What promises to be one of the most transformative large-scale commercial developments in Pensacola's history has cleared a major hurdle with the pending sale of the 540-acre property now branded as "Outlying Fields."
The $42.5-million deal, on track for an early July closing, involves Escambia County, which bought the former helicopter training field from the U.S. Navy in 2019 for $18 million, and Pensacola-based Chad Henderson Enterprises partnering with Alabama-based Tri-W Development.
Outlying Fields is adjacent to the $1-billion, 440-acre Navy Federal Credit Union campus that employs more than 10,000 people.
Tri-W and Henderson Enterprises were selected in 2025 as lead developers by Escambia commissioners, who spent years considering and ultimately rejecting several competing proposals.
During that period, residents in the surrounding Beulah community began objecting to development plans that called for a large-scale, job-rich commerce park.
As concerns by private citizen groups mounted, commissioners ultimately agreed the land should include a balance of mixed-use, residential, commercial, employment districts and dedicated nature preservation sites.
The final sales contract includes various protections to ensure the development follows the county's master plan while also allowing some land-use flexibility that favors developers.
Upon final closing, Escambia commissioners plan to split the $42.5-million sale proceeds among the five county districts with a focus on public works projects such as drainage, stormwater, affordable housing and fire stations.
The Outlying Fields' project development plan calls for the creation of five distinct districts:
The Town Center District is being described by developers as a "welcoming hub" and the community's "front porch." It will offer a mix of dining, shopping and public gathering spaces with walkable connections to the other four districts.
The Community District will offer residents extensive walking trails and scenic outdoor vistas while protecting adjacent woodlands, wetlands and wildlife.
The Residential District will be rooted in community, while offering "attainable" housing options for every stage of life and lifestyle.
Commerce & Services District is described as the "go-to destination" for dining, shopping and entertainment.
The ETI (Employment, Technology and Innovation) District, developers say, will be designed as a hub for jobs, training and innovation. The goal is to bring together "diverse industries and business ecosystems" that will complement and strengthen Northwest Florida's workforce and foster economic growth and diversity.
"Outlying Fields is more than just a development," says developer Chad Henderson. "It is a commitment to intentional job creation and a place with soul where the rhythms of daily life can come together.
"By blending commerce with community, Outlying Fields will fuel economic vitality, creating opportunities for businesses to flourish, communities to connect, and people to learn — equipping our region to thrive for generations to come." — By Carlton Proctor