$3 million price tag to remove I-110 off-ramp could limit future of Pensacola Bay Center

Removal of an interstate off-ramp that goes behind the Pensacola Bay Center was seen as a key project for improving the viability of the arena, but the price tag for removal may put it out of reach.

Early last year, Escambia County asked state officials to close the Interstate 110 Gregory Street off-ramp that loops on the backside of the Pensacola Bay Center, and last month, the county finally got its answer.

The Florida Department of Transportation responded that it had no objection to closing the interstate exit, but either the county or the city would have to pay the more than $3 million price tag to remove the roadway.

Commissioner Jeff Bergosh, who posted the FDOT letter to his blog, told the News Journal that, in his view, the price tag effectively kills the idea of the off-ramp being closed any time soon.

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"It's a much bleaker proposition the way it came back (from FDOT)," Bergosh said. "At least it is for my vote."

One of the biggest challenges with the Bay Center property is it is bisected by the Gregory Street off-ramp. Previous proposals the county has considered to replace the Bay Center all called for the ramp's removal from the property.

Escambia County Commissioner Robert Bender said there still may be a chance to move the idea forward. Bender said the county is seeking a request for a proposal to hire a consultant to evaluate the Bay Center and make recommendations for improvements.

"I'd like to see what their recommendations are, just to see if there's the present-day need for (the Gregory Street ramp)," Bender said. "And then maybe try to do next steps and maybe secure state dollars for removal."

Bender said the removal of the ramp would likely come down to a cost-benefit analysis of what its removal would bring to a potential Bay Center rehabilitation or replacement project.

"(We can) factor this in now that we know that we can proceed (with the ramp's removal), but we also know that there's a $3 million price tag with it," Bender said.

Bergosh said he believes the Bay Center could be improved to make it more attractive as an event venue. He said improving things like the acoustics of the building, renovating the restrooms and conference areas, adding a new ice plant or adding luxury boxes could go a long way in getting more use out of the building.

"I think we can get many more years out of it," Bergosh said.

Bergosh said he brought proposals to rehabilitate or replace the Bay Center before, but none have passed the commission. He said he believes the county has the money in the fifth cent of the tourist development tax.

County voters approved the first two cents of the tourist development tax in 1980 to fund the construction of the Bay Center, then called the Pensacola Civic Center.

"Pretty soon, we'll have enough that we can bond something," Bergosh said. "I'm not going give up on it, but it's kind of frustrating to bring it as many times as I've brought it and just always run into a brick wall because people are just very comfortable with the status quo. I'm not. I want to fix it and make it something we can be proud of."

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola Bay Center growth may be stunted I-110 off-ramp removal cost