Casino at Sandestin Information

[Bob Hudson]

It appears that the Sun has picked up the poll I posted here and dispels it as a rumor with quotes from mr. Becnel. I think the quotes below are a non-denial denial. The second part of the post is a email sent to all members of the Sandestin SOA announcing a "Town Hall" meeting to discuss (drum roll please
) a possible casino at Sandestin.

Sun Article

‘Rumor mill alive and well' with talk of Sandestin casino (with POLL)
December 28, 2011 2:54 PM
Molly Mosher
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Local opinion is being taken a bit too prematurely about a possible resort casino, says Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort owner Tom Becnel.

“I think everybody is putting the cart way before the horse,” said Becnel. “The rumor mill is alive and well.”

The SoWal forum, which first suggested the possibility of a Sandestin casino, recently posed the question online: “Is a casino a good idea for South Walton?” It was answered with 62.7 percent responding “No” and 36.3 percent “Yes.”

_________

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Vote in our poll at the right hand side of the page.

_________

Many commented saying it would be a good idea for Freeport, in order to spread the wealth.

But could a casino come to South Walton?

According to Sandestin spokesperson Laurie Hobbs, “Like other destinations, we are monitoring the legislative process, but right now, the wheels in the legislature need to turn. It’s premature for us to speculate in terms of what’s going to happen. The big thing is, is that we’re monitoring it.”

A bill, which was sponsored by Reps. Erik Fresen (R-Miami) and Ellyn Bogdanoff (R-Fort Lauderdale), would create a new gaming regulatory agency and allow for “destination resort” casinos in Florida. While there is still a long way to go until Florida would be a full-fledged gambling state, the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce has already come out against the idea.

“There doesn’t seem to be any legislative movement,” said Hobbs. “There might be a more valid story if and when there is some legislative movement.”

Becnel agreed.

“If the legislature passes a gaming enabling bill, we would evaluate the opportunity just as any business owner would,” said Becnel. “To go beyond that would be a lot of conjecture without a foundation.”


From Sandestin SOA News

As you may know, there is currently a Bill before the Florida Legislature to create a State Gaming Commission with the possibility of eventually licensing up to five gambling casinos, two in South Florida, one each in Orlando and Tampa and one in the Panhandle.

To access the Bill click on the link below:
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=47669

On December 15, Tom Becnel, Sandestin Declarant and Resort Operator presented to the Sandestin Owners Association (SOA) Board of Directors his interest in developing a smaller entertainment based gaming facility, along Highway 98, immediately west of the Marriot Courtyard.

He commented that his interest is aligned with the homeowners of Sandestin and that he would only seek such a license with SOA support.

The Board then voted to organize a “Town Hall” style meeting for Mr. Becnel to present his ideas directly to Sandestin homeowners.

As a result, a Town Hall meeting has been scheduled for 2:00 pm on January 10that the Linkside Conference Center, Grand Ballroom.

Cecilia Jones, District 5 Walton County Commissioner (includes the Sandestin area) will also attend and be available for comments.

We encourage each and every one of you to participate, as this decision could have profound and long-term effects on the lifestyle and property values of our community.

The SOA will also tape the meeting and make the video available on our website. A link to that video will be sent to owners via this email list following that meeting.

The SOA Advisory Board (comprised of neighborhood Presidents) will meet on January 17thto participate in an official opinion poll as to whether or not the SOA should support Mr. Becnel in his effort and under what terms that support should be given. Each vote cast by the Advisory Board member will represent the number of units within his or her neighborhood. Therefore, we further encourage you to contact your Association President or Manager by January 17thto express your views so that he or she can best represent your interests. The link below will provide you with contact information for your Neighborhood Association Manager.
http://www.sandestinowners.com/content/neighborhood-association-management

 

[Jim Tucker]

Not a big deal. Pass the bill and every community in FLA will want to build a casino.

 

[Diamond Dave]

One thing I've learned is that you cannot trust the media. Local media (most of it) is in the pockets of the powers that be. Just look at the newspaper lines about the casino. Now facts are presented that conflict that. Is the paper going to do a follow up? Probably not. Its also very interesting how and why only one TV news station has continued to follow the DeFuniak Springs City Manager Disaster.... Wonder why?

 

[miznotebook]

FYI, I spoke with the Sandestin Owners' Association today about the Jan. 10 Town Hall Meeting and asked if the general public would be able to attend the meeting. The response was that it was only for Sandestin homeowners and that it would be closed to the general public and media.

