County Receives Increased BTC Offer Of $25 Million For OLF-8, But There Are Several Potential Sticking Points
May 17, 2024
Beulah TownCenter, LLC (BTC) has increased their purchase offer to $25 million for 290 acres of the county-owned OLF-8 property on Nine Mile Road.
After negotiations on the original BTC and partner Fred Hemmer offer of $22 million, they returned with the higher offer and revised contract language.
The county still has an offer on the table for local potential buyers Cliff Mowe, land developer, and Ryan Chavers, owner of a construction company.
“Additionally–I was contacted by representatives of a new interested party. This large development firm based in Alabama will be visiting the Pensacola area next week and I am told they are very interested in the OLF 8 property,” Commissioner Jeff Bergosh wrote on his blog.
“The OLF 8 sale/development issue is once again heating up,” Begosh wrote. “My hope is that we will soon be able to settle in on one of these offers and move this initiative forward. If we are able to sell the 290 acres at $25 Million–this will be an immediate $10 Million Dollar windfall for our LOST fund that will provide monies for badly-needed infrastructure projects district wide.”
Escambia County staff has provided commissioners with a summary of the increased BTC offer, including several possible sticking points.
“Bergosh said the commission will discuss OLF-8, including the latest offer, at their next meeting on Monday.
He wrote, “Folks on BOTH sides of this proposed transaction need to iron every one of these bullet points out prior to Monday so we are not, once again, trying to push a wet noodle up a hill on this. It is time to fish or cut bait–no more Kabuki Theater…..Produce a contract we (the BCC) can make an up or down vote on!”
The county staff provided commissioners with the following bullet points:
- BTC adds back/deletes much of what was deleted/added in the County’s previous draft.
- BTC increases the purchase price from $20,000,000 to $25,000,000.
- BTC increases the deposit from $20,000 to $25,000, with an additional $250,000 deposit upon approval of BTC’s preliminary site plan.
- There is really no situation where BTC will be unable to recover the deposit if the transaction does not close.
- BTC does not commit to build anything or adhere to the master plan prepared by DPZ CoDesign. Instead, it defers that issue to be resolved by a Master Development Agreement and Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions that will be negotiated after the Purchase and Sale agreement.
- BTC requires all development approvals ahead of closing and incorporated in the Master Development Agreement.
- BTC deletes references to the provisions, covenants, and other duties and obligations in the quit claim deed from the USA to the County; the quit claim deed from the USA requires the County to incorporate those references in subsequent transactions.
- The Agreement makes several references to warranties of title; the County cannot provide warranties of title by statute.
- The Agreement requires the County to pay the documentary stamp tax; the County is precluded from paying these by statute.
- The Agreement contains several provisions that require the County to indemnify and hold BTC harmless and pay its attorney’s fees in the event of default, breach, or other dispute.
- BTC requires the remedy of specific performance for breach, default, or otherwise refusing to pursue its obligations in the Agreement.
- The County would be required to pay all BTC’s actual damages (i.e., all out-of- pocket costs) if the County does not close.
- BTC requires the County to record a restriction on the County’s northern remainder of the property to light-industrial uses; the County would not be able to allow the use of the remainder for residential or retail purposes without the written consent of BTC.
- BTC requires a right-of-first refusal for the County’s northern remainder of the property.
- BTC adds back/deletes much of what was deleted/added in the County’s previous draft. BTC increases the purchase price from $20,000,000 to $25,000,000. BTC increases the deposit from $20,000 to $25,000, with an additional $250,000deposit upon approval of BTC’s preliminary site plan. There is really no situation where BTC will be unable to recover the deposit if thetransaction does not close. BTC does not commit to build anything or adhere to the master plan prepared byDPZ CoDesign. Instead, it defers that issue to be resolved by a MasterDevelopment Agreement and Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, andRestrictions that will be negotiated after the Purchase and Sale agreement.
- BTC requires all development approvals ahead of closing and incorporated in theMaster Development Agreement. BTC deletes references to the provisions, covenants, and other duties andobligations in the quit claim deed from the USA to the County; the quit claim deedfrom the USA requires the County to incorporate those references in subsequenttransactions. The Agreement makes several references to warranties of title; the County cannotprovide warranties of title by statute. The Agreement requires the County to pay the documentary stamp tax; the County is precluded from paying these by statute. (Section 10.2) The Agreement contains several provisions that require the County to indemnify andhold BTC harmless and pay its attorney’s fees in the event of default, breach, orother dispute. BTC requires the remedy of specific performance for breach, default, or otherwiserefusing to pursue its obligations in the Agreement. (Section 14) The County would be required to pay all BTC’s actual damages (i.e., all out-of-pocket costs) if the County does not close. BTC requires the County to record a restriction on the County’s northern remainderof the property to light-industrial uses; the County would not be able to allow the useof the remainder for residential or retail purposes without the written consent of BTC.
