Misc St. Joe and CAA Adding Park and Events Venue to Watersound Origins

[Mike Jones]

We've long needed a large outdoor event venue with parking. The county is working to develop one on Chat Holley Rd.

Not sure how big the pavilion will be but if it will be anything like Aaron Bessant Park in Panama City Beach then we can have some major events and acts.

Passage Of Time – Art Park – OLI Architecture

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Passage of Time Art Park


Cleared by the committee to move forward to development order consideration was the Passage of Time Art Park. This is a request on behalf of the St. Joe Timberland Company to develop an 84,942-square-foot recreation park and art exhibit on 15.1 acres on the east side of Origins Parkway, north of U.S. 98 in southeastern Walton County.


The development is to include a 717,116-square-foot pavilion, restrooms, trails, and event space. The property is within St. Joe’s Bay-Walton Sector Plan area.


According the the project staff report: “The applicant intends on utilizing this development in partnership with the Walton County Arts Alliance to provide recreational activities to the area. Public events may be held at times as well as maintaining access to the Passage of Time Art exhibit to be on display. The project intends to maintain its land use Open Space/Recreation”


Present on behalf of the applicants was Dillan Clark, a civil engineer with Kimley-Horn. He was confident that all outstanding reviewer comments could be satisfied.


On that basis, the committee approved the project to move forward to development order subject to the planning director’s discretion.

 

[Jane]

Watersound is making moves! This is really big news if it is like Aaron Bessant - a place for music festivals, big acts, boat shows, jazz festival etc.

 

[Matt J]

Watersound is making moves! This is really big news if it is like Aaron Bessant - a place for music festivals, big acts, boat shows, jazz festival etc.

Not even close to Aaron Bessant. South Walton doesn't need boat shows and the jazz festival and it's attendees were treated so badly at Gulf Place they'll likely never be back.

 

[Jane]

Not even close to Aaron Bessant. South Walton doesn't need boat shows and the jazz festival and it's attendees were treated so badly at Gulf Place they'll likely never be back.

Have you seen the design? What will be size and capacity for events? Parking is really the issue at other spots but shouldn't be a problem at Watersound.

 

[Matt J]

Have you seen the design? What will be size and capacity for events? Parking is really the issue at other spots but shouldn't be a problem at Watersound.

Yes, it's in the agenda packet. Parking does not seem to be a major component unless using a field/open space or remote parking, which I'm okay with. The biggest hurdle will be the impact to residents which appears to be minimal if any based on the overall location. Additional parking could easily be added nearby if necessary.