Via de Levin?
Part of Via deLuna renamed for late Portofino developer
BY FRANKLIN HAYES Gulf Breeze News franklin@gulfbreezenews.com

Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA) board members voted to rename portion of Via de Luna Drive after Allen Levin in honor of the late developer who pioneered many projects on the beach over the last 20 years.

A portion of the road from Calle Hermosa to Portofino Drive will be renamed Allen R. Levin Way.

"We consider it an incredible honor," said Teri Levin, whose husband passed away after a heart attack Jan. 12. "I believe that this continues the legacy that he has done. We're very touched, we're very honored as well."

Levin was 62 years old and had battled lung cancer for two years before succumbing to heart disease. Along with the Portofino properties, many credit him in the development of Emerald Isle Resort Condominiums, The Verandas, and the Tristan Towers Condominiums among others. Many people agree that Levin was a major contributor to the modern appeal of the island and those who knew or dealt with him personally also spoke highly of his reputation.

"Allen was a good person to deal with," his brother Fred Levin said. "He would not take advantage of anyone. People who dealt with him always enjoyed dealing with him. As a result, he had tremendous influence on the Island Authority and the people on the island."

Retired Gulf Breeze resident Noah Belew believed Levin was a major player in the push to four lane portions of Via de Luna.

"With Allen's foresight, Pensacola Beach now has quality living accommodations," Belew wrote in a letter to Escambia County Commissioners, who have final say in the renaming effort. "Santa Rosa Island Authority, and Escambia County receive millions of dollars from the byproduct of people living on the beach and from those visiting the sugar-white-sandy beaches of Pensacola Beach."

When Portofino development plans began to take shape nearly a decade

ago, the proposed project was blasted by those who wanted to conserve the beach's natural and serene appeal. Levin caused controversy again with the development of the Sugar Bowl.

"He wasn't always popular at times," said SRIA board member Tammy Bohannon. "But he was well respected even by people who didn't agree with him. He was humble."

That humility is what caused some board members, including Bohannon, to believe that Levin himself wouldn't want a road named in his honor.

"In the short time that I knew Allen he was very quiet and behind the scenes," said SRIA board member Thomas Campanella. "I think he'd be one of those guys that maybe he'd be humble and maybe he wouldn't want something named after him. He always contributed, but he contributed in an unknown way. He wasn't one of those to look for the accolades."

Bohannon added, "I think that he probably wouldn't want this but it's something that we feel that the family deserves."

SRIA board members also voted to develop a resolution to "honor the family for all that they have done in promoting and growing the island over the last 20 years."

Board members hope that residents in the area won't have to change their addresses as many subdivisions there are built around access roads and many properties are not directly located on Via de Luna Drive.

"I think it's great," lifelong beach resident Mark Gedney said in reference to the renaming. "I knew Allen. He was a good person."