By Patricia Lee, Owner Destinites.com
Destin City Councilor, Kevin Schmidt reached out to locals in our Facebook Destinites private group (www.Facebook.com/Destinites) to let us know that the council was seeking to buy the vacant lot next to Marlar’s Bridge. In his statement to the group he said, “In case you haven’t heard yet, the City of Destin is trying to buy this parcel!!! (Picture was provided of the lot). I believe this will be coming back to council at least one more time!! If you feel strongly about Destin preserving this property and protecting it from what it COULD become, I would ask you to send your support to council@cityofdestin.com as well as come to the meeting if/when it comes up again! If you have any questions, please reach out!” Ok locals, let your voice be heard!
The reaction of the locals was overwhelmingly in favor of Destin taking possession of the parcel. Some members wanted to know what the city planned to do with the property should they gain ownership but Councilman Schmidt said they had not gotten quite that far in their planning but that he has some ideas of his own. You are welcome to express your own ideas by writing to the email listed above or attending the next council meeting.
Here are some comments and concerns expressed by locals in the Destinites group:
1. “I would love for the city to buy it but that price tag!”
2. “Please, please, not a parking garage.”
3. “Yes, very cool! That’s a wonderful thing! Totally support that action. Thank you Kevin for letting us know!!”
4. “I hope they buy it. If they don’t, it will be a carwash.”
Kevin’s response: “hahahaha…..although, that might be the world’s coolest car wash!”
5. “The city needs to buy this property to save it from some terrible hotel being built there. Lets do something for the local people of Destin and not just the tourists.”
The owner of the parcel is seeking 10 million. Destin City Council voted 5 to 2 to approve an offer of up to 8.5 million. The property was purchased on June 17, 2022 by BK of Destin, Inc. for $5,500,000. The city’s appraisal of the property is 7.9 million. City Council is now waiting for a response from the owner. Whatever is decided will ultimately affect the visual impression of Destin, as people cross the bridge coming into the city. Let’s hope that if the City gains ownership, they will let the people vote on what they think should be done with the property.
If you are a Destin resident or in the close surrounding area, I invite you to join our private group at www.Facebook.com/Destinites with more than 8,200 members (Est. Oct. 2018).
Check out our monthly newsletter and sponsored local business directory at www.Destinites.com. Directory sponsors are allowed to advertise in our group.
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