Town hall Friday for Gulf Breeze and Pensacola Beach businesses hurt by Hurricane Sally

Rep. Alex Andrade, R-Pensacola, is hosting a town hall meeting for Gulf Breeze and Pensacola Beach businesses hurt by Hurricane Sally and the loss of the Pensacola Bay Bridge.

The town hall will be from 5-8 p.m. Friday at the Hilton Pensacola Beach.

Representatives from the Florida Department of Transportation, Gulf Breeze Mayor Cherry Fitch, Escambia County Commissioner Robert Bender and Andrade will be at the meeting to provide the latest information on repairs and to answer questions. 

How locals are helping:Gulf Breeze businesses devastated by Pensacola Bay Bridge closure

Many businesses in Gulf Breeze have been devastated by the loss of traffic through the town.

"It is heartbreaking to see these locally owned businesses, stores and restaurants kept on life support the last six months due to COVID and now suddenly see another six months of a complete standstill," Andrade said in a news release announcing the town hall. "There is almost no traffic driving through Gulf Breeze and Pensacola Beach, so if you have the opportunity to visit these communities, please do so."

FDOT's latest repair update on the bridge released this week still has the bridge opening to traffic by March 2021. 

Jim Little can be reached at jwlittle@pnj.com and 850-208-9827.