TDC Asks for Public Input - Huettel/Kellogg properties

[GoodWitch58]

The TDC is asking for Public Input on these two projects.

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/article/13681

SANTA ROSA BEACH — The brown waters of Choctawhatchee Bay lapped against a wooden sea wall at Patricia Kellogg’s old home on Nellie Drive, while pine trees swayed Tuesday morning in the stiff breeze rushing over the water.

Kellogg’s property — about 12 acres — was donated to Walton County. The county is looking for the community’s help to decide what should be done with Kellogg’s acreage, along with another parcel of more than three acres on Hogtown Bayou.

Tiffany McCaskill, manager of new product development for the Tourist Development Council, said there is a basic outline in place for the two properties, but the community is needed to iron out the final wrinkles.

The property on Hogtown Bayou is next door to Cessna Park and used to be an art and antique store, McCaskill said. The county bought the land from Chick Huettel for about $1.3 million in 2007.

The TDC will hold two “visioning” meetings at the Huettel property: one on May 8 from 5 to 7 p.m. for the neighbors near both parcels, and another on May 9 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for county officials and various cultural and civic groups.

“We want to use these (parcels) to attract our visitors as well as our residents,” McCaskill said.

The plan for the Huettel property is to have an arts and cultural center there. Several buildings occupying the property will be used for different arts and cultural events and meetings, McCaskill said.

At the back of the property, porches offer unobstructed views of the marsh that stretches to Hogtown Bayou and Choctawhatchee Bay beyond.

TDC member Maurice Gilbert said he’s been coming to the Huettel property for years.

“This place has so much potential,” he said. “It’s amazing. I’m very interested in how it develops.”

About a mile and a half east, the Kellogg property sits on prime waterfront real estate. McCaskill said that Kellogg’s deed stipulates the property has to be used for nature and wildlife education.

Chainsaws could be heard from the woods Tuesday as trails were cut through the 12 acres.

The first phase of development includes nature trails, parking and stormwater management. There are two homes on the property. One will be torn down because it will cost too much to bring up to code, McCaskill said. The other, which Kellogg lived in on the bay, is in limbo, and its fate will be decided through the visioning meetings.

Gilbert said that ecology-based tourism is something the TDC is looking into, and the Kellogg property is perfect for it.

“These off-the-beach attractions are more and more” important, he said. “We are so blessed in this area to have so many places like this.”

 

[organicmama]

Thanks for posting! I heard this on the radio this morning & knew I wouldn't remember to post it.

 

[Jennifer Steele]

It is EXTREMELY important for all arts, culture and nature based organizations to have a representative present for the Friday visioning session. Let them know you are coming, though. Call Melinda at the TDC (267.1216) to RSVP.

 

[BeachSiO2]

You can also go to the monthly TDC New Product Development Committee meeting at the TDC Conference Room at 9am on the second Tuesday of every month. This committee is primarily responsible for the TDC's "off the beach" programs and projects that includes the development of these two properties.

You can also call Tiffany McCaskill directly as she enjoys talking about these programs and is very generous with her time. The TDC's phone number is (850) 267-1216. You could also email her at tmccaskill@beachesofsouthwalton.com
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In case you're interested in other TDC Committee or Council meeting times, you can check out the following information:

http://www.partners.beachesofsouthwalton.com/meetinginfo/meeting_info.aspx

Please note that you can always confirm meeting dates and times by calling the TDC. For example, the May meeting for the Beach Management Committee is on May 15th at 8:30am instead of May 8th.

 

[ShallowsNole]

Didn't the building that the Huettels used for their store have some historical significance? Or was it a replica?

 

[DuneLaker]

The Huettel property does have significant historical importance to Walton County. Protecting the heritage and history of Walton is very important. With every $10 spent on History and Heritage tourism, $100 is returned as reported by Carter Quina of Quina Grundhoefer Architects at the recent Pensacola Historical Society's annual business meeting. The Walton County TDC would be wise to include history and heritage in reaching a world of interested toursits seeking authentic vacation experiences. In addition, archeologists in the area have noted ancient canals (Walker's Canal for example) in the area connecting the bay to coastal dune lakes. There are many reasons to develop gently and not overly develop as some have expressed concern about in the Morrison Springs area. Walton County should promote culture, arts and the history of the area. For those working and not able to attend the meeting, there was a web site provided by the TDC for input. If that is no longer active, I'm sure Tiffany at the TDC would take calls or input by phone or email.

 

[wrobert]

The Huettel property does have significant historical importance to Walton County. Protecting the heritage and history of Walton is very important. With every $10 spent on History and Heritage tourism, $100 is returned as reported by Carter Quina of Quina Grundhoefer Architects at the recent Pensacola Historical Society's annual business meeting. The Walton County TDC would be wise to include history and heritage in reaching a world of interested toursits seeking authentic vacation experiences. In addition, archeologists in the area have noted ancient canals (Walker's Canal for example) in the area connecting the bay to coastal dune lakes. There are many reasons to develop gently and not overly develop as some have expressed concern about in the Morrison Springs area. Walton County should promote culture, arts and the history of the area. For those working and not able to attend the meeting, there was a web site provided by the TDC for input. If that is no longer active, I'm sure Tiffany at the TDC would take calls or input by phone or email.

Then if we would just dedicate 10 million dollars to history tourism we could quit levying ad valoreum taxes. I like the way you think.

 

[rapunzel]

Interesting. Wasn't this property known by another name? And wasn't it purchased for the sole purpose of keeping it from being developed? Or am I thinking of another antiques/crafts store with historic significance?

I wish I had realized what the Huettel/Kellogg properties were at the last TDC meeting. The consultant who gave the presentation to the TDC board re: PR and marrying their mission to that of the BCC is heavily involved in this project. She struck me as very South Florida in her thinking.

 

[SHELLY]

No good comes out of "visioning" meetings...mark my words--you heard it here first.


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[GoodWitch58]

Interesting. Wasn't this property known by another name? And wasn't it purchased for the sole purpose of keeping it from being developed? Or am I thinking of another antiques/crafts store with historic significance?

I wish I had realized what the Huettel/Kellogg properties were at the last TDC meeting. The consultant who gave the presentation to the TDC board re: PR and marrying their mission to that of the BCC is heavily involved in this project. She struck me as very South Florida in her thinking.

This "South Florida in her thinking" may be part of the problem many of us see with some of the things done by the TDC. The consultants see the project and tend to work it as they have other projects. Because the consultant may have limited knowledge --at best--about this area, they are working in a vacuum.--it's just one more project to them. Maybe it's time the TDC staff took a more assertive stand in how the work is done. People on staff are much more knowledgeable about the whole area.

Perhaps we will get a more integrated approach to marketing the total area if the staff is more involved and the consultant is used to consult with; but not given the authority to do the whole project.

I still think it is important for residents to attend the "visioning" meeting, although I tend to agree with Shelly's opinion (above) of these meetings. Right now, it's all we have; and the TDC is asking for public input this time!