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Air Force Proposal Shouldn't Take Flight

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 9, 2009

At a time when the federal government is facing a massive deficit, Florida's Eglin Air Force Base proposes tapping the state's lucrative tourism market to help generate funds. It's an interesting proposition, but one that's off base.

Under the plan, which has not been finalized, the base, along the Gulf of Mexico in the Panhandle, would enter into a lease agreement with a developer to build and operate a 250-room tourist resort and other associated amenities on 17 acres that Eglin officials say are being underused. Eglin wouldn't be involved with construction or operations.

The Emerald Breeze Resort would be constructed on a beachfront parcel known as Test Site A-5 on Santa Rosa Island. The resort would cater to military personnel and retirees but also be available to regular folks, which would be a must if the government insists on going forward with the proposal.

The possibility that the Air Force will get into the tourism business is unorthodox but not unprecedented. The Department of Defense has a similar resort on Waikiki, Hawaii, that's considered an "armed forces recreation center," and Walt Disney World also has a military lodge.

But the Emerald Breeze would be different. Unlike the Hale Koa on Waikiki, the Panhandle resort would not be affiliated with any squadron. It would be a completely "commercial enterprise" open to the public, officials say, and no taxpayer dollars would be used for construction and maintenance.

Still, the proposal is contrary to the base's function - providing essential military operations and services - which is troubling. Eglin needs to stick to its mission, not venture into commercial land development.

In addition, the resort would take away business from other local resorts and hotels, including a Sheraton next to the tract in question. Considering the base's already massive presence in the area, that would be unfair to local commerce.

The simple fact that Eglin is in the middle of a tourism hotspot along the Emerald Coast - about 7 million people visited there in 2006 - doesn't mean the military should jump into the business. What's next? Condominiums? Subdivisions?

The military needs to be very careful about setting precedents with federal land.

If the mostly vacant tract at Eglin, valued by the county property appraiser at about $25 million, is, indeed, underutilized and not really needed, here's a better idea: Make it part of Gulf Islands National Seashore, which is managed by the National Parks Service.

All visitors would be able to enjoy the beach while staying at private accommodations, and the environment would not be disturbed by construction and activities associated with a resort.

The Air Force deserves some credit for thinking outside its wings, but this idea shouldn't fly.

Editor's Note: Eglin Air Force Base was misspelled in an earlier version of this story.

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