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Good morning!
Here’s what we’re covering today:
Two major developments shape our region’s future as Destin receives its preliminary Town Center blueprint and Walton County is set to gain 2,483 acres for a new state park. Meanwhile, both Destin and the Okaloosa School District earn recognition for supporting military families, the city begins negotiations for new city manager, and the SS United States artificial reef project moves forward despite delays.
Let’s get to the news you need to know this Thursday morning.
COASTAL RESOURCES
SS United States artificial reef project remains on track despite temporary delay
The SS United States currently remains in Philadelphia as county officials work to satisfy U.S. Coast Guard requirements for the vessel’s stability, Okaloosa County Natural Resources Chief Alex Fogg told the Tourist Development Council Tuesday morning.
- The Coast Guard issued a Captain of the Port order in mid-November requiring additional documentation before the historic ocean liner can begin its journey from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Mobile, Alabama.
“We had to satisfy specific items within that order,” Fogg said. “One was to provide more information related to the tow plan, another was to prove that the contracted tugboats are capable of pushing around a vessel of this size, and probably the biggest sticking point was to prove that the vessel was stable enough to make it from Philadelphia all the way down to Mobile.”
The county has hired an independent naval architect to conduct onboard tests to calculate the vertical center of gravity which is essential in determining vessel stability. These tests will involve moving water between the vessel’s empty fuel tanks and measuring how much it lists to the port and starboard. These tests are scheduled for next week, with results expected to be submitted to the Coast Guard before the New Year.
According to Fogg, the vessel was previously towed from the Mediterranean to Philadelphia in its current condition without incident. Despite this previous successful journey, the Coast Guard requires new stability data since the vessel’s existing documentation dates back to the 1950s.
Addressing recent media reports about project costs, Fogg clarified that the total $10.1 million budget, including $1 million specifically allocated for a land-based museum, remains unchanged. The project is funded through tourist development tax dollars, which by Florida law can only be used for specific purposes such as tourism promotion, beach improvements, and tourist attractions.
- These bed tax funds, collected from short-term lodging stays, are restricted by state statute and cannot be diverted to general county operations or other municipal services.
The county anticipates bringing forward several partnership agreements with private companies and neighboring counties in the coming months to help offset project costs. On Tuesday, the Escambia County Tourist Development Council approved contributing $1 million toward the project. The contribution still has to be approved by the Escambia Board of County Commissioners.
Despite recent delays, Fogg noted that the county is actually saving money because Philadelphia docking fees are less expensive than anticipated.
The county did incur a $100,000 fee for extending its stay at Pier 86 beyond December 14, following an initial $50,000 signing payment. However, Deputy County Administrator Craig Coffey said a new agreement has been negotiated and does not include any additional penalty fees.
Tourism Director Jennifer Adams emphasized that the project’s scope extends beyond creating an artificial reef.
- “Our mission was not to buy a vessel just to sink it,” Adams said. “We really view this as just another way to continue on with her legacy, particularly when the Conservancy puts up the museum.”
The vessel’s departure is now expected after the new year, though officials maintain the overall timeline for deployment offshore Destin-Fort Walton Beach remains on schedule for late 2025.
The SS United States, which holds the transatlantic speed record from its 1952 maiden voyage, will become the world’s largest artificial reef when deployed approximately 20 miles off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach.
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SCHOOL
Okaloosa County School District earns Purple Star designation for military family support
Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Okaloosa County School District has become one of five districts in Florida to receive the Purple Star District designation.
- The designation indicates that every school in the district has met the requirements to be named a Purple Star School of Distinction. Okaloosa County serves the highest percentage of military students among Florida counties.
“Earning the Purple Star District designation is a testament to the incredible work of our schools and staff,” said Superintendent Marcus Chambers. “We are deeply committed to supporting military families and ensuring their children thrive in our schools.”
The district began monitoring the Purple Star program since its proposal during the 2021 legislative session. Representative Patt Maney played a crucial role in establishing the program in Florida, according to Chambers.
“Representative Maney’s support and leadership have been key in making this program a reality,” Chambers said. “His advocacy ensures that Florida schools, including ours, are equipped to meet the unique needs of military-connected students.”
The district provides resources and information about its military student initiatives through its website at https://www2.okaloosaschools.com/page/purple-star-schools.
NEWS
Destin becomes second Florida city to earn veteran-safe certification
The City of Destin has become the second city in Florida to receive the Fire Watch Certification, marking a milestone in the state’s efforts to prevent veteran suicides through community engagement.
- Derek Collins, Regional Programs Director for North Florida at The Fire Watch, presented the certification on Monday, December 16, recognizing Destin’s achievement as the state’s second Veteran Safe Community.
“The Fire Watch is a first-of-its-kind community based solution to preventing veteran suicide,” Collins said. “The City of Destin participated in a prototype program where city government, public business and individuals were trained in our Watch Stander program.”
The initiative, led by Dr. Tamara Young, the city’s public information manager, and Mayor Bobby Wagner, involved extensive community outreach through business presentations, door-to-door engagement, and magazine articles. Their efforts doubled the number of Watch Standers in Okaloosa County in less than three months.
During the presentation, Wagner highlighted the program’s significance, citing VA data showing 63 veteran suicides in Okaloosa County over the past three years, with more than half involving veterans aged 18 to 34.
