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Monday, February 28, 2011

Two Designs Submitted for PCIP Welcome Sign Proposal

Which do you like the best?
Created by
-- Erik Mattson
www.seelevelgraphics.com
850.433.0903 850.433.0904 fax 850.433.0905
301 S. Adams St.
Pensacola, Florida
32502






Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Belmont-DeVilliers Venues Added to Black Heritage Guide

http://www.pnj.com/article/20110215/BUSINESS/102150320/Black-heritage-guide-spotlights-dozens-of-sites

From the Pensacolal Business Journal -- Feb 15, 2011

Visit Pensacola and the African-American Heritage Society have released a guide to black heritage in the Pensacola area.

The guide spotlights nearly two dozen stops featuring historic sites, churches, art galleries, cultural centers and restaurants.
Also included in the guide are tributes to notable blacks in the community, an explanation of the role blacks played in the city's founding and other facts about the area's 450-year history.
Visit Pensacola received a $1,250 marketing grant from Visit Florida to produce about 10,000 brochures.
The guide may be picked up at the Pensacola Visitor Information Center at 1401 E. Gregory St., or viewed online at http://www.visitpensacola.com/.

Download or print file here: http://www.visitpensacola.com/sites/visitpensacola.com/files/aaht-brochure-web.pdf

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

PCIP GRANT UPDATE FOR BELMONT-DEVILLIERS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

Preface: If you don't feel like reading this whole report, the bottom line is that we are looking for suggestions for the wording on a Belmont-DeVilliers welcome sign. It must have a reference to our music heritage, such as "Belmont-DeVilliers, Key Stop on the Chitlin' Circuit".

Now here is the report:

Dolores Curry and I (Ann Hill) attended the city's mandatory meeting for PCIP grant applicants on Feb 3.  (PCIP stands for "Pensacola Community Initiatives Program.")

The meeting was hosted by Edward Spears, neighborhood and economic development administrator,
and Helen Gibson, neighborhood coordinator.

Perhaps a dozen neighborhood associations were represented. Neighborhood associations are eligible to apply for a grant of up to $10,000 - but only those associations that did not receive money last year can apply this year. The applications are online or can be picked up from the City Community Development Office from 8 am to 5 pm Mon-Fri. (436-5655). Dolores and I each picked up a set of applications.

There are two application packets available, one for "association-owned" property improvements, which provide 50% of the cost of the project. The other is for "public property" improvements, which provide two-thirds of the cost of the project. The applicant can match the grant through cash, volunteer labor credited at $10 per hour, or through in-kind building and other materials/supplies or professional services at their actual cash value. The maximum grant is for $10,000, and we would need to match this 1 to 2 (our third to their two-thirds).

Only one project can be submitted. Deadline is April 4, with the awards announced in May, and a year to completion allowed.

At the meeting, we were told that there are additional funds that have been set aside for a "one-time only" project for landscaping and improving the streetscape on A Street from Main up to Maxwell. We were told that none of the affected neighborhood associations would have to forfeit their PCIP grant for this project. (This A St. project would involve Belmont-DeVilliers, Sunshine, Tanyard and North Hill neighborhood associations.)

Side Note: Dolores attended a special presentation on the A St. tree project on Feb. 8, where it was explained that present funding for this expansive project is limited, but that the funds would cover tree planting for that entire section of A St. The BDNA was encouraged to consider applying for a PCIP to enhance the tree project. Laying down sod was given as an example. Tree choices are crepe myrtle or oak.

Another suggestion that has been discussed at association meetings is welcome signs at key junctures of the Belmont-DeVilliers neighborhood. At the November meeting, Christopher Davis of the Clever Ogre marketing, 526 W. Chase St., and Matt Behnke and Erik Mattson of SeeLevel Graphics, 301 S. Adams St., took ideas for such signage. It was at that meeting that association member Neil Richards offered some of the historic bricks he rescued that were removed from Belmont Street to be used for the sign(s).

Dolores mentioned to me that Clever Ogre was going to give us an update on the signage at the next meeting. I offered to call Clever Ogre and See Level Graphics to see how the signage design is coming along. That particular signage project has not gone very far as yet, but Erik took down the requirements of the PCIP grant and will discuss the project with Clever Ogre and hopefully have a rendering for us at the March 2 meeting. A sign that large requires a good section of land, and Dolores suggested the state-owned center island on Garden St. at DeVilliers as one possibility. She encourages members to take a look at the Maxent Tract sign on G St. between Garden and Gregory.

