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Month: August 2024

Port Canaveral reverses cruise expansion plans after state’s alarm over space business

Port Canaveral reverses cruise expansion plans after state’s alarm over space business

Port Canaveral won’t pursue plans for a new cruise terminal after commissioners voted to reverse course in the wake of state officials’ raising an alarm that those plans would harm the space industry.

In a Wednesday meeting, the Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 to drop plans approved in May to build what would have been the seventh cruise terminal at the port in space that currently is a cargo berth on the north side.

The vote comes after officials received a letter earlier this month from Florida Department of Commerce Secretary J. Alex Kelly and Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue charging the port was making decisions that benefited its lucrative cruise business at the cost of needs for the growing commercial space business.

Florida officials warn Port Canaveral leaders over dock plans

The letter pointed out the port’s plans would take real estate that could be needed for liquified natural-gas facilities, for instance. But the teeth of the letter was warning that the two state agencies would shift or halt funding to Port Canaveral unless they reversed their decision. read more

Proposal to add golf courses, pickleball to some Florida state parks draws fire

Proposal to add golf courses, pickleball to some Florida state parks draws fire

TALLAHASSEE — Future visits to some of Florida’s state parks could include getting in 18 holes of golf or playing pickleball.

The state Department of Environmental Protection this week announced what it has dubbed a “Great Outdoors Initiative” aimed at expanding public access to state parks.

The announcement included such things as adding campsites and cabins and increasing “the number of outdoor recreation opportunities available at Florida’s state parks, including pickleball, disc golf, golf and paddling.”

“The initiative will work to expand public access, increase outdoor activities and provide new lodging options across Florida’s state parks — reinforcing the state’s dedication to conservation, the outdoor recreation economy and a high quality of life for Floridians,” the department said in a news release.

The department didn’t immediately respond to questions about the plan. But a series of meetings are scheduled for Aug. 27 to review management plans for Honeymoon Island State Park in Pinellas County, Hillsborough River State Park in Hillsborough County, Oleta River State Park in Miami-Dade County, Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Martin County, Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park in Broward County, Anastasia State Park in St. Johns County, Camp Helen State Park in Bay County and Topsail Hill Preserve and Grayton Beach State Park in Walton County. read more