The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday approved $3.3 million in tourist development tax funding for the final segment of the Destin Crosstown Connector project.
- The approved interlocal agreement with the City of Destin covers construction of the Beach Drive to Benning Drive roadway leg, which will complete the connector route running from Commons Drive to Stahlman Avenue.
“It’s been a minute getting here but we’re here today,” said Jennifer Adams, Tourism Director. “We greatly need this extension for us trying to get home at night and traverse around in the busy months.”
The total project cost is estimated at $10 million, with the county’s contribution capped at $3.3 million, or 33% of the actual project costs. The City of Destin will be responsible for any cost overages.
City officials report they are finalizing the Environmental Impact Report and are close to issuing a development order. The city plans to coordinate with the Florida Department of Transportation for contractor procurement later this spring.
The 0.4-mile segment will include a median-divided roadway, bicycle lanes, sidewalks on both sides, street lighting, street furniture, and landscaping, as required by the Destin Multi-Modal Transportation District guidelines.
- The project has been designated as high priority by the Northwest Florida Transportation Corridor Authority and Okaloosa-Walton Transportation Planning Organization. The Tourist Development Council recommended approval at its December 17, 2024 meeting.
The funding, first budgeted in fiscal year 2019, will be carried over into fiscal year 2025. The commissioners approved the agreement unanimously.
5 Responses
This community native and Destin resident says too many outsiders are culpable in the problems and proposed solutions plaguing residents quality of life issues.
Good bye West Destin community character here comes more traffic, noise and disgusting ultra bright LED street lighting to your quite neighborhoods.
All in the name of high density growth at any cost and a cheap tourist buck.
I know right! I would hate it if the world kept growing! Maybe if you’re a home owner you could sell your house that has doubled in value over the last 4 years and try somewhere new?
It would be nice to incorporate our transit system currently in place for visits to utilize; with published pick up spots, and a QR code to scan for the current transit bus location and estimated wait times.
Much improvement could be enhanced along these routes; particularly on Indian bayou tel in front of city hall and Morgan park; their is a large resort across the street with a nightly 2500 rental capacity on any given day.
Although I am in support of the enhanced interconnection; not many people are willing to walk 1-3 miles in 90 degree heat.
I hope we have a chance to evaluate options to expand with what we have to eliminate the bottle neck traffic in destin; all the while keeping our residents resident taxes down.
You don’t want a mass transit system in Destin!! Look at cities with it and what it brings!!!
I vote we don’t tell the tourists! Let them stay bottled-up!