A slide show of past projects at the PCIP meeting gave a sampling of various neighborhood signs that have been erected around town. I asked how much these signs cost, and Mr. Spears said $7,000 - $10,000, so if we go with a substantial sign, we might be limited to one sign this year.

At any rate, we hope you have a chance to think about whether you want the association to apply for a PCIP grant to underwrite a project. We'll need to decide at the next meeting to give us some time to fill out the detailed packet (estimates, volunteer sign-up sheets, in-kind materials all have to be documented). If you know a mason or other professional who'd like to put in a bid or volunteer labor, please let us know.

If you have questions or suggestions for the wording of a Belmont-DeVilliers wecome sign, let us know!

Ann Hill 432-9979
Dolores Curry 438-7614

Minutes of the Belmont-DeVilliers Neighborhood Association -- Feb 2, 2011 Meeting

 
The meeting was opened at 5:35 p.m. by President Dolores Curry. Attending were: Dolores Curry, Rosemary Kirkland, Dottie Dubuisson, Vivian Lamont, Diane Mack, Rev. Carl Reeves, Ann Hill, Neil Richards, Eddie Todd, Tony McCray, Danny Lewis, Reginald Dogan, George Hawthorne and guests Raela Villanueva with Students for Suicide Awareness, Kim Kimbrough of the Downtown Improvement Board and Councilman Brian Spencer.

Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

Rev. Carl Reeves said (1) the Pensacola Police Department will hold a series of Town Hall meetings, with the first one focusing on the area west of "A" and north of Cervantes Streets. The meeting will be from 6 to 8 pm on Tuesday, Feb. 8, at the Fricker Center,
900 North F Street
. The chief, divisional officers, mayor and others are expected to be on hand to address questions from the public. (2) The time for the second police surveillance camera demonstration was set for 1 pm on Wednesday, Feb 9 at the Police Dept. on Haynes.

George Hawthorne, diversity program advisor for the Gulf Coast African American Chamber of Commerce, thanked the Rev. Reeves and the chief of police for their support at the recent strategic planning meeting for Providing Avenues to Hope (P.A.T.H.). The Jan. 28 meeting was attended by more than 60 city/county officials/agencies, community organizations, community leaders, UWF and school district leaders and staff. At this meeting, there was a consensus that there is a need to galvanize the community and stimulate community mobilization to address violent crime, at-risk youth, gangs and community/economic development issues that affect Escambia/Pensacola. He said there will be another meeting in two weeks. For more information, contact Mr. Hawthorne at grghawthorne@yahoo.com or at the Gulf Coast African American Chamber of Commerce at (850) 433-0593.

A Pensacola News Journal article on Mr. Hawthorne’s offer to buy the old Brownsville Middle School was noted. The article in online at http://www.pnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011102030317 .

There was a brief discussion on the damaged graves at the Magnolia Cemetery owned by the AME Zion Burial Association and whether the city should step in to clean up these grave yards when they become havens for criminal activity.

Tony McCray, governmental affairs direction for IBIS Partners LLC, gave an update on the Gulf Coast Regional Equity to Achieve Prosperity (R.E.A.P.) summit set for March 17-19 at the Pensacola Hilton. He will be sending out an email-blast invitation to our members this week. He noted that Academy Award-winning actor Louis Gossett Jr., Ibis Foundation director, will be a speaker at the summit. Mr. Gossett stars in a new faith-based movie that will be released in theaters on Feb. 25. Gossett plays George Wright, a civil rights pioneer and long-time activist minister who provides wisdom and advice to Sam, his grandson. Mr. McCray also expects Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll to attend. Mr. McCray still needs an association logo and it was suggested that he contact Eddie Todd about this. Ms. Dubuisson suggested that a musical note should be part of the logo.

Guest Raela Villanueva introduced herself and said she became involved with the suicide prevention group after she lost her brother to suicide. The group holds open “escape sessions” from 6 to 9 pm on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at the Belmont Building. Attendees create artwork the first half of the meeting and talk the second half. The group holds two major fundraisers annually, one being the Seeds of Hope 5K Community Walk at UWF in November and the other a Survivors of Suicide Art Exhibit planned for April. Donations of any art supplies and cash to pay for materials on the warning signs of suicide are welcome.  She thanked the Rev. John Powell for allowing the group to meet at the Belmont Building. Ms. Villanueva was recently featured on WEAR-TV’s Angels in Our Midst. You can view this at http://www.weartv.com/newsroom/features/angels/videos/vid_101.shtml . Raela writes for Bella magazine and works for a catering service and can be reached at 554-1827.

