At Thursday night’s Architectural Review Board meeting, longtime historic preservation contractor Nannette Chandler delivered an impassioned appeal to protect one of East Hill’s remaining historic properties from potential demolition & unveiled a broader citizen-led preservation initiative aimed at safeguarding Pensacola’s architectural heritage.
Chandler, CEO of Chandler & Co. Construction & a specialist in historic home restoration for more than two decades, acknowledged the legal realities facing preservationists in rapidly developing neighborhoods.
“Developers coming into Pensacola aren’t necessarily doing anything illegal,” she told the board. “Under current land development code, this property could be completely cleared & rebuilt. But legality & wisdom are not always the same thing.”
The property in question, recently listed for $1.5 million, contains centuries-old live oaks and a perimeter wall constructed from ballast stone believed to date back to Pensacola’s early maritime trade in the 1500s.
Chandler confirmed she is exploring a potential purchase herself, though she emphasized that preservation efforts must extend beyond any single transaction.
“No matter what happens with this property, we need a framework that prevents these situations in the future” she said.
Chandler formally requested the board invoke a 60-day demolition moratorium as a “failsafe” while preservation options are explored. She also urged officials to recommend that City Council conduct a long-overdue resident survey in East Hill & Scenic Heights to gauge support for a light protective overlay, a measure she stressed would stop short of full historic district designation but could help safeguard significant structures and tree canopy.
“It’s been eight years since residents have been asked how they want their neighborhood protected,” she noted. “Many homeowners don’t even realize the historical significance beneath their feet.”
Beyond policy changes, Chandler announced plans to launch what she described as Pensacola’s largest grassroots preservation effort to date – a citizen-participation initiative to identify at-risk historic properties, pursue acquisition when feasible, & restore & maintain them long-term for community benefit.
“When people visit Pensacola, they come for its historic beauty,” she said.
“They’re not touring Nine Mile Road. They’re driving through our historic districts on the way to the beach. Those areas deserve stronger investment & protection.”
Chandler said she is prepared to shift significant personal & professional focus toward the preservation effort & invited residents to join via a sign-up distributed at the meeting, with additional details expected in the coming weeks.
“Preservation is a collaboration between builders, city leaders, developers, and citizens,” she told the board. “If we’re not aligned, we risk losing the very character that defines Pensacola.”
Residents who want to stay informed about the preservation guild launch and future efforts to protect at-risk historic properties can join the interest through the link below. More than 100 people have already signed up. Nannette and the organizers firmly believe the strength of the movement will depend on continued neighborhood engagement.
