Money, time and a tranquil 2009 hurricane season are all that stand between Keith Cuthrell and fishing on a new 1,500-foot pier at Navarre Beach.
Santa Rosa County received word from the state Tuesday that its permit for the new pier had been approved. The structure will replace a 900-foot pier left unusable by Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
 
“I fished out there since I was 10 years old,” said Cuthrell, 52. “I’m just tickled to death to see this. It’s been way long overdue.”
The pier has historically been a good place to catch king fish, cobia, red fish and pompano, among other species, he said.
County Commissioner Gordon Goodin announced the permit approval Tuesday at a meeting discussing Navarre Beach Park at Navarre High School attended by about 80 people.
“People miss their pier,” Goodin said. “Our intention is to put this out to bid in January, award this bid in March and get construction underway as soon as possible.”
The project is estimated to cost $8 million, most of which will be covered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, according to County Engineer Roger Blaylock.
If the bids come in on budget, the pier could be completed in a year, Blaylock said.
The pier and 116-acre Navarre Beach Park are located at the eastern end of Navarre Beach.
It opened in early 2004 under state management, but was damaged and closed by Hurricane Ivan that summer.
After being open only a few days in 2005, it was damaged and closed again by Hurricane Dennis.
The state repaired the damage from Dennis, but turned the property back over to Santa Rosa on Oct. 9.
As repaired, the park includes 11 gazebos, four covered picnic areas, five restrooms and more than 300 parking spaces.
Ideas for the park discussed Tuesday include establishing a marine science station, a marina that opens into the Gulf, an area for dogs, a bird-watching/star-gazing facility and camping, among others.
Written by:
Louis Cooper • lcooper@pnj.com • December 3, 2008
Pensacola News Journal