TDC releases recommendations for Huettel property
TDC releases recommendations for Huettel property
By Deborah Wheeler
debbie_wheeler@link.freedom.com
Walton County Tourist Development Council has released recommendations from a University of Florida visioning report on the Kellogg-Huettel properties in South Walton.
The two parcels of land belong to Walton County. Pat Kellogg donated the 10-acre Kellogg property to the county in 2004 with stipulations that it is made into a nature preserve.
The county bought the 3.5-acre bay-front Huettel property at Hogtown Bayou last year.
While plans for the Kellogg property have been more clear cut, speculation and questions have surrounded proposed use of the Huettel property, formerly Bayou Arts & Antiques.
Various groups have expressed an interest in the property due to its panoramic and ecologically pristine location at the site of historic Old Town Santa Rosa.
The Board of County Commissioners entrusted the TDC with overseeing the property, which has been rented to artist groups and Boy Scouts when requested.
Some members of the community feel the TDC is dragging its feet in making a decision on what to do with the property. In the meantime, it has become overgrown with weeds and some express concern it could fall into disrepair.
Tiffany McCaskill, project development manager with the TDC, said that as a government agency which must go through all bureaucratic steps, the TDC is moving as quickly as it can.
A meeting was held July 9 for the community to hear findings of the UF study. However, most attending the meeting went away frustrated.
"We thought we were going to hear specifics, but we didn't," complained incoming Cultural Arts Association president Christine Burroughs. "When we asked about specifics, we were told it was in the full report, but the report was not made available to us."
McCaskill said she was waiting on TDC director Sonny Mares approval before making the full report available. She said it would be posted on the TDC partners' Web site (www.partners.beachesofsouthwalton.com) by this weekend.
The key findings of the report validate the desire to keep the Huettel property focused on culture, including the visual arts, history and community.
In addition to community uses, the report also recommends using the property's assets to generate out-of-area interest by providing a unique cultural-historic experience for visitors.
It recommends the TDC oversee the property to ensure equal access to all interested groups.
The report suggests accomplishing this through site improvements, support and marketing of the property in Phase I and in Phase II, expanding the center to add a dedicated historical wing of marine exhibits from the region.
Susan Lucas, board member of the Cultural Arts Association said, "It's was so frustrating to have to go through the bureaucratic process when Bayou Arts & Antiques is ready to be used now except for a few improvements. CAA has offered to manage it. Someone needs to be onsite and we have 1.5 paid employees who could do that. The TDC hasn't responded. They don't want it managed by any one group."
Chick and Cathy Huettel bought property in the late 1970s and sold it to the county in March 2007.
Volunteers have gone out to the property twice and spent time cleaning up the grounds.
"It's a lovely, beautiful, charming property that's falling into ruin. The TDC sent beach maintenance out to do a little yard work, but a lot of volunteer effort has been put into it. Their timeline is so slow. It's very frustrating. We want to form a friends group like Friends of Eden. If we wait for them to do it, no telling when it will be," said Lucas.
Burroughs echoed her sentiments.
"I was very disappointed there were no specific timelines given. I want to see it become a historical museum with classroom space. I would like to have trails wind around the property with information about the property. Quilters or Snowbirds could use it. It's another jewel in Walton County. The TDC is focused heads in beds. They're into tourists. They're not interested in locals or what happens to the property," she said.
McCaskill said the recommendations from the report would go before the BCC at the Aug. 12 at 4 p.m. in South Walton.
