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| Attending today's deed-swapping ceremony were (l to r, front) Escambia County Commissioner Robert Bender, Escambia County Attorney Alison Rogers, NAVFAC SE Associate Counsel Susan Bird, Escambia Commissioner Jeff Bergosh, (back row, l to r) Escambia County Project Manager Cooper Saunders, Deputy County Administrator Matt Coughlin, Escambia County Administrator (acting) Amy Lovoy, NAVFAC SE Executive Officer CAPT Gil Manalo, and NAVFAC SE Asset Manager Bub Lenoir. |
After
decades of initiatives, years of planning, multiple strategy sessions, and
countless meetings--we finally reached the finish line today.
As I explained yesterday, today was the big day we have all been waiting for.
We took
possession of the OLF 8 field in Beulah today, and we gave the property deed
for OLF X in Santa Rosa County to representatives of the Navy.
Tomorrow at 0900, the Navy will have a ceremonial ribbon cutting at their new field--so
tomorrow will be a huge day for Naval Aviation, NAS Whiting Field, and Santa
Rosa County.
But
today was our big day.
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| NAVFAC SE XO CAPT Gil Manalo presented a commemorative plaque to staff today |
Today's
deed exchange took place at 2:00PM with very little fanfare, in the lobby of
our chambers downtown. Representatives
from NAVFAC SE in Jacksonville, County Staff, and County Commissioners took
part in this brief but profound ceremony.
15
short minutes after it started, it ended.
And now
we own 636 prime acres of real estate in Beulah. Although we (Escambia County) paid a lot for
this property--recent appraisals peg the value of our soon-to-be acquired
property in Beulah at between $46K and $51K per acre. This means this huge field could be worth as
much as $32 Million in the current red-hot real estate market in this booming
community. This means Escambia County
taxpayers will be taking possession of an asset that is valued as much as $14.5
Million over the cost of acquisition---on day one.
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| The signed deed to OLF 8 was presented to Escambia County today |
Yes,
this is a big deal for Escambia County.
It is also a huge win for the US Navy and Naval Aviation.
This is what you call a "win-win."
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| NAVFAC SE Challenge Coins were presented to staff today by representatives of the US Navy |
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| NAVFAC SE Challenge Coins were presented to staff today by representatives of the US Navy |