Vivian Lamont gave a round-up of recent Belmont Youth Band activities, including performances at the Heritage Museum. Upcoming performances will be at Pensacola State College, a senior citizens organization and Festival on the Green set for April 1-2. Since the airing of the WEAR show, they have added 10 new students. Here is the link to Angels in Our Midst: feature on Angels in Our Midst:  http://www.weartv.com/newsroom/features/angels/videos/vid_187.shtml.

Dolores Curry suggested the Youth Band find a piano instructor, as she gets calls of people looking for pianists.

Neil Richards reported that the Pensacola aquarium proposal was pretty much tabled after one of the workers apparently disappeared with the petitions and misrepresented support from various government officials. He discussed the Hot Glass Cold Brew event set for 5 – 9 pm on Friday, Feb. 4 and the upcoming series of “It Takes Two” pottery workshops. Details at http://www.belmontartscenter.com/ .

Eddie Todd reported that the Community Maritime Park Associates (CMPA) is looking to use contingency funds to help pay for about $5 million in park enhancements. He noted that the Quint Studer family will contribute an additional $2 million to help pay for stadium enhancements.

Dottie Dubuisson discussed the free “Tones and Bones” open mic jam sessions that are held 7:30 to 10:30 pm on Tuesdays. The Super Suburban Charity Art Auction to support Catholic Charities will be held 6 to 10 pm Feb. 11. Ms. Dubuisson said the Studers had donated laptops to the center and that the required hazard inspection and contractors certificates have been obtained. The Friday night music jam has been discontinued for now.

Diane Mack gave a follow-up on the Philips Livable Cities Awards, noting there has been a delay on the announcement of the short list of winners. She will continue to monitor this.

Ms. Curry noted that Mayor Ashton Hayward will be at the opening of the Black History Arts Festival on Feb. 19.

The treasurer was unable to attend and there was no report.

Ann Hill discussed the two websites for the neighborhood, one established some time ago at belmontdevilliers.com and a new one developed by Ms. Hill and her daughter at Belmont-devilliers.com. The minutes of the meetings for the past year are now online as well.

Kim Kimbrough said that declining revenues forced the Downtown Improvement Board to postpone new projects that included the application for a national historic designation for Belmont-DeVilliers. He discussed the effort to develop an infill housing strategy that identifies vacant lots. Programs in a number of cities have been studied with the idea of creating a program for Pensacola. The next meeting on this topic will be March 16 at 8:30.

Councilman Brian Spencer said that he also has an initiative for addressing the need for infilling by treating it as a zoning issue. He noted that a Belmont-DeVilliers study found more than 50 percent of the property here is vacant lots. He is an advocate of the SmartCode template developed by a husband-wife architect team. A basic explanation of this changing mindset of land planners can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SmartCode .

Mr. Spencer is concerned about boards of education who abandon schools and then build new ones. The blight caused by these abandoned properties also concerns Mr. Hawthorne, who suggested increasing fines on school properties that are in disrepair.

Ms. Dubuisson said Bob Prine in North Hill has set up a community garden that has water on the grounds. Members are invited to participate.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Ann Hill
Secretary

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Businessman swaying investors to back old school renovation

http://www.pnj.com/article/20110203/NEWS01/102030317/1006/NEWS01/Businessman-swaying-investors-to-back-old-school-renovation

George Hawthorne hopes to persuade investors to back purchase

Erin Kourkounis • ekourkounis@pnj.com • February 3, 2011


George Hawthorne, the Chief Executive Officer of Diversity Program Advisors, Inc., has made a $1 million offer on the former Brownsville Middle School property the Escambia County School district has been trying to sell for the past two years. (Tony Giberson/tgiberson@pnj.com)


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Despite a lack of firm financing, Pensacola businessman George Hawthorne is confident he will make good on his $1 million offer to buy the old Brownsville Middle School.

Hawthorne, as CEO of Diversity Program Advisors Inc., signed a contract Jan. 17 with the School District to buy the abandoned school at 3700 W. Avery St.

