With three years of downtown Pensacola successes in mind, the board of directors of the Downtown Improvement Board (DIB) unanimously voted today to extend the contract of executive director Walker Wilson for another three year term. Wilson, who was selected in 2020 from a competitive pool of 53 candidates, assumed the position on October 1st of the same year. Within his first six months, he steered downtown through the challenges posed by Hurricane Sally and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, while simultaneously reducing overhead costs by 5% and launching significant initiatives for the 44-block downtown district.

Chris McKean, co-owner of the recently renovated music venue landmark The Handlebar, has been appointed to the Downtown Improvement Board.

The Downtown Improvement Board has named Cailin Feagles Director of Operations and Events.

Bubble Alley, the popular public art display made up of thousands of colorful vinyl bubbles, will be taken down on January 17. The aerial display suspended over Intendencia Street between Jefferson and Tarragona was originally launched as part of 2022 Foo Foo Festival but became such a popular destination and “selfie” spot that the DIB made the decision to keep the bubbles up as long as possible. 

Nathan Holler, co-owner of The Dog House, a landmark Palafox restaurant and gathering place for nearly five decades, is the newest member of the Downtown Improvement Board.