Okaloosa County approved a $3 million plan to build a public waterfront park. They expect the park to address the high demand for public water access and to boost tourism and economic development. The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport received a $4 million contract to replace three jet bridges. They also received a $3 million grant to install a fourth jet bridge in the future.
The county and city pledged $26.5 million to have more public access to beaches in Destin. One of the projects, Tarpon Beach Park, a 340-foot beachfront park, is expected to open in May 2024. The City of Destin invested $9 million into a property for future development. They are opening ideas up to the public, potentially to be an amphitheater or marina.
