TRAVEL

Okaloosa County approves $16.6 million baggage claim expansion at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport

The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners approved a $16.6 million expansion of the baggage claim area at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, marking a significant step in the airport’s growth strategy.

• The project will add approximately 14,724 square feet to the east end of the existing terminal and renovate 12,732 square feet of existing space, according to Tracy Stage, Airports Director for Okaloosa County.

“The Baggage Claim Expansion project at VPS is a pivotal project needed to keep up with continued growth,” Stage wrote in a memo. “The space, which houses rental car company customer service counters and inbound baggage claim, is the current pinch point inhibiting smooth airport operations.”

The expansion will double the number of baggage claim devices from two to four and increase passenger circulation space. The new claim units will be accessible 360-degrees around the carousel to spread passengers throughout the entire floor space and will be sloped plate units to increase capacity compared to the flat plate units.

The expansion project goes beyond just increasing baggage claim capacity. It will also double rental car office space, provide additional wheelchair and luggage cart storage, and relocate airline baggage storage offices. 

• These changes are expected to create space for future expansion of airside restaurant capacity, according to the county. The project includes upgrades to HVAC equipment for the additional space and increased emergency generator capacity to support both existing and new equipment. 

Furthermore, the existing baggage claim area will receive new finishes to match the expansion, along with the installation of overhead LED signs for the original claim units. Stage emphasized that the construction will be carefully phased to minimize disruption to ongoing airport operations, including maintaining baggage drop-off and rental car operations, while working around the active aircraft operating area to the south.

The board awarded a $14,567,777 construction contract to Rycon Construction, Inc., the lowest responsive bidder out of three. The company’s bid came in 17% below the engineer’s estimate for the project.

• “Rycon is new to the area and has an extensive background,” Stage noted. “They’ve covered all areas of construction in universities, healthcare, [and] airports.”

Additionally, the board approved a $1,071,064 contract with Infrastructure Consulting and Engineering, LLC for construction phase services.

Funding for the $16.6 million total project will come from multiple sources, including federal grants, passenger facility charges, and customer facility charges. The airport will contribute about $1 million in local matching funds.

“We’re excited to get this project going,” Stage said. “With the latest bid coming in very favorable with a qualified contractor, the time is now to begin expanding the east side of the terminal to better facilitate passengers traveling to VPS.”

Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel, whose district includes the airport, expressed enthusiasm for the project. “This is a wonderful project. It’s much needed. We have grown our footprint to the place where we’re bursting at the seams,” she said.

• Ketchel also highlighted the fiscal responsibility of the county, stating, “Our airport is paid off. We live within our means. And not only that, but we have saved money, not only at the airport, but we have it in the bank.”

Construction is expected to take 450 days to reach final completion from the notice to proceed. Airport officials aim to begin site work towards the end of this year’s peak summer travel season.

The project has been in the airport’s terminal layout plan for several years and is now the highest priority to address capacity issues. Stage emphasized, “This is absolutely in line with our master plan. This has always been a plan.”

COASTAL RESOURCES

Okaloosa County approves live-stream underwater camera installation at Okaloosa Island Pier

The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners approved a plan Tuesday morning to install an underwater live-stream camera at the Okaloosa Island Pier, offering the public a unique view of marine life off the Destin-Fort Walton Beach coast.

• The board voted to support a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Okaloosa County and Pier Resort & Development, which operates the Okaloosa Island Pier, for the camera installation.

Mike Norberg, Coastal Resources Coordinator for Okaloosa County, said the project originated from efforts to place a camera at the Beasley Snorkel Reef in early 2020. However, high installation costs and potential maintenance challenges led officials to choose the pier as an alternate location.

• “Existing infrastructure, including necessary network capabilities, will significantly reduce installation costs,” Norberg stated.

The camera system, developed by Fathom Ocean, features a 1080p, 360-degree pan-tilt-zoom camera housed in a self-cleaning underwater casing. It includes an automated mechanical wiper to remove sediment or algae growth on the viewing dome.

