Okaloosa County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to purchase waterfront property at 326 Miracle Strip Parkway for $3.5 million, with plans to potentially develop it as a museum site.
- The 1.84-acre property, formerly a Red Lobster restaurant, includes 150 feet of water frontage, an 8,469-square-foot building, and over 100 parking spaces. It sits adjacent to Liza Jackson Park, which is currently undergoing major renovations.
Deputy County Administrator Craig Coffey presented the opportunity as part of the county’s long-term efforts to expand waterfront offerings and address tourism demands.
“It’s in a great location, on a highly traveled street,” Coffey told commissioners. “It’s in relatively good shape, even though it’s an older building. It’s been well maintained and kept up well.”
Coffey outlined several potential uses for the property, including a museum, children’s activities through Little Adventures, a demonstration kitchen, a small charter boat hub, and an event rental space. The location also offers opportunities for partnerships with the adjacent Liza Jackson Park.
The property was appraised at $3.75 million, slightly above the negotiated purchase price. Coffey noted that replacing the building alone would cost more than $6 million today.
Commissioner Trey Goodwin, who made the motion to approve the purchase, called it “a great opportunity to continue to serve the tourism function” while also providing “an amenity for locals to enjoy.”
- The acquisition will be funded entirely through tourism development taxes, commonly known as “bed taxes,” which are paid by visitors staying in local accommodations.
“It’s the money that everybody pays when they come to hotels only, and we’re able to utilize some of it for different wonderful things like this purchase,” Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel explained.
While officials have discussed using the site for a museum potentially related to the SS United States ship, Goodwin emphasized that the purchase makes sense regardless of whether that specific project moves forward.
Additional funds have been allocated for master planning and any immediate building repairs. Coffey indicated that specific reuse plans will require future board approval.
14 Responses
They spend 3.75 MILLION dollars of tax payer money and don’t know what they are going to do with the property? If your child came in your home and said something like this to you about money you were giving them would you agree with their decision? Just being a “good deal” does not mean you should buy it. If it’s that great why hasn’t it been snatched up long ago? Something seems shady or better yet fishy!
It’s from the bed tax otherwise known as tourism money from the hotels. It can only be used to promote tourism. There isn’t local taxpayer money.
Tourism increase when you can’t get anywhere by car because of the traffic? Yeah we need more of that.
Oscar, it’s going to be ok. It’s not some random purchase: Its right next to the park property, appraised at higher than they acquired it for, will be used for tourism benefit, and is paid for by tourism tax.
Why not fix the dog parks adjacent to red lobster?
That’s part of Liza Jackson park, which is being renovated. It says it in the article.
I like the idea of it being an event rental space, it would be beautiful for weddings and receptions, but another “charter boat hub”, please quit trying to make Fort Walton another Destin. And anything to do with that that 10 million dollar ship they bought to sink is ridiculous!
No, buying the ship was a great idea and will be a wonderful place to snorkeling, and scuba diving.
I second that thought,
please quit trying to make Fort Walton another Destin. And anything to do with that that 10 million dollar ship they bought to sink is ridiculous!
I agree with the idea of making it an event place. Whether for weddings or parties or businesses that want to hold lectures or meetings.Also a place for groups like the Krewes to use when Mardi Gras or Christmas parades. Museum will come and go then what? Don’t need a boat hub.
Wife and I were thinking of making an offer for the property. What a beautiful home site it would make
I think this is a great idea – unique property with waterfront, adjacent to LJP, on 98 – and built with bed tax dollars to draw more vacationers. Sounds like a win to me!
I used to work at the Red Mobster 15 or more years ago making the biscuits and baking potatoes
My vote is for it to be a public owned event space that can actually be rented out for a reasonable cost to individuals and free for not for profit organization to reserve.