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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 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 […]

Taylor Allen Properties LLC

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.

Lobby area (Taylor Allen Properties LLC)

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.

Drive-thru area (Taylor Allen Properties LLC)

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.
Office space (Taylor Allen Properties LLC)

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.

Building layout (Taylor Allen Properties LLC)

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“The Big U! The NMU supplied the unlicensed crew and when we lost this ship and its jobs and when U.S. Lines went bankrupt, we were on our way to...”
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“Highschool is finna be more crowed now. We need another highschool not a middle or elementary school.”
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“This is bittersweet. I spent a wonderful week in Cay Sal Banks on the Pilot in 2006. I will have to go pay her a visit soon....”
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“I agree with Jerome. What will this accomplish since both ends are only 4 lanes?”
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“The parking lot at McGuires would disappear along with the parcel that Destin purchased at the bridge.. Flooding on Okaloosa Island would close an expensive update to 98 , at...”
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“This will not make a difference for traffic passing through the center of Destin along Rt. 98. The smart option is to complete the Brooks Bridge and intersection in Ft...”
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“Doesn’t it still end up with 4 lanes on either end after bridges? Seems more aesthetic than a traffic plan. Which is nice too but does it increase the function?”
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“It would be a money pit let’s sink it for the tourists who we don’t have enough of so more will come”
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“Traffic moves pretty well on that stretch of 98, I don't see the need to waste the money. Maybe do something to deal with the traffic in Destin, and Mary...”
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