Miramar Beach parking design first of its kind

DESTIN, FL - When hurricane Dennis roared through the area in 2005, he left behind a big problem for Pompano Joe's restaurant on Old U.S. Highway 98. The beach access and parking next door was destroyed.

Now rebuilt by the Walton County Tourist Development Council (TDC), the new beach access and 86 of the 141 parking spaces planned will reopen on March 9, providing free public parking and restrooms.

"The TDC has been working diligently to reopen this regional public beach access and is currently ahead of schedule," said Sonny Mares, executive director, Walton County TDC. "We're looking forward to the completion of the new parking lot, which will provide ample parking for our guests to access the beach."

"We're optimistic that it's going to help our business and we've enjoyed working with the county," said John Comer, President of Southern Restaurants Group, the owner of Pompano Joe's. "It's built better this time," he added, noting, "This is the most-used beach access."

David Sells,beach maintenance manager of Walton County Tourism Development Council, believes that the new construction is the first-ever such design on a beach.

"I'm excited about it. The design is basically that of a bridge, not a slab on grade," said Sells. "It sits on pylons and if a storm robs it of the sand, it can be replaced."

Beachgoers will access the beach at the east end of Pompano Joe's. Construction to the parking lot west of the restroom facility will continue. During the final stage of construction, hours of construction are limited to 7 a.m. to 6 p.m,. Monday through Friday, and may result in limiting traffic to one lane during certain times.