Okaloosa buys former Red Lobster site near Liza Jackson Park for $3.5 million; museum use discussed

The Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners approved a unanimous motion Tuesday to purchase 1.84 acres of waterfront property at 326 Miracle Strip Parkway for $3,500,000 to expand waterfront amenities near Liza Jackson Park.

Department of Business Director Craig Coffey told the board the building is in reasonable condition, includes more than 100 parking spaces and about 150 feet of water frontage, and sits outside the mapped FEMA floodplain for the structure. A recent appraisal valued the property at $3,750,000; the county’s negotiated purchase price was $3,500,000.

Why it matters: Coffey and other presenters said the site could support a museum — including discussion of exhibiting the SS United States — or serve as a demonstration kitchen, small charter hub, event space, or other tourism amenity that leverages the nearby park renovation. Coffey said purchase and master‑planning funds do not include construction of docks or major redevelopment; any specific reuse would return to the board for approval.

What commissioners discussed: commissioners described the parcel as a strategic tourism asset adjacent to improvements at Liza Jackson Park and noted the purchase would be funded with tourism development dollars. Several commissioners said the site would serve visitors and locals. Commissioner Ketchum emphasized that bed‑tax (TDT/TDD) revenue is dedicated to tourism promotion and related capital projects.

Next steps: staff said funds requested include money for immediate due diligence and master planning; the county will return with reuse plans and any required design and construction requests for board approval.

Speakers quoted in this article are limited to those who presented or spoke when the Miracle Strip property was discussed.