Navarre Beach Boardwalk bids opened Sept. 17; Oct. 19 workshop postponed after Isaias

As of Oct. 18, 2026. Santa Rosa County opened bids on Sept. 17, 2026, for the Navarre Beach Boardwalk Project, which includes an event hall, a boardwalk, a parking lot, restrooms and roadway improvements, according to the county’s project page. The county says the Board of County Commissioners could build all of the improvements, none of them or only a portion, depending on the bid amounts. The page does not publish the bid amounts.

For example, the Board could decide that the boardwalk, restrooms and parking lot move forward while the event hall does not. The page does not give a date for that decision.

Public workshop postponed

The public workshop originally set for Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, is being rescheduled because of Hurricane Isaias, the county’s page says. The county’s meetings calendar lists the workshop as ‘TO BE RESCHEDULED.’ The county will announce the new date once it is confirmed.

Project background

The Navarre Beach Boardwalk Project was first discussed in 2019 and put on hold in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2024, the Tourist Development Council voted to earmark $5.5 million for the boardwalk. In September 2025, the Board decided to focus the building entirely on public use rather than include office space. On Sept. 25, 2025, the Board authorized the next phase of the project.

Zoning and land use

The county says the zoning for the proposed project is identical to the zoning for the Navarre Beach Pier, the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center, the Marine Education Center, the Navarre Beach Fire Rescue facilities and other beach amenities inside the Marine Park. Public facilities are an allowed use on land zoned Navarre Beach Conservation/Recreation. The county’s land-use figures show open land at 94.8% of the site now and 94% with the proposed development. Paved parking would rise from 4.2% to 4.8%.

Where to find the documents

The complete scope of work is in the bid package on OpenGov. Downloading documents requires signing in, and a free account can be created. Site plan and zoning review files are under project number PZ-2025-51-SP in My Government Online. Search for the number under ‘Search Permits & Projects’ and set Project Type under Jurisdiction to Planning and Zoning. An account is required, and it is free.