As of Friday, we are excited to announce that the two historic homes will be donated, rather than sent to a landfill, providing they can be moved in time to another lot. Taco Bell has also pledged to plant 20 new native trees and to preserve six oak trees on site. The oldest live oak, in the attached picture, appears to still be in the path of the current drive-through according to tentative plans with the City of Pensacola. Taco Bell has reminded us that the latest rendering of the site plan is evolving, has not been finalized with the city, and is still a work-in-progress. We are very hopeful that the five recommendations in this petition will be met. If they can move the building to the corner of 12th and Cervantes, it would promote walkability, blend more with the existing neighborhood, set a standard for the Gateway to East Hill, and hopefully save the magnificent live oak that currently appears to be in harm’s way. Thank you, Pensacola and Taco Bell, for your continued support! **************************************** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: May 3, 2018 Media Contact: James Judge Tel: 813.279.8335 Mobile: 727.463.1295 Email: jpjudge@judgepr.com Local Taco Bell ownership listens to Change.org petition, plans to implement changes PENSACOLA, Fla. – The franchise owner, which will operate the Taco Bell that is planned to be built in the historic East Hill Neighborhood located in Pensacola, Florida, has heard the community’s recent requests, which were posted to Change.org, and is pledging to implement changes based on the feedback received. On Wednesday, Southeast QSR, a Florida-based small business, which operates several Taco Bell restaurants and is scheduled to develop the existing lots into a new Taco Bell, announced they are planning to implement the following changes, which were proposed by Teresa Hill, a Pensacola resident, on Change.org. In reference to preserving the existing homes on the property, Southeast QSR and the developer are working together to try to donate the houses to someone or some organization, that would be willing to relocate the homes and ensure their preservation. Additionally, as requested, six existing oak trees will be preserved. However, three oak, one sweet gum, one magnolia and three laurel oak trees will need to be removed, but they will be replaced with twenty new trees, which will help to make the property visually appealing and fit in line with the surrounding landscaping. The Taco Bell-style building which has been selected is called an “Explorer Lite”, and is meant to be the least visually impactful and will fit in most with the existing neighborhood. The developer is also planning to install a sidewalk to encourage foot traffic, while also setting the building as far forward as possible, with parking located in the rear as requested by the community. Lastly, every effort will be made to preserve the original bricks on 12th Avenue. If needed, two rows of bricks may need to be removed in front of the driveway only to install a concrete ribbon curb that will protect the remaining bricks. In addition, if removed, the bricks will be preserved and donated to the recipient(s) of the houses. “We are and have been actively involved in the Pensacola community for years and are trying to do our best to make sure we are good neighbors and stewards of this wonderful and historic neighborhood,” said Thaddeus Foster, Chief Operations Officer of Southeast QSR. “One way we continue to give back is by supporting local initiatives like the Armed Forces Families Foundation, where we recently helped to provide a new USO at NAS Pensacola Corry Station. Additionally, we are looking forward to hosting a block party for the community when the restaurant is completed and we hope to see everyone out there.” http://t.sidekickopen08.com/e1t/o/5/f18dQhb0S7ks8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9gXrN7sKj6v5dpCFN3LqZbzQK2YlW643Yt-4PCG5ff1XPnC-01?si=5116843841552384π=280691ac-4b90-4a2c-9e74-b8ea7c6db554 Virus-free. www.avast.com