 

[SOA]

The information above is correct. The Town Hall Meeting will not be open for the general public or media. We thank you in advance for your cooperataion.

 

[Bob Hudson]

Would someone please provide a link to this after the meeting.

"The SOA will also tape the meeting and make the video available on our website. A link to that video will be sent to owners via this email list following that meeting.".

The proposal being presented has an affect outside the bounds of Sandestin proper.

I guess this position explains why both of the Commissioners that represent Sandestin will not be present.

If they were both going to be present then it would have to be open to the public.

 

[miznotebook]

Bob, I believe you are right about meetings having to be public if two commissioners are present. Commissioner Cecilia Jones had been scheduled to attend the Town Hall meeting, but the county commission meeting the same day presented a conflict, since it starts at 4 p.m. and will take place in DFS. The Town Hall meeting in Sandestin starts at 2 p.m., which would not leave much if any time for travel, depending on how long it will last. I understand that she is sending a staff person, though.

 

[Kurt]

http://www.wjhg.com/home/headlines/Sandestin_Explores_Casino_Options_137096828.html

The owner of the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort met with Sandestin homeowners Tuesday afternoon to talk about the possibility of building a casino at the resort, if the legislature gives the okay to expand gambling in the state.


"If and when the opportunity presents itself we'll make a decision" said Sandestin owner Tom Becnel.
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Resort officials laid out preliminary plans they believe will benefit the community.


Becnel met with over 400 homeowners in a closed informational meeting to discuss adding an entertainment and gaming facility to the resort.


"We will take that guidance and react to it. If it is overwhelmingly positive, we'll continue with the process; if it's overwhelmingly negative we'll probably step back from the table" said Becnel.


This, all depending on if the resort casino bill survives in the 2012 legislative session. If it is adopted, Becnel has what he called "community-customized" ideas.


"The entertainment portion would be larger than the gaming portion. It would be a very high end, well regulated, high security, dress coded facility that is not looking to compete with the hard rock cafes of the gaming industry".


The proposed location of the complex would be off of Highway 98 on the bayside of the resort where a part of the Baytowne golf course is.


Becnel says he met with consultants who predict the gaming and entertainment attraction would double or triple the resort's occupancy rate in the first two years, help the local economy, and carry tourism through the shoulder seasons.


"The gaming portion provides the fuel to bring the entertainment, the top quality restaurants, and the retail component that we need to keep the activity level in Sandestin where it needs to be if we're going to continue to grow."


Becnel stresses his ideas should not be confused with what is considered the industry norm.
"You have to seperate this opportunity from what other people will traditionally point at; Atlantic City, Gulfport, Las Vegas--wherever you want to look at major gaming developments, that is a whole different concept than what we're advocating here".
But not everyone thinks it's a good idea. The Destin Area Chamber of Commerce is not advocating the addition of gaming to the area at all, and have even drafted and approved a resolution against the proposed legislation.
The argument comes down to how the gaming industry would impact the local economy.


"40% of small businesses fail after the introduction of a casino into an established tourism economy and that's not something we're comfortable with" said Chamber Chairman Bill Lindsley.


Becnel believes the gaming industry would create 1600 jobs and actually help small businesses prosper. "I think it would be the opposite. I think if you bring another 200,00-300,000 people into this immediate area, all of the businesses are going to benefit" said Becnel.


Now all eyes are on lawmakers in Tallahassee, who will ultimately be the ones who determine what happens.
Becnel says if the bill passes, he will then turn to Sandestin homeowners for input on how the community wants to move forward, if at all.
​

 

[Bob Hudson]

TO: MEMBERS OF THE SOA
January 12, 2012
Good Afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen,

We hope this email finds you well. We wanted to follow up as a result of SOA meeting this week on a
proposed gaming and entertainment facility at Sandestin.

For some individuals, this is an emotionally charged topic. We respect that, and I also personally
ask for you to be open to learning more information. Listed below is a summary that you may find
helpful:

1) Legislative Process

� A bill granting three gaming licenses in Florida is being considered by members of the Florida Legislature.
� As the bill progresses through committees, there could be a provision made for a selected number of “class B” or smaller restricted gaming licenses.

