Walton Sun:
When Jay Odom purchased a tract of land north of the Choctawhatchee Bay from International Paper in 2002, he thought it would be several years before the area near Freeport would be ready for development.
Then South Walton?s and Destin?s property values shot up and two years of hurricanes sent many folks scrambling for a more affordable location and one that afforded more storm protection.
That has resulted in a decision to begin development of Hammock Bay. At 3,000 acres the project in the Bay Loop Road area is Odom?s largest to date. ...
... Odom sees Freeport as the next area to develop. With name recognition and quality developments on his side, Odom?s Hammock Bay has generated interest from those considering a move away from the beach.
?We are in development of the first chapter,? said Odom.
Instead of phases, Odom refers to the project?s six communities as chapters. Harmony, the first chapter, will be the site of 450 homes. Lots range from about $85,000 to $200,000 depending on the size and location.
Hammock Bay could benefit from a change in Odom?s perspective now that he is a dad.
?I always thought about it (as a developer), but having kids made a difference. Now I ask, ?What do kids really like??? he said.
With two young sons, he looked at safety issues and considered traffic concerns when planning the community.
Everything from curb heights to playground equipment to getting to the playground took on new meaning when he envisioned his boys in the community. Plans include trails linking Hammock Bay that allow children to walk to other parts of the community without getting on busy streets.
There?s also a 16-acre school site on the plans.
?We?ve had discussions in regards to a land donation from Jay Odom for a school,? Walton County School Superintendent Carlene Anderson said. Future growth in Freeport could mean new middle and elementary schools would be needed, she said, but a proposal has not been made to school board members.
Odom has already donated 60 acres to Freeport for a major recreation center that includes walking trails, a water park, playgrounds, T-ball fields, tennis courts, shuffleboard courts, soccer fields and baseball fields. There?s a site for a theater for Grit and Grace, a Freeportbased group that features programs based on local history.
?The pools will be safer. There will be more streetlights. Hammock Bay will be family oriented,? he said. ?It will be safe and comfortable.?
When Jay Odom purchased a tract of land north of the Choctawhatchee Bay from International Paper in 2002, he thought it would be several years before the area near Freeport would be ready for development.
Then South Walton?s and Destin?s property values shot up and two years of hurricanes sent many folks scrambling for a more affordable location and one that afforded more storm protection.
That has resulted in a decision to begin development of Hammock Bay. At 3,000 acres the project in the Bay Loop Road area is Odom?s largest to date. ...
... Odom sees Freeport as the next area to develop. With name recognition and quality developments on his side, Odom?s Hammock Bay has generated interest from those considering a move away from the beach.
?We are in development of the first chapter,? said Odom.
Instead of phases, Odom refers to the project?s six communities as chapters. Harmony, the first chapter, will be the site of 450 homes. Lots range from about $85,000 to $200,000 depending on the size and location.
Hammock Bay could benefit from a change in Odom?s perspective now that he is a dad.
?I always thought about it (as a developer), but having kids made a difference. Now I ask, ?What do kids really like??? he said.
With two young sons, he looked at safety issues and considered traffic concerns when planning the community.
Everything from curb heights to playground equipment to getting to the playground took on new meaning when he envisioned his boys in the community. Plans include trails linking Hammock Bay that allow children to walk to other parts of the community without getting on busy streets.
There?s also a 16-acre school site on the plans.
?We?ve had discussions in regards to a land donation from Jay Odom for a school,? Walton County School Superintendent Carlene Anderson said. Future growth in Freeport could mean new middle and elementary schools would be needed, she said, but a proposal has not been made to school board members.
Odom has already donated 60 acres to Freeport for a major recreation center that includes walking trails, a water park, playgrounds, T-ball fields, tennis courts, shuffleboard courts, soccer fields and baseball fields. There?s a site for a theater for Grit and Grace, a Freeportbased group that features programs based on local history.
?The pools will be safer. There will be more streetlights. Hammock Bay will be family oriented,? he said. ?It will be safe and comfortable.?
