Walton BCC approves South Walton parking garages

[bob bob]

At their recent regular meeting, the Walton County Board of County Commissioners approved funding for a parking garage in south Walton.

Chief Financial Officer Melissa Thomason asked that the board approve
two funding agreements – one for the proposed Grayton Beach Parking
Facility in the amount of $4,996,200 and the other for the proposed 393
Municipal Parking Facility in the amount of $2,077,700. That brings the
total amount to $7,073,900, which will be added into this year’s budget.

Walton County Tourism Beach Operations Director Brian Kellenberger
explained the project, which is designed to help reduce the growing parking
problems for residents and visitors.

“These are our two parking projects
we’ve been working on for a couple of years now for design and permit,” he
said. “One is at Hwy. 282 and the other is at Hwy. 393.”

When Commissioner Donna Johns asked how many new parking spots
each facility would provide, Director Kellenberger noted that the Grayton
project would offer 168 parking spots and the Hwy. 393 facility would yield
88 new spots.

“I, for one, am really happy to see some parking (relief projects) going on,
so I thank you for that,” said Commissioner Johns. “I appreciate it. I think
it’s time.”

When the vote was taken, the funding was approved unanimously.

 

[Matt J]

Not sure where the garage thing came from, both of these are surface lots.

 

[bob bob]

Not sure where the garage thing came from, both of these are surface lots.

And yet the press release email I got is what I posted. What is 7 million dollars for?

 

[Matt J]

And yet the press release email I got is what I posted. What is 7 million dollars for?

Since you never link or source these one has to assume that you are creating them.

 

[bob bob]

Updated press release....

Ron Kelley

Public Information Officer

Walton County Board of County Commissioners

Administrative Office


At their recent regular meeting, the
Walton County Board of County Commissioners approved funding for two
parking garages in south Walton.

Chief Financial Officer Melissa Thomason asked that the board approve
two funding agreements – one for the proposed Grayton Beach Parking
Facility in the amount of $4,996,200 and the other for the proposed 393
Municipal Parking Facility in the amount of $2,077,700.

That brings the
total amount to $7,073,900, which will be added into this year’s budget.
The projects (land acquisition and development) are completely funded by
Tourist Development Tax. These projects are funded exclusively through a
tourist development tax, or bed tax, which is collected from visitors on
short-term lodging rentals of six months or less.

Locals do not pay a bed tax
unless they are taking a "staycation" ; in local accommodations. The bed tax
collected south of the Choctawhatchee Bay (south Walton County) is 5
percent and north of the Bay it is 3 percent.

Walton County Tourism Beach Operations Director Brian Kellenberger
explained the project, which is designed to help reduce the growing parking
problems for residents and visitors. “These are our two parking projects
we’ve been working on for a couple of years now for design and permit,” he
said. “One is at Hwy. 283 and the other is at Hwy. 393.”

When Commissioner Donna Johns asked how many new parking spots
each facility would provide, Director Kellenberger noted that the Grayton
project would offer 168 parking spots and the Hwy. 393 facility would yield
88 new spots.

“I, for one, am really happy to see some parking (relief projects) going on,
so I thank you for that,” said Commissioner Johns. “I appreciate it. I think
it’s time.”

When the vote was taken, the funding was approved unanimously.

 

[Matt J]

Jere are the plans as of January 19 if you click on the blue links that's what's been submitted to planning:

South Walton Beach Access Updates January 2024

The Grayton Beach Community Center is located at 44 Hotz Avenue in Grayton Beach. The design has been completed and the application for the Development Order has been submitted. Once completed, the 1,600 +/- square foot building will house a local information station, restrooms, observation...

sowal.com

 

[Insider123]

Why not put the money into actually completing road projects.

 

[Ken]

Why not put the money into actually completing road projects.

Tourist tax dollars are restricted.

But the real answer is that road building is never meant to be finished. Do JUST enough and keep the machine rolling. Although JUST enough is often not enough, people tend get to where they're going relatively safely.

 

[Matt J]

Tourist tax dollars are restricted.

But the real answer is that road building is never meant to be finished. Do JUST enough and keep the machine rolling. Although JUST enough is often not enough, people tend get to where they're going relatively safely.

The never ending lack of civics education in this country is amazing.