- BTC requires a right-of-first refusal for the County’s northern remainder of the property.
Bergoh said the commission will discuss OLF-8, including the latest offer, at their next meeting on Monday.
Jay Royals Win 1A State Championship, Their First In 54 Years
May 17, 2024
It’s been 54 long years, but a state baseball championship trophy is on the way back to Jay.
The Jay Royals are FHSAA 1A state champions for the first time since 1970 after a 6-3 win over Bozeman Thursday night in Fort Myers.
Ethan McDonald was 3-4 with a double and two runs at the plate for the Royals. Nick Baxley was 2-3 with a double and three RBIs, and Grayson Shehan was 2-3 with a double and two RBIs. J Lowery, B Godwin, and W Peaden each added a hit.
McDonald went for three and two-thirds innings for Jay, surrendering three hits and two runs while walking four and striking out five. Godwin was on the mound for three and a third innings, giving up three hits and one run, striking out four and walking four.
The Bucks were the No. 1 seed headed into Thursday night’s rain-delayed game and took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning with a double. The Royals recovered by scoring a run in the fourth and three in the fifth inning to take the lead for good.
Photos courtesy FHSAA for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Hosts Central In Spring Game (With Gallery)
May 17, 2024
The Northview Chiefs hosted the Central Jaguars in a spring football game Thursday evening in Bratt.
There were no scores kept as the two rural schools met in Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium as the sun began to set and a tractor plowed a nearby field. The fans watched a little football, cheered, and swatted gnats. For Northview, the cheerleaders did the usual “N-H-S” cheers, and the band played the fight song from the stands.
But for the young men on the field, it was a chance to see what they are made of, and for the coaches, it was a first look at the teams in advance of those scorching hot summer practices and those Friday night lights.
For game action photos, click here.
For pictures of the cheerleaders, band, and fans, click here.
“We’ve got a long way to go,” Northview head coach Wes Summerford said. ‘But we played well; I really like our intensity. I’m glad they embraced that; We were on kind of the verge of hitting all spring, and I thought we hit the intensity tonight. There were mistakes and we’ve got a long way to go, but it is spring.
“We are going to hit it hard in the summer.”
The Northview Chiefs will host Destin on August 23 before traveling to Opp and Freeport. They’ll be back in Bratt on September 13 to face Central again. Central’s schedule was not available at publication time.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECSO: Man Steals Jeep After Dropping Off Stolen Cadillac At Nine Mile Tire Shop
May 17, 2024
An Escambia County man has been charged with stealing a vehicle, ramming a storage unit at the Hadji Temple and stealing a second vehicle from a local tire shop.
Wendell Deon Thompson, 34, was charged with two counts of vehicle theft, fleeing and eluding, resisting an officer, fraud, and damage to property.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Thompson had stolen a family member’s Cadillac Escalade on Wednesday.
“While driving the stolen vehicle, he rammed it through a storage enclosure at the Hadji Shriners Temple, damaging the tire,” ECSO said, adding that he damaged a tire on the vehicle before driving it to the Firestone tire shop at 37 East Nine Mile Road. While at the tire shop, Thompson stole a black Jeep, deputies said.
Deputies quickly located the black Jeep at University Parkway and East Nine Mile Road, at which time Thompson fled. The vehicle was stopped by a quick PIT maneuver and Thompson refused to exit the vehicle.
He was taken into custody with the assistance of nearby citizens.
Thompson was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $24,000.
Tate High’s Taylor Fitzgerald Signs With Nichols College
May 17, 2024
Taylor Fitzgerald, a four-year member of the Tate High School cheerleading team, signed with Nichols College (Dudley, Mass.) this week.
Fitzgerald was a member of the 2024 FHSAA State Championship squad, a two-time FHSAA Regional Champion and three-time UCA Regional Champion squads.
A member of FFA, Taylor heads to Nichols College with a plan to study business..
Photos by Tate High School Yearbook and others for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bellozo Brilliant in 4-1 Blue Wahoos Win over Biscuits
May 17, 2024
written by Erik Bremmer
Valente Bellozo turned in a career-high 7.0 innings as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos reclaimed sole possession of first place with a 4-1 win over the Montgomery Biscuits on Thursday night.
Bellozo (W, 2-2) struck out eight batters and allowed only two hits, pitching into the seventh inning for the first time in his professional career and delivering his second quality start in a row.
