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Here’s Your Chance To Express Your Opinion About The Future Of OLF-8 In Beulah
July 28, 2020
The OLF8 Master Plan project team, led by DPZ CoDesign, has officially launched their website and Facebook page, and the team is ready for your feedback.
“This OLF-8 project is really a project for the entirety of Escambia County,” said Escambia County District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh. “We need citizens to bring their unique perspective to this project so that our planning team will have the best information to create something that really makes a difference in Beulah and Escambia County as a whole.”
The OLF8 Master Plan project is an Escambia County-driven initiative to turn the empty helicopter field by Navy Federal Credit Union Campus into a thriving asset for the community. The project team was selected by the Escambia County Commissioners to create a plan to maximize the opportunities for jobs and community uses on this 500 plus acre site in Beulah.
“Even though we are living in unprecedented times, that is no reason to sacrifice public input, especially on this project,” said team leader Marina Khoury, of DPZ Design. “With this website, we look forward to getting feedback from the community today, which will be very helpful for us leading up to our charrette week in September and beyond.”
At MyOLF8.com, residents can find many ways to not only learn about the project, but also how to participate as a citizen in the project planning. Learn about the team members guiding the project, read the project goals set out by the county and explore the ample opportunities to leave your own input.
“This is a really big project for Escambia County, so it’s important to us to know that the citizens will have plenty of opportunities to give their input,” said Terri Berry, Project Coordinator in the Natural Resources Management Department. “We’re excited to finally hear what the community has to say and what they want to OLF8 to be.”
The website contains an interactive online map where citizens can leave virtual “flags” with their ideas, such as what they would like to see at the location, or if they know something about the geography of a particular portion that would be of interest to the project team.
MyOLF8.com also has the ability to conduct public meetings, like charrette week, with a large virtual presence. Charrette week, which begins on September 21, is the team’s chance to sit down with members of the community to hear their concerns and their wishes for the project.
During the week, the design team will use that feedback to craft a plan for the site that creates the highest and best use for the community. At the end of the week, the team will have another large presentation where the public input-based plan is debuted. This week will also consist of smaller topic-based meetings to gather citizen ideas and feedback.
You can find the full schedule online.
Project managers said the new concerns over group meetings have pushed many citizen activities online, but with perhaps even better results.
“In the last few months, we have observed a larger virtual presence at other charrettes conducted and have seen promising results,” said Khoury. “It is our aim to be as inclusive as possible and we expect to receive more input online than we could have expected in person. The platform we are using will make it easy for anyone to leave a comment, and we will easily be able to track them.”
Comments
24 Responses to “Here’s Your Chance To Express Your Opinion About The Future Of OLF-8 In Beulah”
I appreciate the illusion that we actually have a voice in this, but Escambia county has, for decades, been trying to ship it’s less desirable aspects to our community. Starting way back with the county land fill, which now incidentally brings in refuse from anywhere, even out of state. Then they try for a hazardous waste transfer station. Where did that go? Then we are told they are trying to acquire this property on behalf of NFCU and Escambia county. Scuttlebutt was the credit union had purchased half for further expansion and the County was going to use the balance for an aviation based industrial park. What happened to this idea? Is it possible that they realized that this is no longer an area of simple people, just trying to survive in a world of profiteers? Pensacola has, for decades, existed with stagnant wages, property values, and plain poverty. Then they messed up. They brought in people with money. They now have to go about things differently. They need to appear to be more transparent. I have lived here for almost 67 years. This is getting harder every day. I wish I could leave, but property values are still not enough to make it possible. to
Completely understand the need for more technically oriented jobs which will contribute to the over all economic well-being of Escambia county but in addition would like to see a sizable portion of site 8 remain natural with provision for walking trails, playgrounds and picnic areas. In working for The military as a counselor for the Family Service Center at Whing Field, I have visited OLF 8 in the past. That said, I do not recall how much wooded area borders the acreage…if it is substantial, actual hiking trails and camp grounds would be wonderful for those of us who moved to Beulah due to our love of nature, and the peace it renders.
