Pensacola starts Blount Junior High demolition

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - Exterior demolition of the former W.A. Blount Junior High School has begun, continuing Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward’s work to combat blight and clean up City neighborhoods.

Crews spent the last month removing asbestos and gutting the interiors of the two buildings at the site, which occupies the entire block bounded by Gregory, Chase, C, and D streets.

Heavy equipment arrived at the site Monday.

Vacated in 1982, the school buildings have fallen into disrepair and became a safety hazard and a haven for criminal activity. Determined to clean up the neighborhood, Hayward developed a plan last year to fund the purchase and demolition of the school using federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars.

“The City Council and I believe that all residents deserve clean, safe neighborhoods of which they can be proud,” said Mayor Hayward. “In order to compete for jobs and talent, we must invest in our neighborhoods and create a safe, attractive, and inviting city for people to live, work, and play. The demolition of the former Blount School is a great opportunity for a neighborhood that is full of promise and possibility.”

Since taking office last year, Hayward has taken steps to clean up the City’s streets and neighborhoods, enhancing code enforcement ordinances and taking action against owners who allow their property to fall into a state of decay.

Hayward’s proposed Fiscal Year 2013 budget would establish a $40,000 fund to provide rebates to owners of condemned or neglected structures who voluntarily pursue demolition. The City has also undertaken a number of streetscape and beautification projects, including on A Street, near the Blount School site.

To fund the Blount School demolition, the City is partnering with Escambia County, which has contributed $200,000 in CDBG dollars toward the project’s total cost of $466,700. Demolition work is expected to be completed by October.

Mayor Hayward and his staff are currently exploring options for the redevelopment of the property, including the establishment of incentives for the development of high-quality, mixed-income housing opportunities.