Clarion owners losing patience with approval process at SRIA
BY FRANKLIN HAYES Gulf Breeze News franklin@gulfbreezenews.com

Developers are hoping plans for the former Clarion site on Pensacola Beach will finally move forward. Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA) members promised developers a vote for conceptual approval of a fractional resort at the former Clarion site, which was destroyed by hurricane Ivan. SRIA members heard presentations from Gulf Winds Management and JME Realty before approving a motion to vote at their next meeting on June 13.

"We've been working with them for a month so it's good to see an end date to make a decision," said Olga Dancaescu with JME Realty, who is representing the project's developers. "We've been as forthcoming as physically possible."

Current project plans call for a 19-story building with an average room size of 1,289 feet. Amenities for the proposed resort include a lazy river style pool and a spa.

"The owners of this parcel, all 84 of them, have suffered enough after Hurricane Ivan destroyed their investment," said Gulf Winds Management representative Lucian Dancaescu. "The SRIA has delayed them time after time and now are putting the potential sale of this property in jeopardy."

Board members expressed their interest in the project, but said their negotiations to categorize commercial developments are slowing its progress.

"[The developers] all know that we like the product a lot," said SRIA board member Kelly Robertson. "It's a beautiful building. We think it's a wonderful concept. The question is whether or not it fits here. That is the only question in my opinion. It's whether or not this will qualify under dwelling units, whether or not it will qualify under the guidelines that we set forth for what we want in hotels."

SRIA members are currently working to develop standards for standard hotel rooms, luxury hotel suites and extended stay facilities. Board members hope the definitions will allow a variety of lodging amenities on the beach and establish a lease fee structure that seeks to protect SRIA revenues.