The Pensacola offense was carried by the long ball, as Harrison Spohn opened the scoring with a solo homer in the third against Biscuits starter Logan Workman (L, 0-2) and Joe Mack added insurance with a two-run homer in the ninth. Left fielder Paul McIntosh also had a good night at the plate, going 4-for-4 with a triple.
Bellozo needed only 75 pitches to cruise through seven innings, exemplified by a rare three-pitch sixth inning. He did allow a run in the seventh on a Carson Williams double and a Tanner Murray sacrifice fly, but center fielder Jakob Marsee tracked down a pair of deep flyouts to preserve the Pensacola lead.
After Matt Pushard registered a scoreless eighth, Austin Roberts (S, 7) picked up the save in the ninth. The game ended on a lineout to McIntosh in left field that turned into a double play when Williams was doubled off first base.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series in Montgomery on Friday night. First pitch from Riverwalk Stadium is scheduled for 6:35.
Victim In Alabama May Day Shooting Identified As Century Woman
May 16, 2024
Family members have identified one of the three victims of a deadly shooting in Baldwin County last Saturday as a mother of four from Century.
Chiquita Ewing, 38, was a Century resident and employee of Century pharmacy, family said.
Eighteen people were shot , three of which died, during a gathering Saturday night in north near Stockton, Alabama.
About 9:30 p.m. Saturday, deputies with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of gunshots in the Stockton Community. The preliminary investigation revealed that local residents hosted a May Day event in an open field on Upper Bryant’s Landing Road. BCSO estimated that there were approximately 1,000 people attending this gathering.
According to witnesses, the event was peaceful until an argument took place, which led to at least one subject shooting multiple rounds into the large crowd. A total of 18 people were shot during this incident. Three of the victims succumbed to their wounds.
Investigators believe that there may have been more shooters and are following up.
“This is a tragic event that touches many lives in our community. We are working very hard to bring this case to a resolution, but we cannot make arrests or successfully prosecute the offenders without help,” BCSO said Sunday. Anyone with information is asked to contact the BCSO at (251) 972-8589, option 7.
Shoulder Closures On I-10 Near Highway 29 Begin Today For Storm Repairs
May 16, 2024
Drivers will encounter shoulder closures on I-10 near the Highway 29 exit beginning Thursday as crews reinforce, and repair shoulder areas impacted by recent storm.
During heavy rain on Monday, mud and debris blocked the outside westbound lane of I-10.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECSO Holds Memorial For Fallen Deputies
May 16, 2024
Wednesday, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office held the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony to honor deputies killed in the line of duty. The families and friends of those who were remembered gathered to place a rose on the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office memorial.
- Sheriff A. Cary Ellis – January 1, 1923
- Constable Mallory Williams – May 4, 1941
- DS Joseph Elmer Whitworth – April 22, 1954
- Constable WM. “Clint” Rigby – September 4, 1955
- Patrolman Roland Davis, Sr. – September 24, 1955
- DS Len B. Adams – June 16, 1958
- DS Joseph Mallory Gassman – January 30, 1966
- DS Charles Leroy Wilkerson – January 19, 1974
- DS Morley “Buddy” Ray – April 7, 1978
- DS Floyd “Doug” Heist – May 3, 1980
- CPL. Eric Byron Streeter – March 11, 1984
- DS Donald Ray Cook – December 3, 1988
- DS Sgt. Dennis Mathis – July 27, 1989
- Sgt. Roosevelt Walker, Jr. – May 22, 1998
- Lt. George Hura, Jr. – May 4, 2004
- K-9 Wolf – 2000
- K-9 Erny – 2000
Tate’s Bray Touchstone Signs Baseball Scholarship With Gulf Coast State College
May 16, 2024
Bray Touchstone, a standout player on the Tate High School varsity baseball team for four years, signed a full-ride scholarship with Gulf Coast State College (Panama City) this week.
Touchstone’s achievements at Tate include being named the FACA 6A District 1 Player of the Year, Pensacola Sports Baseball Senior Scholar Athlete, and earning spots on the FACA District 1 All-Academic Team, the West All-Star Team, and the PNJ Player of the Year (2023). He was also an All-Area First Team selection for two consecutive years, a member of the FACA 6A All-State Team for three consecutive years, and was chosen by Professional Baseball Scouts to attend the Florida Diamond Club.
Touchstone excelled academically as well. He was selected a member of the Tate High School Hall of Fame, consistently made the A Honor Roll, ranked in the top 5% of his graduating class, and received multiple FFA honors including the Greenhand FFA Degree, the FFA Chapter Rising Star Award, the Chapter FFA Degree, and the State FFA Degree. He also dedicated over 200 hours to community service, participating in Student Council, National Honor Society, FFA, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Photos by Tate High School Yearbook for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
