The Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners approved a $4.6 million contract with Empire Builders Group, Inc. for the Veterans Park Shoreline Restoration project, with officials citing the need to protect the park from future storm damage.
- “We need to reinforce that shoreline to protect against erosion when we have another hurricane,” said Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel, whose district includes Veterans Park. “This living shoreline is going to stabilize the beachfront there so it will continue to be an asset that can be used by the community.”
The extensive restoration project includes construction of 16 breakwaters, two boardwalk sections with curb ramps and concrete sidewalk, and comprehensive saltmarsh enhancement and creation areas. The work will feature both standard and integrally colored concrete sidewalk, raised timber boardwalk with composite decking, earthwork, and saltmarsh restoration plantings.
Empire Builders Group emerged as the winning contractor among five bidders, with three deemed responsive and responsible. The company submitted the lowest responsive bid, leading to an Intent to Award issued on January 10, 2025.
- “We’ve been trying to get this money from three different sources all worked out and we finally got it so we’re ready to move on it,” Ketchel said. “I’m very excited about this project!”
The project combines funding from multiple sources, including a $1.5 million grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), with $1.475 million allocated specifically for construction.
- Additional funding includes $1.529 million from a RESTORE grant through the Gulf Consortium, and $804,572 in Tourist Development District (TDD) funds. Previous TDD funds were used for boardwalk construction, leaving a balance of $810,593.
“This is a win for the entire community, because we’re using tourist development dollars in large part to continue to improve this 20.5 acres while leaving it in a natural state where the birds and the wildlife that are there continue to thrive,” Ketchel said.
