Capital Improvements
Capital Improvement projects include repairs, renovations, improvements and new construction for the Parks and Recreation Department. These projects are funded by Pennies for Progress (PFP) formally known as the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST).
In 1992 the citizens of City of Pensacola embarked on an ambitious plan of capital improvements by approving a one-cent Local Option Sales Tax to generate much-needed monies for projects designed to improve the quality of life for all citizens.
Since that time the Local Option Sales Tax has been renewed overwhelmingly by voters in both Pensacola and Escambia County. In the 17 years of its existence about $85 million has been generated for Pensacola alone from the Local Option Sales Tax and another $386 million for Escambia County. Of that total, about 34 percent is paid by non-residents of Escambia County, including tourists and our Florida and Alabama neighbors who shop or seek entertainment in Pensacola.
The funds generated by the Local Option Sales Tax, kept separate from other City monies and available ONLY for capital improvement projects, has been spent wisely on such things as $14 million in improvements to the City’s park and recreation infrastructure, including the Vickrey Community Center, the Cecil T. Hunter Pool, and the new clubhouse at Osceola Golf Course. The dollars that have accumulated from the one-cent tax also bought new police and fire vehicles, paid for construction of a state-of-the-art fire station, built drainage and stormwater projects, and made possible the laying of miles of new sidewalks.
Click on a location in the menu to your left to see updates of improvements to your parks and facilities.