Is something happening in Milton?

The Opening Line

Good morning! OK, not much is happening in Milton, but they do have some news about marina development, a waterfront restaurant, and more. This is likely pretty polarizing for those in Milton, and you can read more about it below.

In today’s line:

The Digest - We talk about Milton and a new project
Around Town - Events and happenings across the area
Local Businesses - Find your new spot
The Music Line - Who’s playing and where

If you own a local business and want to reach engaged readers in the Pensacola area, we offer section sponsorships. Just hit reply or reach us at [email protected]

- The Bay Line Crew

The Digest

There is not much in downtown Milton other than Boomerang Pizza, The Sweet Greek, and Brown Bagger Food Truck (all good) but the city has been working on several plans over the last year. If you have not been following this, here is the quick backstory. The City of Milton owns the marina property along the river and has been working to redevelop it into something bigger than just boat slips (pinned in the image below - just north of downtown).

In December, the city officially awarded the redevelopment proposal to Jones South. However, the deal is not finalized yet. Their legal team is still reviewing the term sheet, which is basically the framework of the agreement between the city and the developer. They are expected to have internal meetings before the March 10 city meeting, where we may hear more.

Here is the interesting part. The developer shared that the first phase would likely focus on residential. The idea is to begin cleanup of the site and start building housing while also improving the docks and working to secure the right restaurant operator. They have already hired an environmental firm to complete a Phase One environmental study, and it sounds like a Phase Two will likely follow. No timeline has been set yet for when those studies will wrap up.

You may have seen images floating around of townhomes. Residential development is part of the overall proposal, and townhomes were mentioned in meeting discussions. Nothing official has been released on number of units or pricing. The rough projection mentioned was that residential construction could be complete around 2027 or 2028, depending on approvals and cleanup.

So if this is the first you are hearing about it, here is the bottom line. The marina is being positioned for a significant redevelopment, but it is still in the negotiation and environmental study phase. The marina project also has a potential phase two RV area, and it is not clear in our research where exactly the residential townhomes would go. Within the proposal was also tent camping platforms, docks, and a walking trail on an island across from the Morrell Boat Ramp (East Milton). March 10 should be the next meeting to watch for updates.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They’re just the things you need to know. I’ll always let you know when something’s sponsored.

Around Town

Pensacola Youth Rugby Camp - February 28 - 11am-2pm - Hosted by the Pensacola Aviators Rugby Club and Fat Alberts Rugby. This is a free introduction to rugby for boys and girls ages 10-18. This will be non-contact. Ensley Park - 555 E Nine Mile Rd, Pensacola. Registration begins at 10:30 am.

Gulf Coast Renaissance Fair - February 28-March 1, and March 7-8- At Five Points Speedway. We have not been to this event but it looks like they are trying to have something for everyone with the standard Renaissance fair, Wild West round up, and Pirate Fest. It is a ticketed event. Looks like $20 (or $35 for the weekend) for adults and $10 (or $15 for the weekend) for kids.

Pensacola Ice Flyers - Dino Race Night - February 27, 7pm. If you haven't been this season this could be a great night to go.

Sun Belt Conference Basketball Championships - March 3-9 - at the Pensacola Bay Center in Pensacola, Fla. All 14 conference teams will compete in the single-elimination tournament, with the winner receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Herd and Harvest Market - March 14, 11am-8pm - Grand Opening Celebration - McFadyen Manor Homestead - 6586 Caroline St., Milton.

Resin Table Workshop - March 21 and 22nd, 1pm - Flip Flops on Palafox - $90 per student design and create your own custom resin side table.

West Florida Fire and Nature Festival - March 7, 9am-3pm - Family-friendly event at UWF Nature Trail that is designed to help kids and adults learn how prescribed fire helps protect forests, wildlife, and communities.

Rogers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma - March 13 and 15 - Saenger Theatre - Dance back in time to the American Wild West with Oklahoma!–a classic, feel-good musical that follows the blossoming love story between farm girl Laurey and charming cowboy Curly as they navigate rival suitors and the challenges of frontier life.

Arts, Crafts and Culture Festival - March 14, 9am-4:30pm - 4750 Willard Norris Rd, Milton, FL - arts & crafts vendors, food trucks, tours of Native American Cultural Center and Native American Roundhouse and traditional Creek stomp dancing.

Santa Rosa Beekeepers - March 19th, 6-8pm - March Meeting - 6263 Dogwood Dr., Milton. Jimmy Davis, the state apiary inspector, will share insights on the latest hot topics in beekeeping.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They’re just the things you need to know. I’ll always let you know when something’s sponsored.

Local Businesses

A few local businesses came to our attention this week and we want to share them with you.

Southern Raceway - The Joiner brothers, also known as Hunt the Front on YouTube, purchased Southern Raceway in Milton, Florida, in January. As the new owners, they have begun implementing upgrades to the facility, including track surface improvements and infrastructure repairs. They had their first race already and have the next one scheduled for March 7. 9359 Nichols Lake Rd, Milton, FL 32583. They are local and you can check them out on their YouTube channel. Now you have another option to see racing in the Pensacola area.

Waldo’s Chicken & Beer recently opened up on North Davis Hwy (where Tu-Do used to be). It’s a chill spot if you’re craving Southern fried or rotisserie chicken. They have scratch-made sides like cheddar biscuits and mac and cheese. They also have a game room with pool and arcades, and plenty of TVs for whatever game is on. They’re open 11 to 9 every day, and they even have a drive-thru if you're not feeling the sit-down scene. 7130 N Davis Hwy, Pensacola

All About Boba Cafe - They opened their first permanent shop in the Cordova area last month. It’s a cute Asian-inspired spot that’s perfect if you’re craving specialty boba teas or fruit sips. They also have some unique snacks like Taiyaki and Spam Musubi if you want a little treat with your drink. 6429 N 9th Ave, Pensacola