The Pensacola Bay Center Reimagined (PBC-R) Project is intended to revitalize and expand the existing entertainment campus to better serve residents, visitors, event partners, and the broader Northwest Florida region. The initiative seeks to modernize the existing facility, introduce new event and hospitality spaces, and evaluate additional multipurpose venues that support evolving market demands, regional economic development, tourism competitiveness, and long-term community objectives.
Escambia County intends to solicit qualifications from professional consulting firms with demonstrated experience in providing Owner’s Representative (OR) services and, when separately authorized by the County, Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI) services for the Pensacola Bay Center Reimagined (PBC-R) Project. Professional consulting services may be required throughout multiple phases of the project, including planning, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and project closeout. The specific scope, extent, and duration of services will be determined by the County based on project priorities, funding availability, implementation schedules, and the unique requirements of each authorized phase.
The selected Consultant may be required to provide a comprehensive range of professional services, including project management and oversight; planning and programming support; design coordination and review; procurement assistance; construction administration and oversight; CEI services, when specifically authorized; project controls; cost estimating, budgeting, and cost management; schedule development and monitoring; quality assurance; risk assessment and management; commissioning coordination; project closeout; and warranty administration.
The specific services to be performed shall be established through the Consultant’s approved scope of services and shall be subject to the County’s authorization for each applicable project phase.
The OR Consultant shall serve as Escambia County’s designated representative, acting solely within the authority expressly delegated by the County. The Consultant shall provide project management, coordination, and oversight services and facilitate effective communication among the County, Architect/Engineer of Record, construction contractor, subcontractors, testing agencies, utility providers, regulatory authorities, and other project stakeholders. The Consultant shall represent and protect the County’s interests by promoting adherence to the approved project scope, budget, schedule, quality standards, Contract Documents, and applicable regulatory requirements, while maintaining transparency, accountability, and effective project controls. The County shall retain sole authority over all contractual commitments, procurement actions, funding allocations, policy determinations, and other decisions not expressly delegated to the Consultant in writing. The Consultant shall not independently authorize changes to the project scope, contract price, schedule, or other contractual obligations without prior written approval from the County.
Project Description
Escambia County is undertaking a multiphase revitalization and potential expansion initiative known as the Pensacola Bay Center Reimagined (PBC-R) Project. The program is intended to modernize and enhance the existing Pensacola Bay Center and its surrounding campus, expand its operational capabilities, and strengthen its role as a regional destination for entertainment, tourism, hospitality, recreation, and community events.
The proposed program is anticipated to include renovations and modernization of the existing facility, with potential future development of a new multipurpose event center, additional recreational facilities, structured parking, and associated campus infrastructure improvements. The overall project is currently envisioned as three potential phases, as generally described below. The final scope, sequencing, schedule, and implementation of each phase will be determined by the County based on further planning and design development, feasibility evaluations, funding availability, operational priorities, and applicable regulatory approvals.
Selection of a Consultant for one phase shall not constitute a commitment or guarantee of selection or engagement for any subsequent phase. Each phase shall be subject to separate written authorization by the County, with its respective scope of services, professional fees, staffing requirements, deliverables, and schedule established and approved prior to commencement of work.
Phase 1 – Renovation of Existing Facility
This phase is anticipated to encompass renovations, modernization, and improvements to the existing facility and associated campus areas. The proposed scope of work may include, but is not limited to, the following:
Interior and exterior architectural, aesthetic, and functional improvements.
Development of premium event and hospitality spaces, including club seating, lounges, and restaurant areas.
Expansion and modernization of food and beverage concession facilities.
Construction of a stage pocket and associated back-of-house infrastructure.
Expansion or reconfiguration of lobby and concourse areas.
Development of an outdoor event plaza.
Associated building systems, accessibility, life-safety, operational, and site improvements identified during project development.
The final scope of Phase 1 will be determined by the County as project design, budget considerations, operational needs, and implementation priorities are further evaluated and refined.
Phase 2 – New Multipurpose Event Center (Subject to Financing and Authorization)
This potential phase contemplates the planning, design, and construction of a new multipurpose event center, preliminarily estimated at approximately 150,000 square feet. The proposed facility may accommodate a variety of functions, including conventions, exhibitions, sporting tournaments, graduations, banquets, ballroom events, conferences, meetings, and other large-scale indoor gatherings. The scope, size, configuration, and implementation of this phase remain preliminary and are subject to further evaluation, funding availability, and formal authorization by Escambia County.
The goals of this Event Center expansion project will be to deliver:
Large dividable Event Floor Space (185’x300’)
Pre-function and Spectator Facilities
Multi-purpose/Multi-sport Spaces
Conference / Exposition / Trade Show Space
Meeting Rooms
Ballrooms
Under-Building Structured Parking
The additional Service Area / Connector / Loading Dock expansion would include:
Event Operations Support Facilities for the entire PBC Campus
Commercial Kitchen (Preparation and Warming)
Dry and Cold Food Storage
Loading / Marshalling Area
VIP / Delivery Drop-off (secure and under-roof)
Small Meeting Rooms
Large Restroom Facilities
Create a physical, under-roof connection between PBC and Event Center.
The final size, configuration, functional program, and supporting infrastructure requirements of the proposed facility will be established through further programming, feasibility assessments, constructability evaluations, design development, and funding considerations. Implementation of this phase shall be contingent upon the County’s determination of project feasibility, availability of sufficient funding, and formal authorization to proceed.
Phase 3 – Optional Facilities (Subject to Financing and Authorization)
At the County’s discretion, future phases of the project may include the development of additional facilities and supporting infrastructure within the Pensacola Bay Center campus. Potential improvements may include, but are not limited to, the following:
New Ice-Skating Facility: A standalone ice-skating facility, separate from the existing tenant-scheduled rink, potentially incorporating concession areas, spectator seating, public restrooms, private event and party rooms, rooftop outdoor event spaces, administrative offices, and associated support facilities.
Structured Parking Facility: A multilevel parking garage designed to accommodate increased parking demand, improve campus accessibility, and support event operations. Preliminary concepts contemplate a five-level parking structure capable of accommodating approximately 1,300 vehicles, subject to further evaluation and design.
The necessity, feasibility, scope, configuration, and implementation of these potential improvements will be evaluated independently. Neither facility is guaranteed to proceed, and any future development shall be contingent upon the County’s determination of project feasibility, funding availability, applicable regulatory approvals, procurement requirements, and formal authorization to proceed.
Overall Project Vision
Collectively, the proposed improvements are intended to transform the Pensacola Bay Center into a modern, versatile, and integrated entertainment and event campus within walking distance of Pensacola’s Downtown Historic District. The overall redevelopment program is envisioned to enhance the facility’s ability to accommodate diverse entertainment, recreational, convenand community activities while promoting regional tourism, stimulating economic development, improving the visitor experience, and supporting the long-term operational and financial sustainability of the Pensacola Bay Center.
Escambia County, Florida, owns and operates the Pensacola Bay Center (PBC), an approximately 8,600-seat civic, entertainment, and community event venue originally constructed in 1985. For more than four decades, the facility has served Pensacola and the surrounding Gulf Coast region by hosting concerts, sporting events, conventions, graduations, and community programs.
As regional market conditions, event programming, patron expectations, and operational requirements have evolved, the existing facility requires significant evaluation, modernization, and potential expansion to su
