Capital Improvements Update / Workshop Schedule

[Jen]

Earlier this summer, the Walton County TDC was given direction from the Walton County BCC to develop capital improvement plans and schedule public workshops for the four purchased properties, including: Driftwood, Highway 393, Highway 283 and Eastern Lake Road. A comprehensive plan then be presented to the Walton County BCC, which will include recommendations from staff and the public for the best use of each site.

Please see below for the schedule of public workshops pertaining to the capital improvement projects. These workshops are open to the public, and all residents, visitors or business owners of South Walton are encouraged to attend. All public workshops will be hosted at the South Walton Annex, located at 31 Coastal Centre Blvd, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

• Wednesday, Jan. 8, 5 p.m.: Grayton Grand Parking Project
• Wednesday, Jan. 15, 5 p.m.: Eastern Lake Parking Project
• Wednesday, Jan. 22, 5 p.m.: 393 Parking Project
• Wednesday, Jan. 29, 5 p.m.: Driftwood Parking Project

In addition, Walton Dunes NBA and Headland Avenue RBA conceptual designs will be presented to the Walton County BCC at the Jan. 14 meeting. Multiple public workshops were hosted for these two projects in 2019, where feedback and direction were given by residents, partners and staff.

Meeting Reminders:
If you are interested in learning more about the improvements to the destination, we encourage you to attend the Beach Management Committee and/or Destination Improvement Committee meetings. These meetings provide an opportunity for community leaders, staff and the public to discuss opportunities to enhance the South Walton experiences for our visitors.

The TDC committees were created to provide recommendations to the Walton County TDC Advisory Board. All meetings will 2020 year will be located in the South Walton Annex. For more information, please visit our website.

• Thursday, Jan. 9, 1 p.m.: Destination Improvement Committee

 

[Jen]

Per the Walton County BCC, staff was given direction to develop capital improvement plans and schedule public workshops for the four purchased properties, including:

• The Driftwood Road parking project is on a 1.119-acre parcel located at 76 Driftwood Road in Miramar Beach.
• The County Road 393 parcel is 2.3-acres and located north of Gulf Place Town Center on the west side of County Road 393.
• The County Road 283 parcel, also referred to as “Grayton Grand” parking project, is 6.995-acres and located on the eastern portion of County Road 283 South, across from the Shoppes at Grayton. This property has been leveled and improved with more than 300 designated parking spots currently used by visitors to Grayton Beach, employees and patrons, as well as shuttle location for Seaside and other nearly businesses.
• The Eastern Lake Road parking project consists of two neighboring parcels, located at 392 and 406 Eastern Lake Road in the Seagrove neighborhood. 392 Eastern Lake Road, .215-acres, is located just south of Williams Street on Eastern Lake Road. 406 Eastern Lake Road, a .278-acre parcel, is located just next door (east) of 392 Eastern Lake Road.

Currently, all public workshops for these proposed parking projects have been postponed and updates will be provided at a later date.

 

[Jen]

The Walton County Tourism Department continues to take an active approach to improve parking and transportation throughout the county, as well as other projects that enhance the quality of life. Here's a look at some projects currently undergoing or preparing for improvements.

• The County Road 283 parcel, also referred to as the “Grayton Central” parking lot, is 6.995-acres and is located on the eastern portion of County Road 283 South, across from the Shoppes at Grayton.
  • Temporary restroom facilities, landscaping and sail shades have been added to the area, as well as the expansion of the current drop-off area have been made ahead of the 2021 season.
  • This property has been leveled and improved with designated parking spots used by visitors to Grayton Beach, employees and patrons, as well as a shuttle location for Grayton Beach, Seaside and other nearby businesses.
  • Plans call for the facility to have 180+/- parking spaces, dedicated RV, golf cart and bicycle parking areas, restrooms and public transportation facilities.
  • Construction is expected to begin by summer 2022.

• The Driftwood Road parking project is on a 1.119-acre parcel located at 76 Driftwood Road in Miramar Beach.
  • As part of the design and permitting phase, plans will include a parking lot, public transit and a restroom facility. Design and permitting is expected to be completed by early winter 2021 and be completed by summer 2022.
• The County Road 393 parcel is 2.3-acres and is located north of the Gulf Place Town Center on the west side of County Road 393.
  • The design and permitting phase is currently ongoing.
    • Plans include 90+/- parking spaces, dedicated RV, golf cart and bike parking areas, a public transportation building and restroom facilities, as well as and connectivity to the multi-use path.
  • Construction is expected to begin in early winter 2021 and be completed by summer 2022.

• The Eastern Lake Road parking project is located at 407 Eastern Lake Road in the Seagrove neighborhood.
  • As part of the design and permitting phase, plans will include a parking lot.
    • Plans include 16 +/- parking spaces, 12 golf cart parking spaces and a bike parking area.
  • Construction is expected to begin late winter 2022 and be completed by summer 2022.

• Kellog Park Project: The proposed community/nature center will be an 800-1,200 square foot building, constructed on the existing building pad. Visitors of the park will still have access to the kayak launch and other county-maintained facilities throughout this process.
  • In 2008, the county formalized the bayside park, added a seawall, benches, water fountains, and a parking area. The TDC is currently responsible for maintaining the trails and existing facilities in the park. This 10-acre property was donated by the Kellogg family and is located on the Choctawhatchee Bay.
  • The design and permitting phase continues on the Kellogg Park project.

• Cessna Landing: This project now completed project is located off of County Highway 393 in Santa Rosa Beach.
  • Improvements included the replacement of the fishing pier and the construction of an ADA-accessible sidewalk and parking spaces.

• Camp Creek Lake Public Access: This Coastal Dune Lake Access project is to be located on the east side of Camp Creek Lake, north of 30A. The public access facility will include a canoe-kayak launch, parking, paths, landscape, and hardscape. A task order has been sent to continuing services contractor for the design/permit proposal. Design/permit efforts are expected to take approx. 1 year, construction to take approx. 6 months.
• Miramar Beach Municipal Parking project: This recently acquired 4.5-acre parcel in Miramar Beach is to be used for a beach-related municipal parking project. Design/permit efforts have not started.
• New Visitor Center / Discovery Center/ DMO Administration Facility: Arch/Eng. for the project is completing final revisions to plans in preparation for bidding. All federal/state/ local permits or letter of intent to issue received.