PARKS+REC

Okaloosa, Shalimar to partner on new $3 million waterfront park next to Shalimar Bridge

On Tuesday, September 19, 2023, the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to purchase a vacant waterfront parcel at the southeast corner of the Shalimar Bridge and to partner with the Town of Shalimar on redeveloping the site into a new public waterfront park. 

The approximately three-quarter acre property has been an eyesore for years, attracting trash, homeless individuals, and illicit activities due to its vacant, unkempt state, according to County Administrator Craig Coffey. 

“On many occasions, Town and County elected officials and staff have been contacted by the public about the situation with the property at the SE corner of the Shalimar Bridge,” said Coffey. “Often used by fisherman, homeless individuals, and as an errant parking location, the site is a hotspot for trash, nefarious activities, overgrown vegetation, old foundations and in general is an eyesore.”

The County Commission approved spending up to $900,000 to purchase the property, which recently appraised for that amount. The property had an asking price as high as $3 million at one point, according to Coffey. 

The new park could provide parking, bathrooms, a fishing pier, elevated observation platform, temporary boat slips, picnic pavilions, a small store/bait shop, and other amenities accessible by land and water. 

• “This property could become a beauty spot with heavy landscaping, as well as an interesting place to visit by land or water, to fish from, or to enjoy a picnic at the water,” explained Coffey. 

The total budget for acquiring the property, designing and permitting the park, construction, and contingency is approximately $3 million, according to Coffey. The County will provide 83.3% of the funding from its tourism tax revenues.

The Town of Shalimar will contribute the remaining 16.6% or up to $500,000 from its allocated annual share of the tourist tax revenue. “Between the Town’s current balance of TDT collections and future TDD allocations, the Town has agreed to contribute up to $500,000 or 16.6% towards the project which is approximately 10 years of the Town’s allocated TDD revenue,” explained Coffey in a memorandum to the board.

The Town of Shalimar Commission unanimously approved an interlocal agreement with the County spelling out the terms of the partnership. The park will be annexed into the Town upon completion and become a Town park owned and maintained by Shalimar. 

“I’m very excited about this because this has been such an eyesore as we come over the bridge,”  said Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel. “I think we finally have a win for the Town of Shalimar and for the citizens of Okaloosa County where we don’t have to have trash everywhere and the homeless on this particular piece of property.”

• Commissioner Nathan Boyles also voiced strong support, saying the project is “an absolute win across the board of bringing all of those ingredients together” in terms of the County’s relationships with its municipalities and use of tourist tax funds to meet resident demands for more recreational amenities.

The County will take the lead on the acquisition, design, permitting, and construction of the park. The goal is to develop the park as soon as practical after completing the purchase, according to Coffey. 

The park will be subject to the same rules as other County parks, with the Town taking over maintenance and enforcement upon completion. Deed restrictions will prohibit any future sale or lease of the park land without County Commission approval.

With the property now clear of probate court, the County hopes to close on the purchase in late October or early November. Securing waterfront properties for public recreation and access has been a priority for the Commission, having done several beach acquisitions and in Destin along with a recent purchase in Mary Esther.

• “Free/Open public access locations continue to remain one of our top tourism activities for visitors to our Community and is equally sought after by residents,” wrote Coffey. “As both tourism and residential populations have grown, the demand on these resources has likewise increased.”

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SCHOOL

Okaloosa School District to participate in ‘Amazing Kids Day,’ autism-friendly event

The Okaloosa County School District will join WSRE PBS at the Fort Walton Beach Public Library at 185 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, for Amazing Kids Day, an autism-friendly event for kids.

The event will provide fun, sensory-friendly activities designed for kids with autism and helpful educational resources for their families.

• It will take place on Saturday, September 30, from 9 am to 12 pm, and admission is free. For those interested in attending, please register here. 

For more information, you can email jshaffer@wsre.org or call 850-484-1240. 

A MESSAGE FROM COX

Cox Communications stresses importance of readiness as hurricane season peaks

With Disaster Preparedness Month underway, Gulf Coast residents are preparing for the peak of hurricane season. As cooler fall temperatures arrive, many may let down their guard when it comes to disaster readiness. However, emergency officials warn that disasters can strike at any time – from tornadoes and floods to severe storms and hurricanes.  

• That’s why September’s National Preparedness Month serves as an important reminder to get prepared, according to said Cox Gulf Coast Market vice president David Deliman.

“Here along the Gulf Coast, disaster can strike at any time,” Deliman said. “Tornadoes, floods, severe thunderstorms, hurricanes and ice storms – we’ve seen it all here. That’s why families should always be prepared for severe weather and other natural disasters.”

Deliman recommends putting together a disaster kit with three days’ worth of supplies, including food, water, clothes, prescriptions, and baby supplies. He also advises property owners to regularly remove dead vegetation to protect against storms.  

Downloading key apps before disaster strikes can help residents stay connected and informed. The Cox app allows users to check for outages, get text alerts, and manage accounts. The Contour TV app lets customers stream news, weather, shows and movies if confined at home.

Deliman emphasizes the need to update contact info with utility providers for emergency alerts. He also recommends learning how home security systems function during outages. 

• For example, Cox Homelife uses cellular backups to communicate alarms if the internet fails.

Business owners also need detailed preparations and continuity plans, Deliman said. Backing up files through services like Cox Business Disaster Recovery can protect data from disasters. Tools like call forwarding and Net Assurance keep businesses connected to customers if service disruptions occur. 

According to Deliman, keeping customers connected during emergencies is a top priority for Cox Communications. 

