There are two better options than the Greenbrier decision.
Option #1 and Option #2 are both better choices than a Greenbrier Extension for the following reasons:
Option #1 The High Bridge Directly Connecting East And West Campuses:
- The high bridge can be built from above without use of barges so is not as expensive as might be thought.
- This oldest option is the most dramatic, would be the most beautiful, and perhaps serve the function better than either of the other options. And an entrance in this area would be a Northern Campus Entrance leading off to the development property and to the west and would give the best dispersion of campus exit traffic. This exit would be about 1.5 miles from the South Exit and 3 miles from the East Exit giving better traffic dispersion.
- The open water of Thompson Bayou seems ignored by the University and the public and could be a dramatic recreational area in a beautiful setting with high bluffs. This is one of Pensacola's beautiful waterfront properties. Sports such as crew, canoeing and water skiing could be added to a developed Thompson Bayou Recreation Area.
Why was this Option #1 Dismissed? Option #1 would require a high bridge (to allow boat traffic) of 1500 feet in length at the 30 foot elevation level. I have heard (personal communication with former CMP committee members) this bridge was rejected because of high cost, but no actual cost estimates are available for comparisons of cost/benefit ratios. For proper decision making, this data should be available.
Option #2, direct access connecting East and West Campuses from near Building #10:
Bridge cost estimates and Economic Utility Function analysis is not available from Master Plan review for this option.
Bridge cost estimates and Economic Utility Function analysis is not available from Master Plan review for this option.
- The East and West Campuses will be contiguous and sharing complementary human assets will be much easier across contiguous borders.
- Limits police patrol problems of separate campuses.
- Expected lower Construction costs
- Direct East to West Access without leaving and reentering campuses.
- Limited traffic flow problems during construction.
- shortest bridging
- maintains contiguous properties
- higher campus aesthetics
- Option #2, if not built now, would most likely become a future need.
