers interested in the project. Interested groups to date include national developers who have done projects from $50 million up to $500 million. The quality of these developers is truly inspiring.

* The Covenant with the Community has been adopted and incorporated into each RFQ. Firms will have to state how they plan to involve the community and minority contractors in the project.

* The Contractor Academy plans are coming together under the leadership of Rev. Hugh King. Budgets are being developed and so many parties are stepping up to assist including the Escambia County School District, UWF, PJC and Workforce EscaRosa. Board member Susan Story has asked her Workforce Development Leader Jennifer Groves to get involved. With this depth of resources the Contractor Academy and Workforce
Development Program will be a success.

* The Board has also begun the search for an Executive Director. This individual is key to the success of the project and management recruiters are being enlisted to make sure this person is top notch.

These great accomplishments are laying the groundwork for a very successful project. With the great news regarding the relocation of the Sewage Treatment Plant and the creation of a new downtown music
festival, downtown Pensacola is on a roll. Thanks for all you do for our community and helping to take ourselves and our city to the next level.

-Quint

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