TRAFFIC

$6.2 million John Sims Parkway resurfacing project

On February 7th, construction crews were supposed to begin work on a $6.2 million resurfacing project on State Road 20, (John Sims Parkway), from Edge Avenue to the west of Rocky Bayou Bridge in Okaloosa County. The project has been delayed a few weeks.

The 2.6 mile project also includes the following improvements:

• Constructing a grassed median west of Palm Boulevard.
• Widening the roadway in key locations to extend or widen existing turn lanes to improve traffic flow.
• Constructing a new sidewalk on the north side of S.R. 20, from the Oak Creek Shopping Center to Rocky Bayou Drive.

FDOT expects delays and alternating lane closures between 9 p.m. and 6.am. in a sustained pattern from Sunday through Thursday nights, once construction begins. Times and delays of construction may vary depending on weather.

No lane closures are expected during Niceville High School home football games or other special school events. The project is estimated for completion in early 2023.

PUBLIC INPUT

City of Destin seeking input from the community on various projects in the works

The City of Destin will host a public meeting to inform the community of the various planning efforts the Community Development Department is currently working on. This includes:

• The Land Development Code Update
• Harbor Capacity Study
• Mobility Plan
• Impact Fee Update
• Comprehensive Plan Updates

The meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 23^rd, at 5:30 PM, at the City Hall Annex located at 4100 Indian Bayou Trail. 

According to the city, this meeting is for the community of Destin, including but is not limited to, Destin residents, business owners, employees, property owners, community partners, service providers, and visitors. 

“Staff is seeking the greatest amount of input from the community and stakeholders to help guide the various efforts based on the community’s priorities, vision, and goals,” said Catherine Card, Public Information Manager for the city. “This meeting will help staff provide a better and more informative platform to share the benefits of the various initiatives and projects underway with the stakeholders.”

According to Card, there will also be an interactive presentation that will gauge the attendee’s knowledge of these efforts and garner input and insight on what matters the most to them. 

• The public may go ahead and take the survey online now by clicking here.
• The public may view the meeting at the following link: www.youtube.com/CityofDestin.

One or more members of the Destin City Council may attend the public meeting.

THE BIG MOVE

City of Valparaiso planning to move City Hall to the old Synovus building

Throughout the fourth quarter of 2021, the Valparaiso City Commission discussed plans to move the current city hall (465 Valparaiso Parkway) to the old Synovus building on John Sims Parkway. 

• This includes moving the Library and Police Department.

In June 2021, H&S LLC purchased the Synovus building for $1,000,000. According to the city, Huff Management offered to lease the building to the city for $10,000 per month for 30 years ($3,600,000).

• As part of the lease agreement, the city will be able to exercise a one-time purchase option after 10 years for $1.8 million dollars. 
• However, if the city decides to not purchase the property, the lease will continue for the remaining 20 years.
• The lease does not include any remodel costs that may be needed. 

Concerns were brought up during the various meetings on whether it was a “necessity” or a “want” for the city. Additionally, cost considerations for maintenance, upkeep, and renovations were discussed but no definitely numbers were presented.

Commissioner Christine Wasdin said that “every vacant lot in town is getting a house on it” and that the city will be “managing more things on a more esoteric scale.”

“It is a big monument to our town when you drive in and see that beautiful building,” he said. “Wouldn’t it be nice to have the city represented by a nice building instead of these World War II buildings that everyone remembers as a skating rink and bowling alley?”

The Commission voted 5-0 to move forward with the lease on November 17, 2021. The plan will be to move city hall, library, and police department to the new location. Chief Joe Hart says that moving the police department may be harder than the Mayor thinks. 

As for the library, the tentative plan is to put it on the 2nd floor of the building. The city will explore potential ADA grants to offset costs for an elevator installation, and find suitable contractors for the work.

Currently, there is no timeline on when the city of Valparaiso will get started on the remodel with no definitive cost estimates.

• As of today, the city has paid $30,000 in lease fees.

TRAFFIC

Should I-10 be widened? FDOT set to hold public hearing on widening from four to 6-lanes

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will hold a hybrid public hearing concerning the I-10 Widening Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Studies in Okaloosa and Santa Rosa Counties. 

