AIR FORCE RESORT ON OKALOOSA ISLAND MOVING FORWARD

As I have noted in previous weeks, the Planned Military Resort on Okaloosa Island is alive and well. Many thanks to the Military Officer's Association is making it known that this parcel of land would be a great place for our service men and women from around the country to spend time with their families after the many deployments being placed on them. Also, this will draw all military, active, retired and reservist, to this area to enjoy the many things it has to offer. As I have mentioned before, there is more more on the horizon coming to our area.


Eglin: Build Air Force resort on Okaloosa Island
Andrew Gant
January 22, 2009 - 4:45PM

OKALOOSA ISLAND - Eglin Air Force Base officials say their piece of valuable beachfront property here is "underutilized," but a 17-acre military resort on it "could provide a steady income stream."
In a pair of drafts released Wednesday, the Air Force presented its Emerald Breeze Resort proposal as the best possible use for Test Site A-5, a long-coveted but mostly bare parcel next to the Four Points By Sheraton hotel on Okaloosa Island.
"The resort is expected to be a commercial hotel that caters to the military but is open to the public," Mike Spaits, spokesman for Eglin's 96th Air Base Wing, said in a press release.
The A-5 property has about 600 feet of shoreline on the Gulf of Mexico, bookended by resorts. All that stands behind its fences today is an access road leading to a small storage building with antennae and other utilities - which are only "occasionally used to support test missions," the Air Force said in a 180-page environmental assessment.
But the military imagines a 250-room resort "similar in size and facilities" to the rest of the properties along U.S. Highway 98, including parking, restaurants, bars, swimming pools and some shopping. Alternative energy and other green features would be required "wherever feasible," according to the Air Force's plan.
It has been an interesting several years for Test Site A-5.
As part of the Air Force's 215-acre "Dunes Parcel" - previously valued at $730 million - the test site was once rumored to be part of a proposed land swap between the Air Force and Niceville developer Stephen Alford. For his part, Alford offered acreage in Taylor County for a missile and bomb test range for Eglin. In return, Eglin's beach land would be open for development.
But Alford defrauded investors in the deal, taking an estimated $12 million even though there was no swap. He's since been sentenced to federal prison.
Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller introduced legislation to require all of Eglin's "surplus" beach property to fall under protection as part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. There would be no more talk of swapping.
For Eglin, the resort idea followed.
"Most of the rooms at the resort will be for public use, with a select number of room blocks dedicated for DOD and USAF personnel," according to a "Finding of No Significant Impact" drafted by the Air Force. Part of the rooftop would be secured and reserved for military receivers, sensor equipment and offices to keep A-5 operational.
Under the proposal, the Air Force would contract with a private developer to build and run the resort. Similar military lodges exist at Walt Disney World in Orlando, on Waikiki in Hawaii and in the German Alps.
Eglin officials say no Environmental Impact Statement was necessary because any potential harm to the beach would be minor. Eglin did release summaries of its environmental studies.
Construction could affect essential sand dunes. The Air Force said a restoration plan must be approved in case the dune system is degraded.
The project also must account for existing wetlands and areas where sea turtles hatch.
Spaits said the Air Force will accept public comments on the proposal until March 12. The documents are available here, at www.eglin.af.mil or at libraries in Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Navarre and Crestview.