Christine Slaughter
Broker Associate
Realty Executives Gulf Coast
Perdido Key (or "Lost Key" as named by its early Spanish settlers) is an unincorporated community in Escambia County, Florida, located between Pensacola, Florida, and Orange Beach, Alabama. Known for its pristine beaches, the key stretches nearly 16 miles, with almost 60 percent of it located in federal or state parks.
No more than a few hundred yards wide in most places, Perdido Key consists of abundant wetlands, estuaries and wildlife. These natural conditions and largely unrestricted past development have made future development plans a critical factor for today's Perdido Key leaders, planners and residents.
After a start-and-stop planning process that began several years ago, leaders are now embarking on a "New Urbanism" concept to enhance the quality of life on Perdido Key. Referred to as Perdido Key's "Cinderella Moment", the focus rests on a master plan to address traffic conditions, pedestrian-friendly options and designated town center, all the while enhancing, conserving and protecting the area's natural assets.
Given Perdido Key has been without a master plan for more than fifty years, this new master plan represents a major step in creating a more sustainable, attractive, walker/biker friendly and town-centered community. Such changes undoubtedly will benefit the Perdido Key real estate market by offering the type of community that more and more people look for when considering the location of their primary residence or vacation home.
In addition, the master plan will propose new zoning codes to permit more varied residential options. In a market where single-family homes and high-rise condos dominate, the new codes will create more "in-between" housing types such as townhomes.
Following a community planning and design meeting this past October, a preliminary master plan is now under development based on the community's feedback. Once completed, the plan will be presented to Escambia County officials for review with full adoption of a Perdido Key Master Plan anticipated in early 2016. Stay tuned for any updates!
If you are interested in buying or selling real estate on Perdido Key, give me call at (251) 942-3141.
You can also check out current listings on the key by clicking here.