With the goal of rejuvenating the crime-ridden Brownsville section of Pensacola, he hopes to turn the old school into a family resource center and to eventually sell some of the surrounding 8 acres of ball fields to Habitat for Humanity for a subdivision.

Hawthorne, who also is the majority owner of a construction company in Gulf Shores, Ala., said he's been talking to a number of local investors about contributing to the $1 million purchase price plus an additional $1 million to renovate the property.

He would not identify the potential investors or reveal if any have committed to help. He said his own company, located on North DeVilliers Street, would contribute a portion of the money, but he's not yet sure how much.

"I hope to pull that together in the next week to two-week period," he said. "I have to provide data and due diligence for people to make accurate decisions. I feel very confident about it at this point."

The School Board has delayed a vote on the contract from its Feb. 15 meeting until its March 15 meeting because the contract remains under legal review, Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said.

If the board approves the sale, Hawthorne will be expected to pay a $10,000 deposit immediately, according to the contract. The remaining $990,000 would be due within 30 days.

Thomas said he has not seen any specific funding sources for the purchase. But he said the method of coming up with the $1 million purchase price is an issue for Hawthorne, not the district.

"I hope he has the financial wherewithal to do what he's committing to do in the contract," Thomas said. "He approached us, he wanted to buy it, he has a plan and it's on paper.

"How he's structuring the deal, we don't get involved in that. I hope for the sake of the Brownsville community that it can happen the way he's describing."

Habitat for Humanity representative Dick Baker said the property would be an ideal location for Habitat homes so he, too, hopes the sale goes through.

Baker, a developer, was hired by Habitat on a short-term basis to help administer a $24 million grant from the national Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2.

Hawthorne's company, after buying the property, would hire contractors to develop the property into residential lots, Baker said. Habitat would then purchase the lots and build houses on them.

"We would be buying finalized, developed lots," he said. "If the financial plan he's putting together doesn't accomplish that, we wouldn't be buying lots. It's something he's got to handle. We sure hope it works because that's a wonderful location."

Studer said he would be willing to consider providing up to $200,000 if assets are pledged to ensure that the loan is paid back.

He also wrote that he would have to be "very comfortable" with the plan, "which would mean Pastor May's plans are part of the project."

In a return e-mail Tuesday, Hawthorne told Studer he was "getting major support" for the project and wanted to talk with him further about it.

He also said he'd talked with Gulf Coast Community Bank President Buzz Ritchie and told Ritchie that he might approach Studer about being "one of multiple guarantors in lieu of any cash."

Ritchie said Wednesday that Hawthorne wanted advice on seeking loans.

"My involvement will be trying to help him compile the right information bankers are going to need to review," Ritchie said. "But he's got a lot of paperwork to gather first. He'll need to put a loan package together."

Ritchie encouraged Hawthorne to go to several local banks to determine the best deal.

"I told him I thought if Habitat is going to buy those lots, there's a good chance there would be banks in town willing to loan him money," he said.

Hawthorne said he's convinced he can close the deal, but finding contributors is essential.

"I'm not giving up unless there's no community support," he said. "Financial and community support go hand-in-hand with a project of this magnitude. Without either one, it would make it very difficult for this project to maintain and sustain."


Church's lost opportunity

Behind the scenes, a bit of controversy is swirling around lingering hard feelings about a previous effort by the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church and its pastor, LuTimothy May, to buy the property.

Ultimately unable to raise the money for the purchase, May and the church abandoned their efforts last year. Contentious negotiations and disputes with the School District over the price and condition of the property preceded that dropped effort.

May said Wednesday the needs in Brownsville remain great.

"We support anything good happening to the community, he said.

But May regards Hawthorne as something of a Johnny-come-lately because he wasn't a visible supporter when May and his church were trying to buy the property.

"He wasn't one of the ones who said 'Hey, let us stand with you,' " May said.

But May said, "Maybe that sparked him to try to do what he's doing now. Maybe he can take the torch and actualize it."

Hawthorne said he wants May and his church to work with him on the project. But May said he does not, at this point, know enough about it to be a key partner.

Seeking Studer's help

Heath care consultant Quint Studer, who already has invested millions of dollars in development of the Community Maritime Park and the nearby Belmont-DeVilliers neighborhood, said this week that he is one of those to whom Hawthorne turned for support. He has not yet made any commitments.

E-mail correspondence between Hawthorne and Studer, provided by Studer, shows that Studer is interested in the project but is not yet ready to make a financial commitment.