Norberg noted that the pier’s existing infrastructure allows for a nearly “plug-and-play” integration of the camera system. The live video feed will be available online and can be embedded into websites. It will also be streamed at the pier to educate visitors about local marine life.

“Our ecosystem around the pier is healthy,” said Pier General Manager Eric Brown. “It will be a great addition for the world to see all the diverse marine life that takes up residency and swims through for a visit!”

Similar setups have been successfully implemented at locations including Frying Pan Shoal Tower in North Carolina, Deerfield Beach Pier in Florida, and the McMurdo Oceanographic Observatory in Antarctica, according to Norberg.

• The project’s funding, set at $25,000, will come from the Tourist Development Department.

The board’s approval also authorizes future non-material changes to the MOU as needed during the project’s lifespan, subject to approval by the County Administrator and County Attorney, with due notice to the Board.

“We are excited about this opportunity with the Okaloosa Island Pier,” said Norberg. “This will provide a unique opportunity for locals and visitors to see the diversity of marine life around Destin-Fort Walton Beach from a different perspective.”

A MESSAGE FROM EGLIN FCU

Eglin Federal Credit Union opens new full-service branch in Freeport

Eglin Federal Credit Union (EFCU) celebrated the grand opening of its new Freeport Branch with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 11, marking its first full-service location in Walton County.

• The branch, located at 16970 US Hwy 331 S, is the Credit Union’s second location in Walton County and will provide convenient account access for more than 30,000 members living in the area.

“This year marks our 70th Anniversary, and we recognize we wouldn’t be here today without the loyal support of our members and community partners,” said Jerry Williams, President/CEO of Eglin Federal Credit Union. “We thank you for the trust that you have placed in our care.”

The new 4,400-square-foot facility showcases an open branch design with a member engagement area featuring interactive touch screen monitors. It offers a full range of services, including safe deposit boxes, a Coinstar machine, night drop, touch screen video tellers, and drive-thru ATMs.

EFCU has expanded membership opportunities to individuals who live, work, worship, or attend school in, and employees of businesses located within seven approved census tracts in Walton County.

• The credit union’s first Walton County location, an ATM/Video Teller Drive-thru in DeFuniak Springs, opened on July 18, 2023.

Williams also noted that EFCU was named the 2023 Large Business of the Year by the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce.

La Macchia Group served as the design/build firm for the new Freeport Branch, as well as for the recently-opened Pace Branch and an Operations Center expected to be completed this year.

COASTAL RESOURCES

Okaloosa seeks state funding for East Pass sediment design and permitting, aims to reduce erosion and dredging costs

The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners approved a request Tuesday to apply for state funding to design and permit an inlet management project aimed at mitigating erosion and reducing dredging costs in Destin’s East Pass.

• The county will submit an application to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Beach Management Funding Assistance Program for the East Pass Supplemental Inlet Sediment Excavation – Design and Permitting Project, according to Alex Fogg, Natural Resources Chief for Okaloosa County.

The grant request totals $320,000, with the county pledging to match that amount using Tourist Development Tax funds.

Fogg stated that the project’s goals include designing and permitting a sediment impoundment basin and channel widening. These measures are intended to create a cost-effective replenishing sand source to help combat erosion on adjacent critically eroded Gulf coast beaches and reduce the frequency of dredging the federal navigation channel.

“This project will help keep the pass deep enough for our fleet to access the Gulf while also providing a sand source for our adjacent beaches,” Fogg explained. “That means the City, County, and State won’t have to dredge the pass as often which saves money.”

The project builds on a study completed in 2022 that examined potential solutions. It will use advanced computer modeling to explore different designs for a sand-catching basin in East Pass. The project will also look at the best places for additional dredging and predict long-term effects on the coastline. These assessments will help planners understand how the project might impact East Pass and nearby areas over time.

• The project scope encompasses evaluating alternatives, designing the recommended basin option, and obtaining necessary state and federal permits.