• “As a leader in customer satisfaction regardless of the weather, Cox makes it a top priority to keep customers connected during an emergency so they can stay informed, check in with family and friends, and even access their Cox video, phone, and internet services while taking temporary shelter away from home in the event of an evacuation,” said Deliman. “We know how important your communications services are during an emergency, as they are a primary tool for receiving information regarding the event and securing your property.”

He encourages residents to prepare now before disaster strikes by visiting cox.com for tips.

“While our fingers are crossed that the Gulf Coast will finish the year with no natural disasters, rest assured Cox is constantly preparing to ensure our equipment, network facilities, and work centers are prepared for possible storm events,” he continued. “And by taking a few minutes now to plan while the skies and seas are calm, you will be, too.”

THE WEEKENDER

A few things to do around town

September 21, 2023 – Bubbly Baytowne – Free – View

September 21, 2023 – Sip and Paint!! – $35 – $40 – View

September 22, 2023 – CALL FOR ENTRIES 39th NORTHWEST FLORIDA FAIR FINE ARTS SHOW SEPTEMBER 26 – 30 | 2023 – $2 – $30 – View

September 22, 2023 – International Talk Like a Pirate Day – Free – View

September 22, 2023 – Twisted Grape Live Music: Tyler Acosta – View

September 23, 2023 – Sunshine State Animal Rescue’s All Paws Charity Poker Run – View

September 23, 2023 – Hot Cars for SOCKS Cats – View

September 23, 2023 – Car Seat Safety Day at Volkswagen Fort Walton Beach – FREE – View

September 23, 2023 – Sunshine State Animal Rescuse All Paws Charity Poker Run – $20 – View

September 23, 2023 – Clay with a Purpose – $25 – $30 – View

September 23, 2023 – Destin Seminole Club FSU vs Clemson Watch Party – Free – View

September 23, 2023 – Twisted Grape Live Music: Donnie Morgan – View

September 23, 2023 – LSU vs. Arkansas Watch Party – Free – View

September 24, 2023 – Welcome to the most spectacular and largest guided Sound Meditation Chakras Journey in Destin! – $25 – View

September 26, 2023 – Flight Night @ Twisted Grape – View

September 27, 2023 – September Luncheon at Arts & Design Society (ADSO) – $15 – View

September 27, 2023 – Wine Down Wednesdays – View

September 27, 2023 – Sinfonia Cabaret at Seagar’s: An Evening with Laura Benanti – $295 – View

September 27, 2023 – Wednesday Night Concert Series at The Village of Baytowne Wharf – Free – View

September 28, 2023 – Planetarium Special Feature: Sordid Secrets of the Stars – $13 – $15 – View

September 28, 2023 – Ladies Night Out – Free – View

September 29, 2023 – Twisted Grape Live Music: Katie Dineen – View

September 30, 2023 – Florida Artist Blacksmith Association Open House – Free – View

September 30, 2023 – 2023 Women’s Expo at The Island Resort – Free – View

September 30, 2023 – Friends of the Destin Library to Co-Host Magical Variety Show September 30th – Free – View

September 30, 2023 – Twisted Grape Live Music: Jesse Flores – View

PARKS+REC

Okaloosa Commissioners approve $25 million Tourism Investment Plan for north-end of the county

The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a conceptual plan at their meeting on Tuesday to make tourism investments of up to $25 million in north Okaloosa County. 

• The plan aims to begin acquisitions and capital improvements in the northern part of the county to boost tourism opportunities there, following the countywide bed-tax expansion. 

The county has made significant investments in tourism assets and destinations in south Okaloosa in recent years, including $41.1 million already completed and another $9.3 million committed. These projects include beachfront properties, parks, trails, and other amenities largely concentrated in the Destin area. 

• However, there have been no similar tourism investments made north of Eglin Air Force Base to date. 

The new plan approved this week seeks to change that by dedicating up to $25 million from the county’s tourist development tax revenues (6th penny) to purchase properties and make capital improvements to develop new tourism attractions in north Okaloosa.

“We’re almost starting from scratch in the north,” said Craig Coffey, Deputy County Administrator. “We have a lot of great natural amenities, but we have to build upon those.”

Coffey said the goal is to lay the groundwork for tourism growth in the north end of the county by making strategic investments over time, much like the county has done in growing tourism in the south. He noted other areas like Panama City and Walton County that have made major investments in sports complexes and facilities that have successfully boosted their tourism economies. 

• “We’ve got to figure out what our niches are going forward,” Coffey told commissioners. “And I think part of that is going to be a north end investment and starting that process there.” 

Commissioner Nathan Boyles, whose district covers part of the north end of the county, spoke in favor of the plan to expand tourism investments across the whole county now that the tourist development tax applies countywide.

“This signals the intent of this county and this commission to recognize that there has been a fundamental shift in the bed tax district,” Boyles said. “Long term, we have to look differently at how we allocate those resources across the county.”

Commissioners Carolyn Ketchel, Trey Goodwin and Mel Ponder, whose districts represent the south end of Okaloosa, fully supported the investment plan.

• “I think we have a golden opportunity to develop our niche in terms of sports tourism, and to set ourselves apart from those to our east or west and create something special up there,” said Ponder. “It’s just putting an opportunity out here to create vision. You’ve got Commissioner Boyles and Commissioner Mixon, they’re visionaries, and they’ll work with the North End folks to make sure it’s a compatible thing into the DNA of the north end of the county.”

The conceptual plan will allow county staff to begin having conversations with landowners and stakeholders in the north end to identify potential investment opportunities. Staff will bring any proposed acquisitions or capital projects back to the commission for final approval along with details on plans for development and use of the properties.

Coffey said making these investments now is important for diversifying tourism offerings, allowing for more unique and off-season attractions and activities. He said it will also help balance future investments still needed in the south end of the county.