MADEIRA BEACH — City officials will hold two town hall meetings in February to gather input on a newly acquired 4-acre waterfront property.

The meetings, scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, and 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, will focus on the site at 555 150th Ave. Initial outreach has generated ideas ranging from green space and marina docks to restaurant and event venues, City Manager Clint Belk said.

Mayor Anne Marie Brooks is pushing for an extended community input process before any development decisions are made.

“I don’t think that two official meetings is enough for the community,” Brooks said during a December workshop.

Commissioner Housh Ghovaee suggested the city gauge interest from potential businesses, but Brooks cautioned against approaching developers before defining the community’s vision.

“I would like to hear what kind of restaurant people see there,” Brooks said. “Do they see a Snack Shack or a Salt Rock Grill? We need the community to drive it.”

Parking garage debate intensifies

While debate continues over the new property, John’s Pass business owners are pressing the city to finally build a long-planned municipal parking garage.

The city has collected parking surcharge revenue for years, but the project has stalled repeatedly.

Capt. Dylan Hubbard of Hubbard’s Marina told commissioners that private lot operators charge up to $75 during peak times — what he called “predatory” pricing that’s damaging the city’s reputation.

“It is killing John’s Pass, crippling business, and it is harmful to our city and our future,” Hubbard said.

Commissioner David Tagliarini said it’s time to act.

“I think it’s time we push the button and get going on this,” he said.

Brooks also called for better signage to help tourists distinguish between city-owned spots, which charge $4 an hour, and expensive private lots.

Jetty restoration faces hurdles

Officials also discussed restoring the John’s Pass jetty walkway, a popular spot for fishing and sunset viewing.

Public Works Director Megan Wepfer said any new walkway would require ADA-compliant handrails — a feature some fear could interfere with fishing.

The jetty is also a federal asset, meaning the Army Corps of Engineers could remove city improvements at any time without compensation, Wepfer warned.

Despite the challenges, Hubbard called the jetty “a vital piece of the city’s heritage” and noted it was once the region’s only wheelchair-accessible fishing point.