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Park proponents argue that the 3,500-seat stadiums can be used for a number of outdoor activities, including concerts, graduation ceremonies and other sporting events, but critics dispute its "multi-use" capabilities.
===Maritime Museummuseum & research center===
:''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 classrooms & Conference Centerconference center===The [[University of West Florida]] will also host classes for its business and continuing education departments at the Park. Although
===Public Green Space green space & Waterfront Accesswaterfront access===
[[Image:CMP-GreenRendering.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A path along the ballpark's outfield wall connects to the waterfront concert green.]]
The entire southern end of the Park property adjacent to [[Pensacola Bay]] will be converted to a public concert green and waterfront promenade. Retired insurance executive [[R. K. "Skip" Hunter]] donated $1 million to the project in [[2006]] for the construction of a concert shell on the property's southeast corner.
===Mixed-use Commercial Spacecommercial space===
[[Image:CMP-WharfRendering.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Rendering of the shops and restaurants along the De Villiers Street Wharf.]]
Several buildings will be constructed on the northern end of the property, to be leased to third parties for retail shops, restaurants and other uses. These leases are expected to generate a large portion of the Park's revenue.
===Other Featuresfeatures===
[[Image:CMP-SpringStRendering.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Aerial rendering of the Park's Spring Street entrance and the property's eastern features.]]
The Park will also include landscaped gardens and fountains, gazebos, a breakwater and marina, and eventually a lighthouse, although rising costs have forced the development team to postpone these features until an unspecified time, when additional revenue enables a "Phase II."
==Background and Timelinetimeline==
The 30-acre [[Trillium property]], a peninsular lot south of [[Main Street]] roughly between [[Spring Street|Spring]] and [[De Villiers Street]]s, had been purchased by the [[City of Pensacola]] for $3.63 million on [[March 28]], [[2000]]. On [[May 31]], [[2001]], a [[Festival Park]] project was proposed by [[Bullock Tice Associates]] to occupy the site. The $40 million plan, which included a 16-acre public park, an $18 million auditorium (to replace the aging [[Bayfront Auditorium]] on [[Palafox Street]]) and space for future development, was approved by the [[Pensacola City Council]] on [[November 21]], [[2002]]. Initial work had already begun, including a massive concrete group called [[Citizens Against Trillium]] (which included [[Charles Fairchild]]) petitioned for a referendum on the project. On [[March 25]], [[2003]] the citizens of Pensacola voted to overturn the Council's decision and scrap the plan.
In late [[2004]], months after [[Hurricane Ivan]] devastated the Pensacola area, city leaders including City Manager [[Tom Bonfield]] and Mayor [[John Fogg]] met with [[Admiral Fetterman]] and others to discuss ideas about a possible "maritime park" project for the Trillium site. The [[Community Maritime Park Associates]] was formed and presented a preliminary proposal to the [[Pensacola City Council]], which approved the concept on [[January 18]], [[2005]].
==Criticisms and Responseresponse==
{{sectstub}}
In early June 2007, Governor [[Wikipedia:Charlie Crist|Charlie Crist]] vetoed about $2.5 million in state funds that had been expected for environmental cleanup.<ref>"Park money at risk." ''Pensacola News Journal'', June 7, 2007.</ref> In addition, dramatic [[property tax]] reforms enacted by the Florida legislature could cause a budget shortage that would force a reevaluation of the project.<ref>"Park money at risk." ''Pensacola News Journal'', March 11, 2007.</ref>
==External Linkslinks==
*[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]
==References=={{Comm-stubreflist}}
[[Category:Community Maritime Park]]
[[Category:Community Redevelopment Agency]]
[[Category:Parks]]