REAL ESTATE

Odom Hotelz to open 6 new hotels from Okaloosa to Bay counties

Odom Hotelz, a new hospitality group owned by real estate developer The Jay Odom Group, plans to open six hotels in Okaloosa, Walton and Bay counties starting in 2024.

• The hotels will operate under the IHG, Hilton and Marriott brands but aim to provide an elevated guest experience that goes beyond typical brand standards, according to details from The Jay Odom Group.

Odom Hotelz President Jay Odom said the hotels will offer high pay to attract passionate, service-oriented staff. They also plan to make the properties stand out with exterior paint colors not typical of their brands, abundant landscaping and spacious bar areas aimed at serving local businesses and social communities.

“We’ve stepped outside the traditional paradigm of brand owners and hotel owners to create a non-formula franchise,” Odom said.

The first Odom Hotelz property will open in a community that hosts large conferences, so it will have 4,500 square feet of meeting space – about five times more than its brand usually offers.

“We’re determined to make our standard the new standard,” Odom said.

The Jay Odom Group, founded in 1987, is a major real estate developer in the Florida Panhandle with a portfolio that includes residential communities, retail centers, offices and other hospitality properties.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Bird flu confirmed in ducks at Twin Hills Park in Crestview, ponds to remain closed

After initially closing Twin Hills Park ponds last week due to multiple dead ducksfound in the water, the City of Crestview confirmed Tuesday that Avian Influenza A has been detected among the park’s duck population.

• The closures on the east and west ponds, which were announced in a statement last Thursday, will remain in effect for at least 60 days.

According to the city, a necropsy performed at the Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory yielded pathology results showing a dead duck had tested positive for avian influenza A.

• While avian flu viruses usually do not infect people, city officials said the safely of residents and preservation of local wildlife are top priorities.

“We understand the significance of Twin Hills Park as a community space, but the safety and well-being of our residents and the preservation of local wildlife are our top priorities,” said City Manager Tim Bolduc. “Throughout this situation, we have been proactive and will continue to do so until it is completely resolved.”

The city is urging the public to adhere to the pond closure notices, stay out of the restricted areas, and avoid contact with waterfowl at the park until further notice. The City of Crestview says they will continue to work closely with relevant agencies to assess when it will be safe to reopen the ponds to the public.

The ponds were closed last week after multiple dead ducks were found around one of the ponds.

A MESSAGE FROM DESTIN-FWB AIRPORT

Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport wants to fly one lucky military member ‘Home for the Holidays’

Are you an Active Duty Service Member who resides in the 850 or 448 area code? Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport wants to fly one lucky military member ‘Home for the Holidays’

• Enter to win a free roundtrip flight home to visit loved ones over the holiday season.

The promotion, running from November 1st through December 5th, is open to enlisted personnel based/stationed/posted at one of the many military bases located in the 850 or 448 area code.

Click here to enter today! Or, send this email to a friend who can enter.

THINGS TO DO

Fort Walton Beach kicks off holiday season with annual Christmas Tree Lighting

Residents are invited to ring in the holiday season at the annual Light Up the Night Christmas tree lighting in downtown Fort Walton Beach on Friday, November 24.

• The event, hosted by the City of Fort Walton Beach, will take place at 5 p.m. at the Fort Walton Beach Landing located at 139 Brooks Street Southeast.

The evening will feature the lighting of the Landing’s Christmas tree and downtown holiday lights for the first time this season.

Festivities include live Christmas tunes performed by members of the Fort Walton Beach Community Chorus, an appearance by Santa Claus and remarks from Mayor Dick Rynearson.

• At 5:30 p.m., Rynearson will flip the switch to illuminate the downtown lights and the Christmas tree, offically welcoming the holiday season to Fort Walton Beach.

The Light Up the Night ceremony has become a cherished way for locals to come together and usher in the Christmas season. The event is free and open to the public. City officials encourage community members to arrive early to get a good spot for the lighting ceremony.

REAL ESTATE

Okaloosa County approves $2 million to convert old BeachBank into ‘tourism hub’ in Crestview

The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday discussed purchasing the old BeachBank building located at 5131 Ferdon Boulevard in Crestview and converting it into a north county tourism hub.

• The nearly $2 million purchase would turn the modern-style, 6,260-square-foot building on State Road 85 into a “visitor venture outpost,” said Deputy County Administrator Craig Coffey.

The building, constructed in 2009, features class A interior offices and comes furnished with built-ins, furniture and office equipment, he said.

“The intent is to make this an interactive center that really gets people to stop, gets them to interact with us and sets the tone for the tourism adventure they have ahead of them,” Coffey said.

The Tourism Department plans to use the lobby area, nearly 1,750 square feet, for interactive visitor displays. A 1,000-square-foot former drive-thru teller area could be repurposed and the site offers a conference room and many ‘ready-to-go’ offices for staff.

The building’s prominent location near I-10 (intersection of PJ Adams and SR 85) would funnel visitors exiting the highway, Coffey explained. Its architecture and move-in ready amenities make the purchase a better value than constructing a new building.

• The facility would provide concierge services for visitors and serve as a hub for county tourism staff activities and planning future tourism projects in northern Okaloosa, Coffey said.

Commissioner Nathan Boyles said he supported the purchase but emphasized the need to show local residents direct benefits from expanded bed tax district projects. Boyles suggested incorporating recreational amenities at the site locals could also enjoy.

Commissioner Trey Goodwin said the project shows the county’s investment in boosting tourism in northern Okaloosa.

The commission unanimously approved the $2 million purchase and up to $500,000 in initial renovations (using tourism dollars). The facility could open this spring after renovations.