- Henry Angulo, Regional Programs Director for The Fire Watch, praised the city’s leadership. “With one of the fastest-growing veteran populations in Florida, the city’s proactive efforts to support veterans are commendable,” he said. “I hope the success of this program in Destin inspires other cities across the state to adopt similar initiatives.”
According to Collins, areas where the Fire Watch program operates have seen a 16% decrease in veteran suicides.
“My request to everyone is to join us,” said Mayor Wagner. “It’s really just two eyeballs at a time making sure that we can do what’s right for those who have served our country.”
POLITICS
Destin City Council approves negotiations for new city manager
The Destin City Council voted 6-0 Monday to authorize contract negotiations with Interim City Manager Larry Jones for the permanent position, with a proposed total compensation package not to exceed $255,000 — a reduction from the previous city manager’s compensation.
- The motion, initiated by Councilman Jim Bagby, includes specific terms requiring Jones to work five days per week and limit his outside consulting work. Jones will be permitted to maintain one existing client relationship that requires only two phone calls monthly.
“I am personally very happy with the job that Mr. Jones has done,” Bagby said during the council meeting. “No one has conveyed to me anything negative about his performance or about him.”
The proposed compensation package represents an $18,375 reduction from former City Manager Louis Zunguze’s total package of $273,375. Under the arrangement, Jones will operate as a contract employee rather than a regular city employee, providing his own healthcare and benefits.
Councilman Kevin Schmidt supported the decision, noting Jones’ performance since stepping into the interim role. “I think Larry did a fantastic job coming in here. I think we got to take advantage of what we have available to us right now,” Schmidt said.
- Jones, who previously served as a county manager, addressed the demands of the position during the council meeting. “My day starts when the first one of you gets out of bed in the morning and it’s not over until the last one goes to sleep at night,” he said. “And that’s seven days a week…and it has to be that way in order to be effective.”
Earlier in the evening, Jones reappointed former City Manager Louis Zunguze to his previous role as Community Development Director. Zunguze, who has been on medical leave since late summer, is returning to a position he previously held from December 2018 to June 2024.
The Community Development Director position had recently been vacated, and per Destin’s charter, such director-level appointments must be brought before the council.
The final contract will require five council votes for approval. Jones expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “It’s a blessing that I’m able to be here and be a part of what you’re doing. I think you have a great staff. I look forward to if we can move this thing forward to spending time to help do good things for it.”
PARKS+REC
Florida acquires 2,483 acres for new Walton County state park
Florida officials approved the $8.4 million purchase of 2,483 acres in Walton County Tuesday to establish the state’s newest park.
- During a meeting of the Governor and Florida Cabinet, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis approved the land acquisition from The Trust for Public Land. The property is located approximately one mile north of the Eglin Reservation within the Upper Shoal River watershed, and approximately four miles west of DeFuniak Springs.
“Florida’s natural resources are vital to our way of life and are a cornerstone of our economy,” Patronis said. “Investing in land conservation protects our environment and ensures that our children and grandchildren can enjoy Florida’s natural resources for generations to come.”
The new state park will provide opportunities for camping, hiking, biking, and other low-intensity recreational activities compatible with the adjacent Air Force base. The Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Recreation and Parks will manage the property.
The acquisition is part of a larger conservation initiative in the Upper Shoal River area, which has been identified as environmentally significant since 2003. The property contains habitats for several protected species, including the Florida black bear and gopher tortoise.
- The land purchase serves multiple environmental functions, including supporting aquifer recharge and helping maintain water quality in local water bodies, according to state documents. It lies within the Northwest Florida Sentinel Landscape, a designation highlighting its importance for both conservation and military compatibility.
Officials note that the site’s location and characteristics align with state goals for protecting biodiversity while providing public recreational access. The purchase preserves part of the Eglin to Blackwater Critical Ecological Linkage area, supporting regional conservation efforts.
PARKS+REC
Destin receives transformative Town Center Master Plan, charts course for city’s future
The Destin City Council received a detailed presentation on the Town Center Master Plan from architectural firm Synalovski Romanik Saye (SRS) during their December 16 meeting, outlining an ambitious long-term vision for transforming several key city properties.
- The presentation, delivered by SRS representatives Merrill Romanik and Gianno Feoli, emerged from extensive community engagement, including two in-person meetings and a digital survey. The firm also conducted multiple meetings with city departments, council members, and stakeholders to ensure comprehensive input.
The master plan envisions transforming the Morgan Sports Center into a ‘Civic & Recreational Complex’ with a new 30,000-square-foot City Hall and 40,000-square-foot Community Center, complete with enhanced recreational amenities including preserved pickleball courts, new sports facilities, and improved connectivity throughout the complex.
In the Gateway District, plans call for creating a historic “Fishing Village” featuring a new museum, replicas of historic structures, and a 300-space parking garage. The recently acquired Harbor One site would become a waterfront park with boardwalks, gathering spaces, and sunset viewing areas.
The plan represents a total potential investment of $65.5 million to be implemented in phases over many years. Cost estimates include significant contingencies to account for future market conditions.
Council members will further discuss the master plan during upcoming vision sessions in early 2025. The presentation represented partial completion of SRS’s contract, with a final comprehensive planning document still to come.
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