Plaza de Luna in downtown Pensacola fully reopened to public after two years of repairs

Kevin Robinson, Pensacola News Journal
·2 min read

Plaza de Luna is downtown Pensacola is fully repaired and reopened to the public after sustaining damage from Hurricane Sally in September 2020.

Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson announced the completion of the repair work at a regular weekly news conference Monday.

"We expect to have fountains going very shortly," Robinson said Monday. "We've got electricity and everything else going, so very good to have that back. It's one of the repairs from Sally. I know it took a lot longer than any of us wanted, but we knew we were going to get there and we're happy to be there."

Located on South Palafox Street at the end of Palafox Pier, Plaza de Luna includes a life-size statue of Don Tristan de Luna, a splash fountain, concessions and historic markers.

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Partial reopening: Parts of Plaza de Luna reopen six months after Hurricane Sally

Jerry Lenox, of Pensacola, right, carries a fish back to his vehicle at the recently reopened Palafox Pier in downtown Pensacola on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022.
Jerry Lenox, of Pensacola, right, carries a fish back to his vehicle at the recently reopened Palafox Pier in downtown Pensacola on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022.

The waterfront areas of Plaza de Luna, Community Maritime Park and many other public parks were badly damaged in Hurricane Sally, which submerged parts of the city's waterfront in 4 to 5 feet of water. Robinson estimated in October 2021 that the city's waterfront had sustained around $20 million in damage that was uninsured.

Plaza de Luna was temporarily closed from Sept. 17, 2020 through March 3, 2021 while repairs were completed around the memorial monument, pier and park grounds.

Sections of the park such as the fountain and splash pad remained closed and barricaded while the city worked with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to obtain funding for the repairs.

The city launched another round of repairs in February 2022 with an estimated completion date of July, however the project ultimately stretched into late October.

"We've completed all of our repairs and very happy to see that back open," Robinson said Monday.

The plaza is a popular destination for people to fish, walk and enjoy the view of Pensacola Bay. According to the city, the splash pad at Plaza de Luna is closed for the season, however concession services and public restroom facilities are available daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at deLuna’s Chat & Chew Grill.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Plaza de Luna on Palafox Pensacola open after Hurricane Sally damage