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Seaside is now closed until end of April

Photo courtesy of Visit South Walton Today, Seaside Community Development Corp. (SCDC) announced the closure of Seaside Commercial District, including dozens of retail stores and services. A letter written to key stakeholders is below: “Thank you for your perseverance through these unprecedented times. Over the past few days additional information about the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) […]

Photo courtesy of Visit South Walton

Today, Seaside Community Development Corp. (SCDC) announced the closure of Seaside Commercial District, including dozens of retail stores and services. A letter written to key stakeholders is below:

“Thank you for your perseverance through these unprecedented times. Over the past few days additional information about the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has resulted in professional consultations with multiple infectious disease experts among your SCDC leadership team. You surely recognize that the guests and visitors of our holiday town have grown to believe Seaside is a refuge; everything we hoped it would be, but not logical under the current conditions.

Our town founders and leadership team believe the only decision that makes health and safety a top priority is to close Seaside until April 30, 2020. Our hope is this decision will help save lives and help give medical professionals the space they need for those infected. Beginning at 5 p.m. today our town will close beach accesses in our commercial district. Effective immediately, all Spring event programming is suspended.

The formal closure of Seaside commercial area will happen Saturday, March 21st at noon. Some merchants may choose to close immediately upon this notice; However, we will not mandate closure until Saturday at noon. At that time, our food & beverage merchants may remain open for to-go service only, unless otherwise directed by the state or federal government.

Unquestionably, Seaside has taken a leadership role in South Walton. These past few days we have made every effort to stay focused on making our decision based on one purpose: health and safety. We are all in this together. We will find solutions to problems we will incur and work tirelessly to stay in communication. We certainly do not have all the answers. This is only the first communication you will receive; we will continue to communicate throughout this week.”

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Community Comments

“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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“Will there be a new traffic signal on Beal Parkway for the new Eglin Credit Union Ops Center on Beal Parkway?”
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“Yeah like Trump and Musk could give a flying Philadelphia Phelch about this historic ship! Much better for it to be a museum. Loved the comment how Trump and Musk...”
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“As a truck driver who used to haul for a customer in the area where the SS United States is berthed, I would see her on my way back up...”
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“All ships eventually go to scrap, the bottom, or rust away to nothing. Our beloved museum ships are no different, they've just gotten a temporary reprieve. Even if she were...”
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