Fort Pickens at Pensacola Beach to Open

Visitors and tourists are a very important barometer for the real estate market in Northwest Florida. Fort Pickens, one of the 10 most popular national parks, is scheduled to reopen in 2006, in the April time frame. Initially, visitors will either have to walk, bike, or go by boat to get into the park. The 4.5 mile road leading into the Gulf Islands National Seashore was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and made even worse by Hurricane Dennis in 2005. The road going from Pensacola Beach, east to Navarre Beach, is also closed. To repair both sections of roadway is expected to be in the $20 million to $30 millon range, and construction may start in late summer. The fort itself held up well, but the wind and salt water killed as many as 1000 trees and damaged several buildings and their exhibits. Those buildings are currently being restored. For more information about popular local tourist attractions, visit us at www.stukey.com.