“While this project from feasibility to design, and eventually construction, is taking the better part of a decade, the benefits will be long lasting and allow our community to effectively manage east pass for not only navigation but also restoration purposes,” said Fogg.

The project aligns with the Department’s East Pass Inlet Management Implementation Plan. Specifically, it explores the possibility of removing sand from areas outside the main navigation channel. This approach could provide additional sand for beach restoration without interfering with boat traffic.

The grant application will be presented to the Tourist Development Council for consideration on July 30, 2024, before submission to the FDEP by the July 31 deadline.

SPONSORED

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COASTAL RESOURCES

188-foot dinner cruise ship, 110-foot tugboat to become Okaloosa’s newest artificial reefs

The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners approved a contract on Tuesday for the acquisition, preparation, and deployment of two new vessels as artificial reefs off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach.

• The $740,000 contract with Coleen Marine Inc. will fund the transformation of the MV SPIRIT OF NORFOLK and MV SKIPPIN SUE into underwater habitats for marine life. An additional $42,000 was approved as a weather contingency, bringing the total potential project cost to $782,000. 
• Coleen Marine is the same contractor that is completing the final preparation and deployment of the NEKTON dive vessels back in June.

According to Alex Fogg, Natural Resources Chief for Okaloosa County, back in late 2023, County staff was approached with the opportunity to purchase the MV SPIRIT OF NORFOLK to deploy as an artificial reef.  

The MV SPIRIT OF NORFOLK is a 188-foot-long former dinner cruise vessel that was damaged by fire beyond repair. Similar to the fiery-fate of the SV CORDONAZO, the MV SPIRIT OF NORFOLK will make great marine habitat due to its size, complexity and vertical relief. The ship will provide nearly 40 feet of relief with a 16-foot mast, making it one of the highest-profile artificial reefs in the area.  

Following negotiations, a formal inspection was conducted in May 2024 and during that inspection a second vessel, moored next to the MV SPIRIT OF NORFOLK was identified as a potential reef. 

Due to mobilization and towing costs already being covered in the cost of the MV SPIRIT OF NORFOLK project, the cost of the second vessel, the MV SKIPPIN SUE was lower than similar vessel projects and it was determined that piggybacking this vessel on the existing project was in the best interest of the artificial reef program. 

The MV SKIPPIN SUE, a 110-foot tugboat, is slated for deployment in state waters less than nine miles offshore. Fogg noted that its lower profile makes it suitable for shallower depths in the nearshore artificial reef system.

• “These vessels will be ideal for scuba diving and fishing opportunities,” Fogg said. He added that the new reefs will provide essential habitat for numerous fish species, further enhancing Destin-Fort Walton Beach’s reputation as a premier fishing and diving destination in Florida.  This project will also provide a shallower and more nearshore fishing and diving option to complement a larger offshore artificial reef site.

The project’s funding comes from savings realized on previous artificial reef initiatives. Two vessels (the MV CRIMSON WHITE and MV COUNTESS MONARCH) originally budgeted for $200,000 each were fully funded through other partnerships, while another project (RV DEEP STIM III) came in at one-third of its projected cost due to a tri-county partnership. These savings, totaling $900,000, have been reallocated to the current project.

The contract includes a weather contingency of up to $42,000 to cover potential standby costs if poor weather delays deployment. County officials plan to schedule the deployment during the most favorable weather window in the next 60 days to minimize the need for this contingency.

“This project is another example of how our leadership is focusing their support on making Destin-Fort Walton Beach one-of-a-kind,” added Fogg. “While these two vessels may not be the Titanic, they will make interesting dive sites and the fish and marine critters that will call it home won’t know the difference.” 

These two new reefs are part of Okaloosa County’s 5-Year Artificial Reef Plan aimed at making Destin-Fort Walton Beach the dive capital of the state of Florida and build upon its status as a premier fishing destination. 

More information about the Destin-Fort Walton Beach artificial reef program and reef locations can be found here: https://www.destinfwb.com/explore/eco-tourism/artificial-reefs/