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The '''Vince Whibbs, Sr. Community Maritime Park''' (often abbreviated to '''Whibbs Park''', '''Community Maritime Park''' or '''CMP''') is a project planned to occupy the 30-acre [[Trilliumproperty]] property on Pensacola's waterfront. It was developed by the [[Community Maritime Park Associates]](CMPA), initially comprised of Vice Admiral [[Jack Fetterman]], [[UWF]] President [[John Cavanaugh]] and [[Pensacola Pelicans]] owner [[Quint Studer]]. After the death of Admiral Fetterman, the third principal position was filled by Mayor Emeritus [[Vince Whibbs]]. , after whose death the position was again filled by Judge [[Lacey Collier]]. The plan, refined in public focus groups by urban planner [[Ray Gindroz]], includes a [[maritime museum]] and research center, a "multi-use" stadium for the Pelicans, a conference center, university classrooms, a large public lawn and concert shell, mixed-use commercial space and other amenities. On [[January 18]], [[2005]], the [[Pensacola City Council]] approved the plan by an 8-1 vote. Shortly thereafter, the political action group [[Save Our City]], led by [[Charles Fairchild]] and dissenting city councilman [[Marty Donovan]], started a petition to force a city referendum on the issue, hoping to overturn the council's decision. After a long and divisive campaign by both sides, the plan was approved by the voters of Pensacola on [[September 5]], [[2006]]. The twelve-person [[Community Maritime Park Associates]] board of trustees was selected both by the CMPA principals and by the [[Pensacola City Council]]. On [[April 13]], [[2007]], the board selected the architectural firm [[Caldwell Associates]], which had been involved in preliminary development, as its top choice to write the final design criteria.
==Plan Details==
[[Image:CMP-OverheadDiagram.jpg|thumb|right|Diagram of the proposed park]]{{sectstub}}===Multi-use Stadium===One of the largest (and most criticized) elements of the park is the stadium that will serve primarily as a home ballpark for the Studer-owned [[Pensacola Pelicans]]. When not in use, the outfield walls can be removed to connect the space with the waterfront concert green.
===Maritime Museum===
:''Main article: [[Admiral John H. Fetterman State of Florida Maritime Museum and Research Center]]''
The western side of the property will feature a 50,000 square foot maritime museum and research center. Conceived by the late Vice Admiral [[Jack Fetterman]], for whom it was later named, the $18 million museum will be funded half by private donations and half by the State of Florida's Alec P. Courtelis Matching Gift Program.
The museum's interactive, educational displays will showcase artifacts from Pensacola's maritime history. The [[University of West Florida]] will operate active research facilities in the areas of public history, underwater archaeology, marine biology and environmental science.
===University Classrooms & Conference Center===
===Public Green Space & Waterfront Access===
[[Image:CMP-GreenRendering.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A path along the ballpark's outfield wall connects to the waterfront concert green.]]
===Mixed-use Commercial Space===
[[Image:CMP-WharfRendering.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Rendering of the shops and restaurants along the De Villiers Street Wharf.]]
===Other Features===
[[Image:CMP-SpringStRendering.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Aerial rendering of the Park's Spring Street entrance and the property's eastern features.]]
==Background and Timeline==
==Criticisms and Response==
==Referendum==
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==Development==
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==External Links==
*[http://www.ci.pensacola.fl.us/live/pages.asp?pageID=6112 City of Pensacola website] - Official documents and CMPA Board minutes/agendas*[http://www.propensacola.com ProPensacola.com]*[http://uwf.edu/maritime/ UWF site for the Maritime Museum]
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[[Category:Community Maritime Park]]