• From west of State Road 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to west of County Road 189 (Log Lake Road).
• From west of C.R. 189 (Log Lake Road) to east of S.R. 85 (Ferdon Boulevard).

An informal open house will begin at 5:30 p.m. (CDT) on Tuesday, March 15, followed by a formal presentation at 6 p.m. and public comment period. There will be separate presentations and comment opportunities for the Santa Rosa and Okaloosa County projects.  

Citizens are strongly encouraged to register to attend the virtual hearing at www.nwflroads.com/virtualmeetings. Those who are unable to participate virtually may attend the hearing in-person at the Warriors Hall, 201 Stillwell Boulevard, Crestview, FL 32536. 

The hearing is being held to give interested people an opportunity to review the results of the studies to evaluate the widening of I-10 from four to six lanes and to provide input on proposed improvements. 

• Additional project information is available and can be viewed on the project’s website www.nwflroads.com/virtualmeetings.
• FDOT representatives will be available to discuss proposed improvements, answer questions, and receive comments.  

Draft project documents and other information depicting the proposed improvements are available for public review from Tuesday, February 15 through Friday, March 25 at Warriors Hall (201 Stillwell Boulevard, Crestview, FL 32536), Monday through Friday, during normal business hours. 

THE BOARDWALK

6th Annual Pelican Plunge Raises over $7,000 for The Emerald Coast Foundation

Saltwater Restaurants, Inc. presented a check to The Emerald Coast Foundation in the amount of $7,264.00 during the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce First Friday Coffee.

The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island hosted the 6th Annual Pelican Plunge on January 1st 2022. Over 200 participants came out on New Year’s Day to say bye to the past year… or 2 and plunged into the Gulf for 2022.

Year after year, the Pelican Plunge has grown to become a “must attend” New Year’s Day event for the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area.

“The event symbolizes more than a fresh start, it’s a way our community comes together to support our most valuable asset, the children,” said Misty Rae Ruthrauff, Director of Marketing for Saltwater Restaurants. “100% of the proceeds directly support the children of The Emerald Coast Foundation!”

The $7,264.00 check was THE MOST MONEY EVERY RAISED with the event.

“This huge success is directly related to The Emerald Coast Foundation’s board members, volunteers, and everyone who comes out to plunge on New Year’s Day,” she added.

👏👏👏

PUBLIC SAFETY

The new license plate readers to help solve crimes in Okaloosa County

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office begins using new technology to help solve crime in Okaloosa.

Seventy percent of crime involves a vehicle, according to the OCSO. The new technology system allows law enforcement to track vehicles involved in anything from a child abduction to a murder through the use of license plate photos.

The Flock camera system, which uses a subscription based payment system, is being phased in over time. The OCSO says that it’s “already proven its worth” in locating a missing endangered individual found in Panama City, finding the direction of travel of the subject of a Silver Alert, and locating a murder suspect.

• The system does not use facial recognition technology.
• Deletes its data every 30 days on a rolling basis.
• Does not sell data to third parties.

Sheriff Eric Aden says the crime-fighting tool will allow the OCSO to better network with surrounding police departments and Sheriff’s Offices which already have the technology in place, as well as agencies across the country, in fighting crime and boosting public safety.

For more information on the program, go to FlockSafety.com.

THINGS TO DO

The Weekender

February 18, 2022 – Wine and Fries Powered by Step One Automotive Group – $100 – View

February 18, 2022 – SWC Red Drum Classic IIII – View

February 19, 2022 – SERRV Fair Trade Market – View

February 19, 2022 – Kids and K-9’s Hosted by Step One Automotive and Subaru Fort Walton Beach – Free – View

February 19, 2022 – 3rd Annual Shrimp & Grits Festival – $11-$65 – View

February 19, 2022 – Mardi Gras Wine Tasting – $15 – View

February 19, 2022 – Viking Band Auction – $20 – View

February 20, 2022 – SERRV Fair Trade Market – View

February 21, 2022 – 10th Annual David Seering Concert: A Night at the Cabaret – View

February 21, 2022 – City of Destin State of the City – View

February 22, 2022 – 2/22 Two-Piece/Pure Bliss/NoCo/Consequence/ Blindfold Knife Fight: LIVE – View

February 25, 2022 – NWFSC Dual Enrollment Pre-Flight – Free – View