In the 1960s, the site was home to a dry cleaner and an automobile repair facility among other commercial businesses. The area and nearby community were in decline, many of the businesses had left, and the buildings were beginning to deteriorate. Finally, it was decided to demolish the crumbling structures. However, because of the existing perception and past history, no one was interested in redeveloping the area.

In 1998, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded Escambia County an assessment grant that allowed the community just outside of Pensacola to assess the environmental status of the site. Because of some existing arsenic and other contaminants, a Brownfields Site Rehabilitation Agreement (BSRA) was negotiated with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). Using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, the site was remediated.

240 tons of arsenic contaminated soils were removed. The remainder of other contaminations was resolved through engineering and institutional controls, and the FDEP issued a Brownfields Site Rehabilitation Completion Order (SRCO). Shortly thereafter, a developer was found who invested more than $600,000 into constructing an attractive new commercial building that provided an opportunity to create no less than ten new jobs. In addition to an improve neighborhood image, property values have increased and the community tax base has been expanded.

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