Top stories of the week: Housing crisis, new restaurants and more, here's a look back
New development in both Escambia and Santa Rosa counties is the running theme this week with new restaurants and townhomes coming to the area. But it's not all sunshine and happiness. Here's a few of our best stories from the past week that are available to subscribers only.
Homes onboard NAS Pensacola have reached 97% capacity, which has forced retirees and Department of Defense employees currently living on base to look for housing elsewhere.
On the Pensacola foodie scene, anyone with a taste for baked goods can head over to Coastal Mini Donuts for, well, mini doughnuts. Yes, they are real and they are delicious.
Downtown boat slips: Downtown day-use boat plan grows to 56 slips. Some on council want housing money instead.
Holding Saudi government accountable: NAS Pensacola families seek help holding Saudi government accountable for Dec. 6 attack
Also on the subject of food, we finally know what will replace The Joint on Palafox — an upscale, authentic German dining experience called Bavaria.
Heading over to Santa Rosa County, Midway could potentially have two new residential developments that would bring a combined total of 300 townhomes to the area. Residents, however, are concerned about the impact of traffic.
Speaking of traffic, remember when Ron DeSantis announced the state was going to buy Garcon Point Bridge and lower tolls? That was nearly 10 months ago, but so far nothing has changed.
NAS Pensacola homes at 97% capacity, leaving no room for retired vets
You don't have to be destitute in Pensacola to be desperate these days. Sky-high rent prices are placing middle class households in fear of becoming homeless.
Karen Alexander, 66 and a disabled U.S. Air Force veteran, is one of many retired military veterans who rent homes on Naval Air Station Pensacola property who are learning they will not be permitted to renew their leases this year.
While on-base housing is reserved for active duty military members, retirees and Department of Defense employees can rent such homes if there is a surplus of available houses. But availability has run out.
Full story: 'It's just a free-for-all': Almost 300 more townhomes planned for U.S. 98 in Midway area
Welcome to Pensacola's newest — and cutest — mini doughnut shop
Full story: Pensacola's newest — and cutest — mini doughnut shop is now open
Whether you like your cake doughnut plain and simple or stacked 3 inches high with toppings, Coastal Mini Donuts on 1449 W. Nine Mile Road is letting customers decide with a customizable line of miniature doughnuts.
A fraction of the price (and the guilt) of a full-size doughnut, the made-to-order doughnuts start out at $.75 a pop and increase in price by topping and quantity.
Coastal Mini Donuts owner Tammy Tucker said you won't be disappointed as the combinations, like crowd-favorites key lime pie and strawberry cheesecake, are loaded with flavor.
Her husband, Kristian Tucker, warned you may want to taste one first before you make it all the way home.
German restaurant Bavaria to replace The Joint on Palafox
A new restaurant is coming to 10 S. Palafox St. in the next few months with contemporary German flare and a twist of Italian fusion.
If your first instinct is to imagine a German beer hall that feels like Oktoberfest on the daily, think again. The new downtown restaurant, which so far has been named Bavaria but is still subject to change, will not be limited to the Americanized take on German cuisine fixated on beer and brats. Instead it will be an upscale, authentic dining experience.
Full story: German restaurant Bavaria to take The Joint's place on Palafox in coming months
SVN Southland Commercial Broker Michael Carro, who has been working to find a new tenant for the space since the New Orleans-style restaurant The Joint's closure last September, said he thinks the Bavaria concept is unique enough to win over the people of Pensacola.
Developer planning about 300 townhomes in Midway area
The Midway area could become home to two more collections of townhomes after plans were submitted to the county to build almost 300 townhouse units over two separate parcels off of U.S. 98.
Both of the parcels are zoned for commercial use and Santa Rosa County's Zoning Board will be presented to the County Commission on May 26.
Full story: 'It's just a free-for-all': Almost 300 more townhomes planned for U.S. 98 in Midway area
Florida's effort to buy Garcon Point Bridge is ongoing, but slow going
Nearly 10 months have passed since Gov. Ron DeSantis announced he was moving to permanently lower the tolls on the Garcon Point Bridge and attempt to purchase the bridge from the bondholders who own it and transfer ownership to the state of Florida.
Full story: Almost a year after Ron DeSantis touted plan to cut Garcon Bridge toll, it's still $5. Why?
During the July 2021 announcement, then-Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation Kevin Thibault said the lower toll schedule would be implemented in the coming weeks.
But as of now, the rate still sits at $4.50 for SunPass holders and $5 for cash drivers.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Coastal Mini Donuts, Bavaria, NAS Pensacola housing: Stories of week
