NOTE from APTAWEB: Additions (in red) have been made to this previously posted news item.

Steve Fling and partners are in the due diligence phase of purchasing the KOA Campground and presented their plan for developing the property at the January 10 APTA meeting. The meeting room was packed and those in attendance expressed an array of opinions regarding various features of the plan.

APTA Board members approved a directive for the president to hire a planner and a land use attorney to ensure APTA’s interests are conveyed during the design phase and to also ensure that the partnership and associated designers follow county and state design/building standards.

Features of this project include:

• 37 home sites
• General Store with Gas Pumps and Restaurant
• Commercial Space
• Tennis Court and Swimming Pool

The boat launch, parking, marsh land on the bay and two lots for beach parking on the Southeast corner of the property will be offered to the county for purchase after improvements are made.

In addition, the plans include a house to be built and then donated to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department to provide housing for a deputy. The Developer hopes providing housing will assist the deputy in being a full-time Alligator Point resident.

A fire department sub-station will also be constructed on the property and donated to the Fire Department. A new fire station is planned in the future for a location near the intersection US 98 and SR 370.

All of the details provided in this summary are subject to change as the process is in its very early and preliminary phase.

APTAWEB encourages that you attend APTA meetings and other meetings that could be announced to learn the latest information about this project and to voice your opinions.

Understanding the current C-3 zoning of the property is important to what may happen at the campground. It is not an either/or decision. Please refer to the following links.