Escambia County’s two new commissioners have an affinity for operating outside the sunshine. District 4 Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger ordered county
- Hofberger rushed her pet project and avoided any public input, only to see her design ideas blasted by the public.
District 1 Commissioner Steve Stroberger canceled a $2.8 million RESTORE project that would have constructed additional public access on Perdido Key, where current public access points are routinely overwhelmed.
- Less than year after the county commission approved Amendment 3, Stroberger pushed staff to drop the project and resurrect a five-year-old project to expand the Galvez Landing boat launch.
Stroberger will have to defend his unilateral decision tonight for the first time at his town hall. The reason for dropping beach access given in Amendment 4 is: “Due to the property owner’s desire to sell at a price far above its appraised value, the County has decided that the purchase of the property would not be a prudent use of RESTORE Direct Component funds.”
- The commissioner will need to prove that statement tonight.
Background
Description of the beach access project:
Planning Assistance $147,600
Property Acquisition $2.75 million
Escambia County has prioritized enhancing public access to the Gulf of Mexico. The Perdido Key Beach Public Access Project is a land acquisition and construction activity that will fund the land purchase and eventual building of public infrastructure improvements designed through Pot 1 Project RDCGR080411-01-00. These improvements will facilitate public access to the Gulf of Mexico, attract additional people to the community, and enhance the economy.
Potential amenities include public parking and a dune walkover with observation platform. Undeveloped areas may be enhanced through habitat restoration to maximize benefits to the endangered Perdido Key beach mouse. A near-shore artificial reef may be designed and permitted for increased recreational opportunities and to improve fishery habitat for snorkeling, diving or fishing. Public access infrastructure provides access to the artificial reef, allowing for the resources to be enjoyed by the public.
Hub Stacey has a project ready to go adjacent to Galvez Landing. He has been sitting on it for six years. See plans.
- One More Thing: Before any project is approved, the county should have UWF check out the site. The name “Galvez Landing” may be tied a possible landing of Galvez on the site.
Commissioner Steve Stroberger has had several initiatives since taking office in November 2024, with mixed results:
- Selling OLF-8 to Fred Hemmer – Failed
- Moving Poker Room owned by the Poarch Creek Tribe to a site closer to I-10 —Success
- Using Tourist Development Revenue Funds for Chappie James
MemorialPlazaOutdoor Museum – in Limbo - Drop RESTORE project for Public Access at Perdido Key and replace with an expanded boat launch at Galvez Landing to help developer – TBA
TOWN HALL
District 1 Commissioner Steve Stroberger will hold a town hall today, Monday, June 30 at 5 p.m. at Liberty Church, located at 2221 S. Blue Angel Parkway. Residents are invited and encouraged to attend.
During the town hall, Commissioner Stroberger will discuss Sorrento Road and the proposed Galvez Landing Boat Ramp Project. Escambia County staff will be in attendance to address any comments or concerns from residents. This meeting will be streamed live on the Escambia County YouTube channel.
For more information, please contact the Office of District 1 at 850-595-4910.