Dan Brown, superintendent of the Gulf Island National Park, gave an update on the ferry project that is partially funded through BP restoration funds. Alternative transportation studies concluded that a ferry service would be economically viable and had strong local support. The ferry will also be able to support itself.
2004 – 2005 hurricane season led to Gulf Island receiving 2.8 million to build a new ferry pier. Deepwater Horizon spill in 2010 resulted in 4 million in NRDA funding for ferry boats
Ferry service route and schedule -
Operator Provides
Ft Pickens shuttle service
Ft Pickens arrival and departure area
Development cost at Pensacola Departure Site
Pensacola Beach departure site – Escambia County submitting FLAP grant application March 2015
Financial Modeling – Projected financial viability for concession contract
Schedule
2004 – 2005 hurricane season led to Gulf Island receiving 2.8 million to build a new ferry pier. Deepwater Horizon spill in 2010 resulted in 4 million in NRDA funding for ferry boats
Ferry service route and schedule -
- Mid-March – October
- Daily during peak season, weekends in slower seasons
- 35-45 minute trips each leg
- 2 boats, clockwise and counterclockwise routes
- Minimum 6 departures and 5 arrivals each destination
- Scheduling flexibility to best serve customers
- Boats berthed overnight in Pensacola
Operator Provides
- Ferry operation
- Food Service (on boat and at Ft Pickens)
- Retail and rental at Ft Pickens (bikes, beach chairs, umbrellas, kayaks, paddle boards, water toys)
- Operation of Ft Pickens shuttle service
- Optional ferry excursions with the 3red boat (sunset cruises, firework cruises, dinner cruises, dolphin cruises)
Ft Pickens shuttle service
- Connect ferry to beaches, historic sites and campgrounds
- Solar powered electric trams
- Service integrated with the ferry schedule
Ft Pickens arrival and departure area
- Existing new ferry pier and shade shelter
- Adaptive reuse of historic structures for ticket sales, concessions and exhibits
- New restrooms, picnic shelter, bike storage and rental
Development cost at Pensacola Departure Site
- Landside – Site $222,000
- Landside – ticketing/building $589,000
- Waterside $896,000
- Design and Permitting $190,000
- Total $1,897,000
Pensacola Beach departure site – Escambia County submitting FLAP grant application March 2015
- Ferry slip extension
- Widen existing dock
- Handicap accessibility
- Shaded seating area
- Ticket kiosk
Financial Modeling – Projected financial viability for concession contract
- 60,000 passengers (range 36,000 – 95,000)
- Ticketing range: $15/adults, $10 to $12
- Revenue sources: Ticket fares, sales and rentals
Schedule
- BP/NRDA Settlement Funding Dec 2014
- Memorandums of Agreement – City and SRIA Summer 2015
- Ferry Design/Build Contract Award Sept 2015
- Ferry/Landside Concession Contract Nov 2016
- Departure sites construction completed Dec 2016
- Ferry Vessel and Shuttle Vehicle Delivery Jan 2017
- Transportation Start up March 2017