State of the Island is strong, Manager reports
BY LISA NEWELL Gulf Breeze News lisa@gulfbreezenews.com

Two and a half years after the first of two hurricanes hit Pensacola Beach, the island is recovering nicely, according to officials.

"2006 was a great year and brought forth the re-emergence of Pensacola Beach from the post-hurricane doldrums to a new rebirth of the island," Santa Rosa Island Authority General Manager Buck Lee stated in his annual "State of the Island" report, which was presented at the SRIA board meeting on January 10.

He cited a strong fiscal condition, remarkable in that only two-thirds of the hotel rooms were able to be occupied due to hurricane damage from Ivan, which hit on Sept. 15, 2004 and Dennis, which hit on July 10, 2005.

Lee pointed to other symbols of recovery:

Beach renourishment, originally started in 2003, was finally completed.

Fort Pickens Road is resurfaced and bike path is complete. Underground utilities are set to be complete by April. Lights should be installed by June.

Twenty-four dune walkovers are due to be completed by June of this year

Portofino buildings four and five are complete.

Emerald Dolphin and Beach Club Towers are set for completion in March

A permanent restaurant at the Casino Beach Pier should begin construction in spring.

Hilton Tower should be complete in spring.

There were no drownings on Pensacola Beach in 2006.

The redesign of the Quietwater parking lot is set for completion in April

The new restroom/public safety facility on Casino Beach should be complete by June.

Four-laning on Via de Luna will be finished in August.

The toll facility should be repaired within a few weeks

Repair to Morgan Park, Ft. Pickens Gate Park, Little Quietwater Beach, Casino Beach, Cowley Park, Avenida 10 Park and Park East is ongoing and should be complete in 2007.

Island beautification efforts, including installing landscaping on Via de Luna, will be accomplished when construction is complete.

New street signs will be installed in 2007.

Multi-use recreational paths should be restored this year

Efforts to improve water quality in Little Sabine Bay should begin this year

Turtle monitoring programs are ongoing to ensure species safety.

Several motel sites indicate they will expand in the next few years.