After listening to the meeting Last night it seems the Proposals for more residential was at forefront. More new homes are not needed with Infrastructure of Nine Mile road and Beulah road being the only access. Waiting in Traffic will only discourage people from coming into Beulah. Retail and Restaurants are what is needed for the Residents and to bring Profitable Commerce to the area. Also a Beulah Ballpark would be nice for all the Children that have been brought into community with the 3000 new homes that have recently been built and new neighborhoods currently being built
I believe Beulah has gotten enough new homes, we need some good restaurants and a shopping center. We could use a big park and walking trail. Like some of the rest I believe the minds have been made up allready, but we can try maybe someone will listen.
I would like to see more restaurants and shops in our area.
I believe this land should be used for a shopping mall (not a strip mall), and a nice restaurant (not a franchise). Maybe, if there’s room, a walking trail would be nice.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to express my opinion.
i would love to have a shopping center, restaurants, movie theaters, grocery stores, and a medical facility. if not, then a golf course.
Wow, so many negative comments! There’s nothing wrong with voicing your opinion, but damn have a positive attitude every now and then.
I agree with the idea of a playground, walking and biking trails….Maybe a disc golf course. Also what about a small shopping strip, and sorry Florida Man I’m not talking about another Dollar General! Something with beautiques, restaurants, and maybe a unique bar or two.
And lastly I’m not trying to kill anyone’s idea, but who uses libraries anymore? Maybe it’s just me, but anything that I ever went to the library for as a kid, you can now find on the internet.
Vote them out
If you can’t find anything that will be more utilized than a library then save you’re money.
I’m voting for a casino with a 24 hour brothel, and a Waffle House.
If we don’t voice our suggestions then we will never know if this was “already planned”. If they do not do what the people ask then that is when we use our votes to take these elected officials out of office. However, let’s give them a chance. I will certainly give my input and am hopeful that they will move forward with what the people want. Traffic is a huge problem. They need to take care of the infrastructure first. Adding the lanes they have are not going to be helpful with this type of growth. Make it a priority to also get the ramp to the interstate built on Beulah Rd.
nice news. thank you for shared every up to date news with us.
First- I totally agree that the decision(s) on how the land will be used has already been made “behind closed doors”, because- they are smarter than us. Secondly, if you do not speak up now, one of the “them” will claim that your idea was actually theirs, very publicly. Thirdly, the residents of that area should be asked and their idea’s used. Fourthly, I agree with what many have stated here already, to wit- a library, a LARGE established fire station ( show the residents and navy federal we are using or resources wisely), and preserve the remainder for public use- to wit- ball fields, recreational area’s, recycle drop off sites and others that surely someone else will elaborate on.
Having said all that, it is probably pointless, as “they” have already made the decision(s) and “they” want to get some type of kick back and then say “they” did it only to increase the tax revenue base. Just sayin’.
hell ya not enough traffic on 9 mile
This is where you see elected officials net worth grow with the decisions they make.
I also would love to have a library in Beulah. We have 4 large schools and no library. Thanks for the forum.
First build a new firehouse now add a ladder truck and pumper fire engine. and room to add
more trucks as needed. Now build a training facility for Escambia County Fire Dept’s.
Leave room for a new high school.
A greenbelt and a park with trees for all to enjoy.
Leave the wet land alone.
Let NFCU buy to land they want.
The County has the land so use it for the people.
We do not need another Industrial park.
This has already been decided.
blah blah blah. you think they will really listen to us! $$$ Mark my word and watch
Let’s face the truth here. Unless you have a few million dollars to throw at someone, then your opinion means squat! Those idiots elected or chosen to make the decision will do whatever suits the person who bought the most votes!
@Zack…. totally agree…something like Westgate that they have here in Dothan ..
I would love to have a Beulah community center attached to a library. I also think a walking/jogging trail encircling ball fields and a playground would serve all age groups. A large swimming pool for the community that could also accommodate competitive swimming events may also help bring economic benefits.
What a joke………..do you really
believe that they will listen to average
person ????
It the one with “big money” and “big” influence
that will be hear…………