The $5 million expansion of the Galvez Landing boat launch has been dropped from Amendment 4 for the RESTORE funding plan, and public beach access has been retained. Read Agenda Item.
This is a massive victory for the residents, who saw the area as “one of the most sacred heartbeat places of our community.”
- Hearing of the news late yesterday afternoon, Leigh Hirs Carrington posted on the “I Love Innerarity Point” Facebook page: “Hallelujah and praise baby Jesus! This is the news we needed!”
This is also a victory for those who fought for years for more public beach access on Perdido Key. Commissioner Steve Stroberger should be commended for listening to the residents who spoke at his town hall on June 30.
Background
At his June 30 town hall, Commissioner Stroberger encountered fierce opposition to his support of the $5 million Galvez Landing expansion project. What began as a confident defense of the RESTORE-funded initiative quickly devolved into uncertainty as residents made their voices heard.
Stroberger initially maintained that residents “might not understand” the project, explaining he was briefed on it after his election and thought it sounded beneficial. However, the community’s response was swift and unified. Residents argued that the boat ramp area was perfect “as-is” and questioned whether the commissioner truly understood its current use and value.
The pushback clearly caught Stroberger off guard. He emphasized that the project wasn’t his creation, noting it was staff-identified and had support from other commissioners. He defended the expansion’s goals of improving access, safety, drainage, and water quality, sharing personal anecdotes about enjoying ice cream there with his grandchildren.
Yet as more residents spoke against the project, Stroberger’s certainty wavered. By the meeting’s end, he acknowledged the need to “reevaluate” the project, suggesting perhaps there were “too many parking spots” planned.
The commissioner’s willingness to change his position underscores the power of community engagement and the importance of public input in local government decisions that affect cherished neighborhood spaces.