The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday to purchase a 297-acre property in Baker for $6.25 million, marking a significant step in the county’s efforts to diversify its tourism offerings and enhance recreational opportunities for residents.

• The property, located on the east side of Highway 189, abuts the existing Baker Recreation Area and the closed county landfill. It includes several man-made lakes, a large cleared area of about 87 acres, and several fairly flat areas suitable for large outdoor events.

Craig Coffey, Deputy County Administrator, presented the proposal to the board, highlighting the property’s potential. “This is a legacy acquisition for a variety of uses on the north end that can grow and evolve over time,” Coffey said during the meeting.

The acquisition is part of a broader strategy to develop tourism infrastructure in the northern part of the county. Coffey explained that the county has been acquiring properties both on and off the water to diversify its tourism products. This project follows the establishment of the Crestview Welcome and Adventure Center and the recent purchase of 412 acres off Poverty Creek east of Crestview.

The property features an event barn that seats 200 people, currently used for weddings and other gatherings. There are also three cottages on the lakes and several smaller storage buildings. Last year, the venue hosted 50 weddings, demonstrating its existing appeal as an event space.

Commissioner Nathan Boyles, whose district includes the property, strongly supported the acquisition. 

• “These types of acquisitions are smartly targeted towards properties that have a really complementary use to the county’s existing infrastructure. They also provide great recreational opportunities for local folks who live here. At the same time, they supercharge our tourism industry within the north end. This is absolutely the right type of acquisition,” Boyles said.

He also noted that the purchase would help address long-standing concerns about traffic in the area, particularly along Highway 189 and through Baker to Highway 90. Boyles emphasized that this acquisition would benefit local residents who have had to endure increased traffic without seeing direct benefits from tourism.

The county plans to engage various stakeholder groups to develop a conceptual master plan for the property. Potential uses could include equestrian events, livestock shows, festivals, cross-country races, and other outdoor recreation activities. The property might also host a northern County Fair and provide space for RV hookups and horse trailers.

• Funding for the purchase will come from tourism dollars, specifically the 6th cent of the bed tax. The county is seeking either a bank loan or a short-term loan from the Florida Local Government Finance Corporation to finance the acquisition, with an expected interest rate under 5% for a term under five years.

Addressing concerns about competition with private businesses, Coffey clarified that the purchase agreements allow for the continuation of the existing wedding venue business on the property for up to five years. 

• “We didn’t want to put that wedding vendor out of business; we didn’t want to be in the wedding business ourselves,” Coffey explained.

Commissioner Trey Goodwin sought assurance that the county would not compete with private businesses. Coffey confirmed that the intent is not to compete with private enterprises but to support and complement existing tourism efforts.

Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel expressed enthusiasm for the acquisition, stating, “This is a no-brainer in my opinion. They’re not making more land, and I think we’ll look back on this and think what a smart move this was.”

The purchase also serves as a form of land preservation. Coffey presented a sketch showing how the property could have potentially been developed into 205 residential lots under current zoning, highlighting the acquisition’s role in managing growth and preserving open space in the Baker area.

• The county expects to close on the property by October 31, 2024. The Tourist Development Council will be briefed on the purchase at its September 24, 2024 meeting.

As the project moves forward, the county will work on addressing existing challenges at the Baker Recreation Area, including parking and drainage issues, to create a more functional venue capable of supporting various activities and events of quality and scale.