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City of Destin Harbor CRA board approves comprehensive work plans, green-shoreline pilot at Clement Taylor Park
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Summary
The City of Destin Harbor Community Redevelopment Agency board approved a package of harbor work plans covering breakwater design, an oyster-gardening living shoreline pilot at Clement Taylor Park, a mooring-field study and a proposed camera system; the board directed staff to pursue funding and to return with details. A resolution was also approved to keep Harbor CRA fundraising within the harbor account, as allowed by state law.
The City of Destin Harbor Community Redevelopment Agency board voted to approve a consolidated set of harbor work plans on March 1, 2026, directing staff and volunteer committees to advance designs, funding searches and permitting for prioritized projects including breakwaters, an oyster-gardening living shoreline pilot at Clement Taylor Park, a harbor mooring-field study and a linked camera system.
John Stevens, chairman of the Harbor CRA, presented a packet of work-plan chapters and asked the board for a status check and a path to funding, saying the packet was intended to start the work and that staff would help the committees pursue grants and professional assistance. "A lot of this is just a guideline of my thoughts," Stevens said as he handed out plan materials and asked staff to provide an update at the next meeting.
Miss Trammell, who moved approval of the combined plans, said the board will meet quarterly and that committees may return with refinements or emergency requests between quarters. "If they want to apply for a grant and it has to be in by next month, then come next week," she said, describing the approval as the start of an iterative process.
The approved package identified initial priorities the board highlighted during discussion. Board members flagged two near-term priorities: the harbor mooring field (agenda item 6D) and the camera system (6E). One board member urged the CRA to rank projects by priority so staff and TDC representatives can focus limited funds. Another board member emphasized that, because the CRA had not produced work plans or an annual report in over three years, the agency was restarting its programmatic work.
As part of the discussion, Stevens introduced a pilot living-shoreline project using vertical oyster gardens at Clement Taylor Park. Allison McDowell, who identified herself as executive director of the Talkitachi Basin Alliance and offered the group's assistance, said the oyster stock for vertical gardens is available and that the pilot would protect swim areas and could become a learning site for beginner snorkelers. "I'm always here as a resource and support for anything we could do for our local waterways," McDowell said.
Board members repeatedly cautioned that breakwater design and placement require engineering and permitting because currents, salinity and wave energy can shift erosion patterns. One member warned that poorly designed breakwaters could increase downstream erosion and that historic salinity at some proposed sites had previously limited oyster plantings. McDowell noted multiple design options (limestone piles, modular reef units) and said design choices would determine permitting requirements and cost.
On the mooring field, board members discussed alternative upland support sites (Joe's Bayou, the old concrete plant, Marler Bayou) and whether upland facilities (bathrooms, utility hookups, parking) would be required if the mooring field remained at 1 Harbor. Concerns included proximity to residents and the need to control harbor traffic rather than leaving mooring unregulated.
Staff provided an update on the East Pass Bridge: Larry (staff) read an email from Brandon Bruce at DOT stating the Department has halted the East Pass Bridge Replacement PD&E study, that future replacement phases remain unfunded, and that DOT plans to pursue study/design work to rehabilitate the existing bridge and increase its service life.
The board also discussed a proposed harbor camera system and asked staff to consult the sheriff about potential partnership or cost-sharing; board members said sheriff participation could make camera installation feasible this year.
Separately, Miss Trammell proposed a resolution to ensure any fundraising or donations specifically raised for Harbor CRA projects remain within the Harbor CRA account rather than being routed into the city's general fund or debt service. Board members noted the need to tie any restriction to what is permitted by state law; the resolution was approved with that caveat.
The board also voted to adjust leadership for the April 6, 2026 meeting while the current chair is out of the country: the board approved having Sandy serve as CRA board chair for that meeting and moving the current chair to mayor pro tem to maintain continuity.
The board encouraged the committees to return with refined, single-page overviews for each project (the "one-pager") that staff and the CRA can use to prioritize grant applications and budget requests. Lance Johnson, vice chair of the CRA committee, thanked council and John Stevens for improving committee quorum and coordination and urged continued staff support for grants and intercommittee collaboration.
Next steps: staff will provide requested updates (including TDC funding status for the seawall at 1 Harbor and whether the sheriff will partner on the camera system), committees will refine one-page summaries and cost/permit needs, and the CRA will track progress on a quarterly schedule. The board approved the consolidated plans and associated resolution by voice votes and directed staff to proceed.
