Alys Beach growth

How many people realize that Jason and his crew are attempting to gain approval to expand development at Alys Beach by over a third? This will continue to put more and more stress on traveling 30 A for the only purpose of putting more cash in thier pockets.

Everything I have seen at Alys Beach on 30-A has encouraged traffic calming, has been aesthetically pleasing, environmentally sound, sustainable, worthy of duplication. I haven't heard about any expansion, so I can't comment on your accuracy, but I would say that Alys Beach has been a compelling reason for the international attention of reknowned architects to come and study it.

Alys Beach is the ONLY development that has spent the time and planning effort to keep traffic off 30-A -- they have bordered 30-A on either side by traffic-calmed two-lane roads for cars.

How many people realize that Jason and his crew are attempting to gain approval to expand development at Alys Beach by over a third? This will continue to put more and more stress on traveling 30 A for the only purpose of putting more cash in thier pockets.

What are you talking about? According to the master plan it's all going to be developed. Is this perhaps just a permitting process to start on buildings on the south side of 30A that was intended and presented at the inception of the project?

What are you talking about? According to the master plan it's all going to be developed. Is this perhaps just a permitting process to start on buildings on the south side of 30A that was intended and presented at the inception of the project?

Yes - although not sure which phase it is.

I'm not sure who Jason and his crew are, but good for them. It seems everyone else has gotten in on the act of pillaging this area for personal and professional gain. 30A has seen better days, regardless of what developers and marketing campaigns tell you. At this point, most of what goes on out here is about jobs and money. Everybody seems to love Rosemary Beach, but a lot of these people didn't see them chain-drag the old growth forest that was there. Was it for money? Was it for a dream or vision? Who cares, it was a sad day.

I'm not sure who Jason and his crew are, but good for them. It seems everyone else has gotten in on the act of pillaging this area for personal and professional gain. 30A has seen better days, regardless of what developers and marketing campaigns tell you. At this point, most of what goes on out here is about jobs and money. Everybody seems to love Rosemary Beach, but a lot of these people didn't see them chain-drag the old growth forest that was there. Was it for money? Was it for a dream or vision? Who cares, it was a sad day.

"Jason and his crew"... Jason Comer founder of Alys Beach.

I love any opportunity that avails itself to talk about those who DO CARE about the environment through responsible building and sustainable practices. So, here's kudos to Alys Beach... It is one of those places where development, commerce, transportation, entertainment and nature co-exist without colliding.

... All of the below is taken directly off the Alys Beach website.
A little research goes a long way... Here's a little info on what the "crew" that is referred to above has done thus far:
A Walkable Layout

I wish Alys Beach nothing but continued success. I think the only thing not sustainable in Alys Beach will be the mortgages. And by the way I know Jason, I just always spoke to him as Mr. Comer.

It is inevitable that these developments which thrive on expansion and control will always find new and resourceful ways and phrases and people to tout their need for expansion. Ultimately the goals of natural coexistence with environment, commerce, transportation, investment, finance, etc., etc., blah blah blah will be smothered by the mother of all factors - return on investment. I see few cars vusing the double car lanes paralelling 30A. It will merely turn this once small, quiet area of beach into another cheek-to-jowl Seaside existence with its crowds, cars and commerce. Just my humble opinion.

If you want to have a fit about developers, there are quite a few I would suggest before Alys Beach.

Alys Beach continuing to slowly develop its original master plan certainly doesn't upset me. They are a great addition to the community.

Other developers clear cut sites, have been fined for a variety of environmental violations, have been involved in election fraud, follow the letter, not the spirit of the law ....................... you get the idea.

I'm not sure who Jason and his crew are, but good for them. It seems everyone else has gotten in on the act of pillaging this area for personal and professional gain. 30A has seen better days, regardless of what developers and marketing campaigns tell you. At this point, most of what goes on out here is about jobs and money. Everybody seems to love Rosemary Beach, but a lot of these people didn't see them chain-drag the old growth forest that was there. Was it for money? Was it for a dream or vision? Who cares, it was a sad day.

Chain drag the Old Growth Forest?? Really? I thought that area was decimated by a forest fire? Never heard about this.. Don't know any developers that would chain drag an old growth forest around here..

Perhaps Alys Beach is trying to acquire that Aquaterra site? THAT would be a blessing--that site is an eyesore. I'd bet $$ that Alys Beach is responsible for painting over (multiple times) the graffiti on the "bridge to nowhere" at Aquaterra.

How do you think all this land was cleared? And the dunes leveled? I've been out this way for over 35 years and I guarantee chain-dragging and bulldozing was the call of the day. Developing land is like making sausage " you may like the result, but you don't want to see it made". My term "old forest growth" was what I called the area between Alys Beach and Rosemary Beach north of the highway. While it may not be the proper term, it was here long before anything else. To destroy our environment, then build it back to be eco-friendly and sustainable is absurd and apparently very expensive. Haven't you seen all the sad,empty developments along 30A? Not good for the environment or the bottom line.

