County Votes to Make Funding Molino Community Center A Priority

December 7, 2007

The Escambia County Commission approved requesting federal and state funds Thursday night that included making renovation of the old Molino  Elementary School a “first priority”.

It will cost an estimated $4 million to renovate the school into a community center. Thursday night’s vote will lead to the county seeking out both federal and state funding for the renovation. The vote did not obligate the county to renovate the building; it just affirmed that they will attempt to find funding sources.

The school closed in 2003 when the new Molino Park Elementary School consolidated Molino Elementary and Barrineau Park Elementary.

The school would transfer ownership from the Escambia County School District to the Board of County Commissioners under a plan that would allow the school district to use the Pensacola Civic Center ( a county facility) rent-free for 10 years for high school graduations. The school district currently pays $40,000 a year for use of the civic center.

Plans call for the school to become a community hub, possibly including a 5,000 square foot library, a museum highlighting Molino history, a small health clinic, a business incubator, renovation of the gym and one additional building for community events and private party rental along with other uses.

The school, which sits on nine acres along County Road 95A, first opened in 1939.

Pictured below: A 2006 aerial view of the old Molino Elementary School.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News