Parking situation at Destin Jetties (Discussion)

[SuPrBuGmAn]

I'm sure if we all pooled our entire savings together we should be able to afford about 5 sqft out there.

5sqft of diving heaven

 

[mike_s]

so did anyone get the urge to drop the mayor and council a note?

 

[Trever]

Mike,
Excellent letter you should go into politics, but I am guessing that you are much to wise for that. You are very correct in the fact that access to the Jetties draws in thousands of dollars. I vacation in Destin for the excellent shore diving, and we all know where that is. I could go anywhere in the Pan Handle but choose Destin. My last stay was at Holiday Surf and Racquet Club, even though it is "close" to the Jetties I still have to drive to the jetties and park in the public parking. The walk from Holiday Surf and Racquet Club would be over 1200 yards . It is beneficial for the condo association or whoever it is to make parking more available because knuckleheads like me rent from them and use the Jetties. Many people that use the Jetties have "gear intensive" hobies and cannot carry thier equipment thousands of yards. It just makes sense to improve the parking. It's to bad that the city wimp's out and gives way to the association. I believe that they probaly don't realize what a treasure the jetties are. I will send a letter to the mayor speaking as a tourist, unfortunately they probally listen to tourists more than locals.

Good Luck and good diving.

 

[mike_s]

naw... I couldn't go into politics. i don't kiss *** well at all. I have more of a tendancy to piss them off telling them what I really think.

So.. hopefully you and some others sent in similar letters to the city counciil and mayor?

I was dissappointed to not hear a reply from them yet but it's only been a week and non of them are "full time workers".

 

[photohikedive]

I called public works and talked to one of their manager types there. He said that Holiday Isle "owner association" pretty much controls that area and what goes on. It was there before the city incorporated.

call again, ask who is responsible for ticketing? what are the odds that our little stunt will get us fined?

 

[photohikedive]

we could just buy one of those empty lots and let PHD put his camper on it? I'm betting he'd be game for that, except for the ocassional "hurricane"

you know me, I am always game. I can just dump my waste tank right into thier yards!

 

[photohikedive]

I have more of a tendancy to piss them off telling them what I really think.

you piss me off, without even talking

 

[mike_s]

call again, ask who is responsible for ticketing? what are the odds that our little stunt will get us fined?

I asked him about that 'parking acrobatics' and whether they would ticket for the way you/I parked. He said every now and then the sheriffs office would do it but for the most part they didn't mess with tourists parking unless they had problems (since tourism was their main revenue generator, you didn't want them upset at the city for it).

you piss me off, without even talking

Oh I'm feeling the love.


For those who don't know how crazy Photohikedive parks sometimes, here he is parked at one dive site. However PaulWall didn't like PHD parking on his front porch that much...

 

[photohikedive]

I like to park as close to the fishing/diving site as possible

 

[mike_s]

Well it's been a few months since I posted this and sent the email to the city of Destin.

A few weeks ago I inquired to the Mayor about my first email as I had heard no reply. He did reply to this and apologized for the delay and that he had sent an inquiry to the city engineering department but had not heard a reply yet but would check on it.

Today I got this positive reply from Destin's Mayor that they think it might be possible. It doesn't mean that an increase in parking at the Jetty's beach access is a gdefinate thing, but at least they are taking it under consideration and looking at it, which is all we can ask them to do. So this looks very promising and I'm thankfull they are considering our request.

See his reply below:

-Mike

Subject: RE: Parking issues at Destin west jetties on Gulf Shore Drive
Hi Michael,

I just wanted to give you a quick update on this project. The City Engineer is still working to develop a plan, but by removing the existing landscape material and increasing the apron width of the asphalt, we may be able to accommodate light-angle parking in that ROW.

This is just preliminary and certainly should not be taken as “do-able” at this stage, but your idea does look promising.

I will keep you abreast of the situation as the project moves further along.


My Very Best,

Craig Barker