Hilton plans approved for Okaloosa Island

FORT WALTON BEACH - Don't expect Paris and Nicky to become regulars of the Gulf Coast, but plans have been approved for a four-star Hilton resort on Okaloosa Island.

Okaloosa County Commissioners on Tuesday evening unanimously approved plans for the proposed 450-room Hilton Emerald Coast, to be located on the sound-side of U.S. Highway 98, across the street from Beasley Park.

"It's going to be a major enhancement to the area," said Commissioner Bill Roberts. "It looks like you're going to do a great job."

While commissioners did approve the plans for the new Hilton hotel on the island, a development order cannot be issued for the project until developers, Ozean Development, LLC, is issued a permit from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

The developers have tentatively scheduled the groundbreaking and start of construction for the project in February 2009. Construction is expected to take 15 months and a soft opening date of May 15, 2010, has been given.