Escambia Co. won't pay for parking garage

Escambia county commissioners rejected the idea of committing money to building a parking garage on Pensacola Beach.

On Dec. 13, Santa Rosa Island Authority Executive Director Buck Lee went before the county board to see if it would grant approximately $10 million for the structure. He was denied.

However, the board encouraged SRIA to pursue private industry to build the structure. The board will issue a Request for Proposal in outside markets to attract businesses to build the garage on property where the SRIA building is located, specifying that the administrative offices would be given space in the new structure.

John Peacock, SRIA board member, said building a parking garage is necessary to achieve one of the main goals of "Vision 2010," a consultant's recommendation, before 2010 arrives.

Jim Cox, a citizen, agreed, telling the board, "The last thing we need is another plan that gathers dust on a shelf."