School District should cut deal on Brownsville property

Friendship Missionary Baptist Church and its pastor LuTimothy May have been negotiating with the Escambia County School District to purchase the disused Brownsville Middle School property. The church, which has about 600 members, wants to renovate the building into a community centre to serve one of Pensacola’s most depressed and crime-ridden areas.

Sounds great, right? The School District gets some quick cash for a building that would otherwise sit unused, and the Brownsville community gets an invaluable resource. The deal has support from Linda Moultrie, the School Board member who represents the area, Pensacola City Councilwoman Diane Mack, and Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan, among others.

Unfortunately, though, the merits of the project and broad community support aren’t enough to convince Superintendent of Schools Malcolm Thomas. He’s holding out for a higher purchase price.

The building, which is damaged and would cost an estimated $1 million to renovate, was appraised at $1.7 million. The church has offered $1.02 million. Mr. Thomas’ response, quoted by the News Journal? “We’re getting close, but that’s too low for me.”

We find Mr. Thomas’ position to be disappointing, short-sighted, and unwise. The building has been up for sale for three years without purchase. It has substantial fire damage and is a haven for squatters and drug dealers. It could be replaced with an invaluable community centre which Reverend May envisions as providing pre-K and after-school classes, parenting programs, and more — yet Mr. Thomas wants to haggle over $600,000.

Perhaps Mr. Thomas, in his short-sighted commitment to get as much money as possible for taxpayers, isn’t aware of the incredible expense of prosecuting, incarcerating, and monitoring youth who resort to crime. The National Center for Juvenile Justice has estimated that a single lost youth can cost taxpayers between $1.7 million and $2.3 million. A community centre, which through education and mentoring could hopefully dissuade young people from taking the wrong path, has an immeasurable impact, financial and otherwise.

The May family has repeatedly demonstrated their commitment to Pensacola and the quality of the projects which they pursue. Theophalis May, father of LuTimothy and Lumon, helped preserve many of Pensacola’s historic structures, such as the L&N Marine Terminal, the Tivoli High House, the Dorr House, and many others. May’s Construction has for years improved neighbourhoods by renovating unsightly homes. Lumon, LuTimothy, and the rest of the May family are all involved with countless causes, charities, boards, and other organisations, the vast majority of which are entirely volunteer efforts. Put simply, they do not do anything halfway.

This Brownsville project has the potential to be a big win for a community that’s needed a big win for a very long time. This project could be a beacon of hope for those who otherwise have none. Superintendent Thomas should stop his grinchy, obstructionist attitude and give the Brownsville community an early Christmas present by signing off on this project.