Other purposes

How many people realize that Jason and his crew are attempting to gain approval to expand development at Alys Beach by over a third? This will continue to put more and more stress on traveling 30 A for the only purpose of putting more cash in thier pockets.

I am trying to sympathize, but are there a lot of other motives out there for developers other than making money?

I am like most in that once I got here, I would have loved for the development to have stopped. The people who get here next year are going to be hoping that there is not further development. If it is inevitable, I would prefer something like Alys Beach rather than some of the other catastrophes that I have seen along 30-A.

How do you think all this land was cleared? And the dunes leveled? I've been out this way for over 35 years and I guarantee chain-dragging and bulldozing was the call of the day. Developing land is like making sausage " you may like the result, but you don't want to see it made". My term "old forest growth" was what I called the area between Alys Beach and Rosemary Beach north of the highway. While it may not be the proper term, it was here long before anything else. To destroy our environment, then build it back to be eco-friendly and sustainable is absurd and apparently very expensive. Haven't you seen all the sad,empty developments along 30A? Not good for the environment or the bottom line.

Well, I guess I disagree with your choice of terms. I was employed by Rosemary Beach since there were only 2 houses there and I don't recall anything near an old growth forest. The North side was a desert of dead and burned trees (so much so that all you could see were the lot markers delineating property lines, before any clearing was done) and the south side was populated by sparse scrub oak.
I can see all the "dead in the water" developments and spec homes left for weeds to grow, but I would not compare successful developments like Rosemary Alys and Seaside with these.
And again, to say that "dunes were leveled" is a mystery to me, where??

Chain drag the Old Growth Forest?? Really? I thought that area was decimated by a forest fire? Never heard about this.. Don't know any developers that would chain drag an old growth forest around here..

Unfortunately pretty much every acre of old growth has long since been destroyed by the lumber companies. The only place you'll find it is near the bayou.

destin florida - Google Maps

God doesn't plant trees in straight lines.

It's depressing to look at. 90% of the forest between the Defuniak and the beach was clear cut long ago.

Alys Beach

I'm sure the "master plan" has the mark of being green and enviromentally sensitive and a walkway heaven and haven to wildlife that is cute and non-threatening and non-invasive, but the truth will always be that the need for $$ will far, far out weigh any of those cuddy feelings and drawings and paragraphs in the developers materials. IMHO again. I wish it were not so, but it will be so. Eventually.

If you want to have a fit about developers, there are quite a few I would suggest before Alys Beach.

Alys Beach continuing to slowly develop its original master plan certainly doesn't upset me. They are a great addition to the community.

Other developers clear cut sites, have been fined for a variety of environmental violations, have been involved in election fraud, follow the letter, not the spirit of the law ....................... you get the idea.

I am not saying that Alys Beach is not supposed to make a profit at the end of the day, I am saying that it is ridiculous to be criticizing one of the few developers who is doing a good job when there are so many truly HORRIBLE developers out there RUINING our environment and community in their quest for the dollar.

There is a right and wrong way to go about things - Alys is doing it the right way and should be applauded for that.

lerxst, I have already stated old growth forest was an incorrect term. My apology. When I camped in those very woods many years ago, it was older than anything else around here. Those woods you call a desert of dead and burned trees were more interesting and beautiful than what has been stuck on that site now. What passes for development in these parts is referred to elsewhere as destruction. And as far as dunes, you could literally walk (legally and without hassle) the length of 30A and never step off a dune . I've walked thousands of miles on these beaches and let me tell you things aren't better, despite all the claims and chatter, they are worse. Go find a dune to walk on and let me know where it's at. The few left have to saved, the rest were destroyed or are private. I never thought in my life, we would have to save sand dunes.

I'm sure the "master plan" has the mark of being green and enviromentally sensitive and a walkway heaven and haven to wildlife that is cute and non-threatening and non-invasive, but the truth will always be that the need for $$ will far, far out weigh any of those cuddy feelings and drawings and paragraphs in the developers materials. IMHO again. I wish it were not so, but it will be so. Eventually.

Many locals, and seasonal "guests" (those who own here but don't call this permanent home), have been able to appreciate the income stream that over the past 20 years has paid for services to all. Those services include fire, sewer, water, road, police, etc. Income taxes, sales taxes and property taxes also pay for schools, hospitals and other benign services.

Seasonal owners would complain about all the development, but did they choose to make a living off the sea? I bet not. Their incomes benefited the cities and towns where they call "home." And there is nothing wrong with that, but how do you pay for a "community?"

Unfortunately we didn't get here back in the 1930s when the beach was considered swamp land and everyone thought those who bought it were just plain stupid. They obviously weren't, and we are thankful they did.

It was because of some of those money-loving visionaries that there is a 30-A. It would be so picturesque, and a beautiful fairytale to believe that only a few residents could pay for it all.

