Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state Cabinet will consider a proposal on Tuesday, Sept. 30, to purchase approximately 4 acres of waterfront property in Okaloosa County for $84.5 million, converting land zoned for luxury condominiums into public parkland with significant local government support.
- The state would acquire the property from Pointe Mezzanine, LLC and Pointe Resort, LLC under an option agreement that values the land at about $20.8 million per acre, to include the added marina, sea wall and other improvements. The purchase price matches an appraisal completed in March by a state-approved appraiser.
Okaloosa County has pledged more than $5 million in direct investment and support for the project, according to an August letter signed by County Commission Chairman Paul Mixon to state environmental officials on behalf of the board. The letter was sent after Commissioner Drew Palmer sought unanimous consensus from the board to commit to managing the property and to work with the state.
“If the State buys this property, it means that the public will always have access to it, and I think that’s a beautiful thing,” said Palmer. “The public – our residents and visitors – will get to participate and experience our beautiful coastline and our natural resources here in Okaloosa County.”
The property sits near the Gulf Islands National Seashore and shares its western boundary with the City of Destin’s Norriego Point Beach Access and Park. State officials say the acquisition would expand the park area to nearly 16 acres and provide enhanced public access by connecting it to Gulf Shore Drive.
- According to the Board of Trustees agenda, the property is currently zoned for high-density residential use. The sellers originally planned to develop 80 luxury condos on the site, which they purchased in 2016 and 2017 for $7.9 million.
“We’re not making beachfront property anymore, especially parcels that are as well positioned as this one,” said Sen. Jay Trumbull, who helped craft the legislation. “I think it’s incredibly important to give people access to one of the most beautiful beaches in the entire world.”
The developers have already completed significant infrastructure improvements, including construction of a marina, installation of a sea wall, road and parking construction, and utility connections. The marina operates under a sovereign submerged lands lease that would transfer to public use.
“It’s a beautiful piece of property and something that is very unique,” added Palmer. “ The City of Destin and Okaloosa County have already partnered in many ways to expand public beach access including projects like Tarpon Beach and Crystal Beach. I love the idea of continuing to expand access to locals and to visitors alike.”
If approved, Okaloosa County would manage the new park in collaboration with the adjacent City of Destin facility. According to the state agenda, the county “will organize the management, maintenance, and operation of the subject property, and will oversee all aspects of the new park, including capital projects, construction procurement, insurance, staffing, utilities, and rule enforcement.”
Trumbull said he became aware of the opportunity during the legislative session as he was looking to identify resources for Northwest Florida projects while pursuing customary use. The funding came from existing Florida Forever conservation funds that had been appropriated but not spent on other projects, according to Trumbull.
“It’s not often that we have a chance to create a new state park – a new piece of property on the coast – because everything’s already been built on,” Trumbull said.
Deputy County Administrator Craig Coffey wrote to state officials in January that the acquisition would “create sustainable swathes of land on both sides of the East Pass Inlet” and prevent the already fully-designed-and-permitted, 9-story condo project from happening.
- He also noted the new park would “provide much-needed public beach access in Destin and take pressure off Henderson Beach State Park, which is often closed due to being at full capacity in the peak season.”
Trumbull said the acquisition aligns with broader efforts to expand public beach access across Florida, including his fight for customary use. “When I was a kid, we had the ability to walk up and down the beaches with no problem at all. Unfortunately, because we don’t own Gulf Front property, my children don’t have that same opportunity today,” he said. “I believe that’s totally wrong.”
The state and City of Destin are completing a $12 million project to improve the existing Norriego Point park, which officials say will complement the potential new acquisition. The combined facilities would offer over 100 parking spaces and recreational opportunities for boating, fishing and swimming.
“We buy a lot of upland property, and land around springs and military installations – which is great,” added Trumbull. “But we don’t usually have this type of opportunity.”
The Board of Trustees approval requires support from two members, with one being the Governor, when four members vote. The sellers have 120 days after approval to complete the transaction.
8 Responses
Ohhh so we paying Bobby Guidry now? I guess it’s better than more hideous condos at least 😒 https://midbaynews.com/post/robert-j-guidry-pleaded-guilty-to-paying-a-bribe-now-hes-the-top-donor-in-okaloosa-county-2024-election-campaigns
Why is no one concerned about the traffic this creates -100 parking spaces ??? There is only one way off the island and it’s already a busy road – can these people do more than just look at pictures – drive to the spot – make an educated decision!
Before you vote yes – Let’s see another appraisal. The property is not worth over 80 million dollars. Check the comps. The seller is a big time republican donor and the price has been severely inflated.
I agree.
