Pensacola top stories: Pineapple Express closes, 12-story apartment proposed

Here's a roundup of our top stories from the past week.

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Community Maritime Park apartment, hotel plans win preliminary support

A majority of the City Council seemed supportive of a proposed $150 million hotel and apartment development at Community Maritime Park, but the real debate will be next month when the council will dive into the details of the project.

The City Council voted 7-0 to approve a 30-day extension for Inspired Communities of Florida's option to lease the property, which will allow the council to vote in August on an actual lease.

Inspired Communities of Florida is partnering with EJ Smith Enterprises, the real estate development company owned by Emmitt Smith, to build a 240- to 280-unit apartment building and a 125- to 150-key hotel building.

Continue reading: Community Maritime Park developer gets a month to sell City Council on project

Beulah interchange project gets $240 million in state funding. When construction will start.

A long-awaited transportation project to alleviate traffic and accommodate growth near Interstate 10 in Beulah got a huge push forward with $240 million approved in state funding for the Beulah interchange. Sen. Doug Broxson confirmed the Legislature approved funding for the project during its last session and it was included when Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the budget.

“It's a big deal list, and the money's already been set aside, so it's not a matter of future allocations,” said Broxson, who worked with legislators to “move money” from several federal projects that had stalled to fund the interchange. “We're going to get $240 million to do the exchange. It's amazing and I'm proud to be part of it.”

Escambia County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh is also “pumped” about the multi-million funding allocation for the interchange. He represents District 1 where the project will be built. The Beulah interchange has been a priority for Escambia County since he took office and for years it looked like the project would not make it past the planning phase anytime soon. Bergosh credits teamwork among local leaders and Broxson’s persistence in securing the funding to get started.

Keep reading: Beulah interchange project gets $240 million in state funding. When construction will start.

Pineapple Express Hawaiian Grill to permanently close Barrancas Avenue restaurant this month

Pensacola’s Pineapple Express Hawaiian Grill is closing its doors permanently on July 26, according to a social media post from the company Wednesday morning.

The Hawaiian-style restaurant located at 1400 Barrancas Ave. made its debut in February.

“Thank you everyone who came and supported the business up to this time! We’ll update you more regarding the future of the business next month,” the Pineapple Express owners wrote in a statement.

Keep reading: Pineapple Express Hawaiian Grill to permanently close Barrancas Avenue restaurant this month

Pensacola must refund between $18M and $20M to gas customers, judge rules

Pensacola will have to repay between $18 million and $20 million in unlawfully collected natural gas franchise fees, a judge ruled Thursday.

Escambia County Circuit Court Judge Jan Shackelford ordered the city to return the fees plus interest to Pensacola Energy customers inside the city limits after ruling the city has been collecting those fees without legal authority.

City spokesperson Jason Wheeler said the city is reviewing the order.

"We are currently working with outside counsel to determine our next steps, which may include an appeal," Wheeler said. "Therefore, it would be inappropriate for us to comment any further."

The ruling came from a 2015 lawsuit that has been quietly circulating through the courts for the past nine years.

Keep reading: Pensacola must refund between $18M and $20M to gas customers, judge rules

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola top stories: Pineapple Express closes, 12-story apartment