I would rather have a responisble, "profitable" developer such as Alys Beach, then watch some of the irresponsible individual builders turn this area into one that won't outlast it's owners.

Not sure why they want to expand/open new phases in Alys Beach when they can't move the property that is already developed. I don't think (but might be wrong) more than a handful of properties have changed hands in Alys in the last two years.

Like it or not, Alys Beach continues to grow.

June 'Best Month Ever' for Alys Beach Home Sales > Alys Beach Offers Luxury Beach Living From A New Urbanist Perspective > Alys Beach Today -- The Official Alys Beach Blog

June 'Best Month Ever' for Alys Beach Home Sales

Alys Beach recently marked an important milestone with the release of our very first Gulf-front home lots. Only three beachfront lots were made available, and the first two lots sold almost immediately. Plus, those sales also included agreements to build Alys Beach’s very first custom Gulf-front homes!

“Most of our development to-date has taken place on the north side of (Scenic Highway) 30A, but people have been eagerly awaiting these first Gulf-front opportunities,” said Karen Terrell, our Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “There’s obviously only so much beachfront, so interest and anticipation has been very high.”

In fact, Terrell’s team successfully sold six new homes and lots in the last 14 days alone.

"June was our best month ever," said Terrell. "This is a very exciting time for us."

In order to make the new Gulf-front lots available, it was first necessary to add additional infrastructure south of 30A. For example, we recently began a $6 million dollar project to complete the streets south of 30A. The cobblestone roads are expected to be complete later this year. A new architecturally inspiring beach-front plaza was also recently completed. The new 'Gulf Green' was designed by Town Architects Erik Vogt & Marieanne Khoury-Vogt (who also designed Caliza and Fonville Press, by the way).

Numerous other community projects have also been recently completed, including a network of boardwalks through our 21-acre nature preserve, a new tennis court complex, an expanded playground, a pedestrian plaza with a Florida caprock-lined fire pit, the new 33,500-square-foot community amphitheater and several new businesses, including The Alys Shoppe and Charlie's Donut Truck.

"Our family's been here since the 1940s, and we purchased this particular land over 30 years ago, so we've certainly seen economic conditions come and go," said Town Founder Jason Comer, grandson of Alys Stephens, for whom our town is named. "But one thing has always been constant: People love these beaches."

FYI, Alys Beach is being developed by EBSCO Industries. Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, EBSCO was founded in 1943 by Elton B. Stephens and his wife, Alys. Today, the company employs over 6,000 people worldwide and EBSCO is one of the "Top 200" largest privately held companies in the U.S. according to Forbes magazine. EBSCO's also earned Dun & Bradstreet's highest "5A1" financial rating. The company is diversified into more than forty businesses, including manufacturing, publishing and subscription services, and real estate development. (Did you know, for example, that EBSCO is the world's largest manufacturer of fishing lures??)

"All of our recent sales activity hopefully indicates that confidence is returning among some affluent buyers," said Comer. "Our new owners are very savvy and well-positioned investors that are seeking a special quality of life, and they certainly seem to appreciate the long-term vision of Alys Beach. We'll continue to grow our town with the same patience, prudence and optimism for this region's long-term potential."

Like it or not, Alys Beach continues to grow.

June 'Best Month Ever' for Alys Beach Home Sales > Alys Beach Offers Luxury Beach Living From A New Urbanist Perspective > Alys Beach Today -- The Official Alys Beach Blog

June 'Best Month Ever' for Alys Beach Home Sales

That's a pretty good jump. According to WCR, they've only sold three properties, two lots and one house, in the last six months. To go from there to six sales in two weeks is pretty signifigant, assuming the sales go through.

http://64.234.218.49/fl_walton.html..._sales+roads&parcel=27-3S-18-16420-0NN-0010#5

That's a pretty good jump. According to WCR, they've only sold three properties, two lots and one house, in the last six months. To go from there to six sales in two weeks is pretty signifigant, assuming the sales go through.

Walton County Parcel Maps

can we call the bottom now?

lerxst, I have already stated old growth forest was an incorrect term. My apology. When I camped in those very woods many years ago, it was older than anything else around here. Those woods you call a desert of dead and burned trees were more interesting and beautiful than what has been stuck on that site now. What passes for development in these parts is referred to elsewhere as destruction. And as far as dunes, you could literally walk (legally and without hassle) the length of 30A and never step off a dune . I've walked thousands of miles on these beaches and let me tell you things aren't better, despite all the claims and chatter, they are worse. Go find a dune to walk on and let me know where it's at. The few left have to saved, the rest were destroyed or are private. I never thought in my life, we would have to save sand dunes.

There wouldn't be a need to save dunes if people would stop walking on them. Which by the way is also illegal.

can we call the bottom now?

Somewhere SHELLY is yelling "NEVER!"

Where is Coondog who started this thread???
He appears to be conscpicuous by his absence.