2) Economic Vitality of Sandestin and Competitive Pressure

� In order for Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort to continue to be a vibrant place to live and play for all homeowners and their families, the resort needs additional business year round. Guest demand drives the ability for good business like restaurants, retail, and other recreation outlets to operate year round.
� Based on facts and figures provided to us, a high end gaming and entertainment facility would bring in added revenue and guest volume that would fuel funding to this area.
o Increased jobs – an estimated 1,600 year round jobs could be generated, creating a stronger housing market in our area.
o Increased room nights – a potential to double year round occupancy.
o Additional funding and tax revenue – the infusion of millions of dollars for important
infrastructure including law enforcement and other protective services, education, and other areas etc.
� If a gaming facility went to a neighboring county or community, it would have a negative impact on Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort’s operations. Both business and leisure guest business would be lost, impacting not only the resort, but also local restaurants, retail and other businesses here.

3) What is Being Considered

� If the legislature includes and approves class B or smaller restricted gaming licenses,
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort would like to be prepared.
� We have identified a parcel whereby a gaming and entertainment complex could be accessed directly from Highway 98.
� The gaming and entertainment concept that is being considered here is far different from what has traditionally been in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and other lower end facilities.
� We would consider only a small high end facility with strict guidelines. No jeans, no hats, and no undesirable elements. Since we are a privately held company, we can be selective and would not have to abide by the extreme quotas that publicly traded companies have.
4) Impact of Gaming and Entertainment
We understand that quality of life at Sandestin is critical to you. There are various research papers on the topic of the impact of gaming and entertainment. Here are the links to studies that we have found helpful in our evaluation.

� “Casinos and Economic Development: A Look at the Issues”:
http://www.stlouisfed.org/publications/br/articles/?id=638

� Research by Dr. William Reece at the West Virginia University College of Business and
Economics: http://be.wvu.edu/news_events/reece_award/index.htm

If you want to track the progress of the pending legislation first hand, you can also monitor the bill through this link:
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=47669.

As a fellow homeowner, I understand that this is an important issue for you.

We are asking you to say yes to learn more, and to help us keep the door open to further research and discussions so options can be explored, so that we can do our best to maintain the economic vitality of this area.

We urge you to contact your Neighborhood Association President, so s/he can accurately express the attitudes and opinions of the constituents there. On Tuesday, your President will give an estimated number of how many people are for learning more information and taking the next exploratory steps.

If you have any further questions or comments for me, feel free to email me at
ExecutiveOffice@Sandestin.com.

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Tom Becnel

 

[Dawn]

By DOTTY NIST

Due to a lack of support by Sandestin homeowners, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort owner Tom Becnel is no longer moving forward with conceptual plans for a casino at the resort.


Two bills now in the Florida legislature propose to expand “limited gambling,” including slot machines, to “destination resorts” in the state.


The legislation would remove the Division of Pari-mutuel Wagering from the state Department of Business and Professional Regulation, would set up a state Department of Gaming Control, and would create a State Gaming Commission to head up that department. The State Gaming Commission would be empowered to authorize limited gambling at up to three destination resorts.


A destination resort is, according to the bill’s definition, “a mixed-use development consisting of a combination of various tourism amenities and facilities, including, but not limited to, hotels, villas, restaurants, limited gambling facilities, convention facilities, attractions, entertainment facilities, service centers, and shopping centers.”
“Limited gambling,” as defined in the bill, would include not only slot machines but other games such as roulette and craps. The State Gaming Commission would also have the authority to allow any other game of chance or wagering at its discretion at the destination resorts for which it would license limited gambling. If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.


Rather than the large destination resorts that would be made possible with the bills as currently written, Becnel has stated that he would envision a small, upscale resort gaming and entertainment facility at Sandestin.
In a letter to the editor of a local newspaper, the resort owner said he thought it possible that the proposed legislation would be revised to provide for a number of “smaller restricted gaming licenses.”
Becnel had pledged that he would not move forward on his concept without “a high degree of community support.” On Jan. 10, he addressed Sandestin homeowners on the topic at an informational owners-only town hall meeting.


“We presented preliminary ideas and information to Sandestin owners, and respect their response,” Becnel said.
Homeowners were encouraged to contact their association president or manager with their opinion on the possibility of the gambling/entertainment facility. The Sandestin Owners Association (SOA) Advisory Board, composed of neighborhood presidents, then met on Jan. 17 to conduct an official opinion poll on the possibility of the facility. Each vote cast represented the number of units in the advisory board member’s neighborhood.


Sandestin Resort spokesperson Laurie Hobbs reported: “The ballots cast resulted in 21 percent voting in favor of, and 79 percent opposed to, the potential project.” Hobbs noted that there were abstentions, with many residents saying that they wanted or needed more information in order to make a decision.


“We appreciate the many residents and leaders who participated in the process,” Hobbs said. “We will watch the legislative process, like others in the state. But without a change in community support we will not move forward,” she concluded.

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