Community Maritime Park

The Community Maritime Park logo

The Vince Whibbs, Sr. Community Maritime Park is a project planned to occupy the 30-acre Trillium property on Pensacola's waterfront. It was developed by the Community Maritime Park Associates, 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.