Fricker Center renovation sparks tension as Black residents tell city: We don't trust you

Yahoo

30-07-2025

More than 100 people packed into the Fricker Community Center early this week for an input meeting on the center's renovations, and a large contingent of that group delivered a clear message to the city of Pensacola: We don't trust you.
Several who spoke at the July 23 community engagement meeting in the predominantly Black neighborhood were full of fear and concern that the renovations of the Fricker Center would lead to more gentrification and even the closing of the nearby public housing complex Attucks Court.
The meeting was publicly live-streamed on Facebook by multiple attendees.
What is planned for the Fricker Center?
Pensacola has $9.5 million in state grants to fund a renovation of The Fricker Center. The first grant was awarded in 2023 as part of the Hurricane Sally Infrastructure Repair Program, and a $4 million grant from the Florida Commerce Department.
The grants must improve stormwater infrastructure on the property, but will also upgrade the center's classrooms, restrooms, playground, kitchen facilities, computer lab, and add a senior center that will be a health education and outreach facility with Baptist Health Care.
The grant also calls for part of the building to be demolished and replaced with a two-story multipurpose space.
The meeting on July 23 was meant to get input and suggestions from the public on the project.
Loss of trust with Black residents
The grants were some of the first won by Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves' administration, and Reeves has noted no previous city government has invested more in the city's westside than his administration, with the Fricker Center and efforts to create affordable housing on the former Baptist Hospital campus as two key examples.
However, it's evident from recordings of the July 23 meeting those investments have not translated into trust.
Pensacola resident Gerald Graham said he was disappointed that Mayor D.C. Reeves was not at the meeting and believes the city has an ulterior motive with the project.
'The renovations of the building is fine,' Graham said. 'I'm cool with that; however, I know the city of Pensacola and the officials of Pensacola have an ulterior motive. There's something more behind it.'
He said he believes the city's gentrification is going to cross to the north side of Cervantes Street, and that Attucks Court will be shut down.
"Pensacola is changing," Graham said.
Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Tonya Byrd was the most senior city official at the meeting, and she said there are no plans to close Attucks Court, and the city doesn't control Attucks Court.
'We're not here to take Attucks Court from you,' Byrd said. 'We're here to improve this community center for this neighborhood.'
All public housing complexes are under the Area Housing Commission, which is made up of five members appointed by both the city and Escambia County, and one selected from the Tenants' Association.
Pensacola resident Jermaine Williams was not convinced and didn't trust those in office downtown.
'I've never seen the city of Pensacola dump $9 million into the Black community," Williams said.
Pensacola has seen a loss of Black residents in the last 20 years
While there are no plans to close Attucks Court, the anger expressed at the sense of loss of Black neighborhoods is reflected in real trends in local population data.
In the last 20 years, the city of Pensacola has seen a decline in the number of Black residents, according to U.S. Census data, while the overall population has remained between 51,00 and 56,000 over that time period. In 2000, the city was 30% Black, but in 2020 that number had fallen to 22.19%, a raw number loss of 5,034 people.
The number of Black residents in the Escambia County communities immediately surrounding the city limits – like Myrtle Grove, Bellview and Ferry Pass – has seen a corresponding growth in the share of Black residents.
Census estimates show that the number is continuing to decline, with the most recent 2023 estimate at 21.2%.
Another meeting at the Fricker Center is planned for July 31 at 6:30 p.m.
Pensacola spokesperson Dominque Epps said Interim Parks and Recreation Director Kerry Shanaghan will be in attendance.
The mayor and City Councilman Delarian Wiggins, who represents the area, will also hold a general town hall in August, though the exact time and location haven't been set yet.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola Fricker Center renovation sparks gentrification concerns
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