I sent a letter to the Florida agricultural commissioner asking him to vote no and to save the money where it was intended to go in the first place, which was Florida conservation. Don’t steal the money from Florida Conversation.
I am a local here, and all of this building and real estate garbage makes my stomach turn. I am a marine and wildlife conservation supporter and what is heartbreaking about this area is that they are destroying this beautiful place. These officials that have a say so on where to build the next concrete jungle are looking at these properties in their natural state and saying how beautiful it is lets build on it and so people can enjoy its beauty! Are they not hearing themselves? Lets build on it… well building on it only covers up the beauty adn lets not forget what this does to the wildlife here. We have bears running on our beaches, foxes running down residential streets during the daytime because their home has been bulldozed to build $5 homes to sell for $1.2 million. They are destroying everything that made this area special and unique. For the past 56 years they have been dumping artificial reefs telling the public its for conservation efforts and in reality it is all for making money off of tourists through charter fishing, hotels, shopping, and restaurants. Now Okaloosa County wants to focus on “attracting SCUBA divers to our area because they are more likely to be wealthy and don’t use roadways or go to the beaches”….”the roads will be less congested with fewer people who will spend more money per person.” I just read that from Mid Bay News June 1, 2025 (by Christopher Saul), a source for a paper I am writing about on the Artificial Reef Program in NW Florida. The more I investigate and research into this program the more sickening this big picture is turning out to be. Our best kept secret has been ruined by the root of all evil. You tell me why, out of the entire state of Florida, there are 4,476 deployed reefs and out of that number approximately 3,500 of them are off of our coast?? Why do we need that many reefs? I’ll tell you why, because the fishing industry is outfishing what is being produced by these structures and so they dump more reefs until they can sustain the supply and demand. Why has Okaloosa County invested millions into the SS United States to be deployed as a reef? It ain’t because they have a love for marine conservation I will tell you that! It is for the love of money. Just think of the amount of fish that ship will house!! Holy Mackerel!! That will sustain the fish-puppy mill won’t it?!! The returns they are expecting to get back from their 24 million investment will pay for itself in one season. The g.ov and state have their hands in the cookie jar too. Why else would they approve this ridiculous amount of garbage to be dumped in our beautiful waters? It’s gross and irresponsible. Has anyone put two and two together yet as to why all the sudden we have permanent gulf residents of Great Whites? Whale Sharks etc. where were these guys 30 years ago? They were traveling their usual route in the Atlantic until the Gulf of Mexico turned into a buffet for every fish that could make it here. All of those reefs have created a massive food chain complete with a variety of predatory sharks brought in close to our shorelines. Remember officials saying don’t worry the sharks are migrating and chasing smaller fish. Gee I wonder where all these schools of smaller fish have come from that hundreds of bull and tiger sharks are swarming so close to shore….artificial reefs that have been dropped closer to shore to make it easier for fishing charters to take their clients fishing. Less gas less money tospend filling the boat and they can catch their limit in no time flat spend less time on the water so they are saving thousands just right there. They no longer need to go offshore to go catch snapper and grouper they have an entire coastline turned into a fish farm. It is like going on a controlled deer hunt. LOL like shooting fish in a barrel.. hmmph! Now we can put this ugly picture together. They do not care about the results of their actions because money will make it all better for them. Agencies will turn their head with their hand held out and check the approval box when their accounts say their deposit has been made from the city and county. In the end, when the beauty of this area is gone, and the eco systems fail and the wildlife and marine life is near extinct, they will pack up, take their millions and go do it again in another beautiful town. It will be left up to the ones who truly care about this place to fix it… and that is if we even can. Reefs are not natural to our shorelines say no to artificial reefs and the dumping of peoples art statues in the Gulf. Who said this was a good idea? IF NATURE INTENDED IT IT WOULD BE THERE. These reefs are creating havoc in our waters eco-system. Don’t let officials keep gaslighting us. This is not okay from our waters to building parking lots and ugly buildings on our beaches. NORRIEGO POINT IS A BIRD SANCTUARY!!! NOTHING SHOULD BE BUILT THERE PERIOD. THAT IS A VIOLATION OF THEIR RIGHT TO HAVE A SAFE HARBOR. Spread the word you heard! Thank you for caring!
Okaloosa County made 2.2 billion dollars in 2025 tourist season and that was with a 5% drop in tourists coming here the first quarter. Let that sink in after what I said in my message above. And those seasonal workers making those numbers possible are living paycheck to paycheck and getting utilities raised and financially pushed out of town. Look around really see what is going on folks. Lay down and take it or stand up for what is right and fair. just sayin.
Great pictures! Now add a parking lot for 100 cars to the area being purchased and let’s get an idea what it will look like when done.