John Fayard Self Storage in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., recently received a “Scenic Corridor Design Excellence Award” from the Scenic Corridor Foundation (SCF), a nonprofit that promotes preservation and enhancement of the U.S. Highway 98 and 331 scenic corridors in Walton County, Fla. Facility owner John Fayard received a plaque on Jan. 24 during a presentation at the storage facility. It was presented by Roger Hall, an SCF board member and president of Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast. Additional attendees included Fayard’s staff, members of the Walton County Planning and Development Services Department and other SCF board members, according to the source.

Created in 2017, the award recognizes those who build or renovate projects that exemplify the intent of the Scenic Corridor Guidelines found in the Walton County Land Development Code. “We designed this award for businesses who do a really good job with the Scenic Corridor Guidelines, meaning they adhere to guidelines for architecture, landscaping, signage and other areas,” said Leigh Moore, an SCF board member and former executive director. “The natural environment is so beautiful; we should all make every effort to make the built environment as beautiful as possible as well. Complying with these guidelines is a good thing. We hope that others will see this and want to comply as well.”

The storage facility’s architecture, landscaping and signage were key factors in the SCF’s decision, the source reported. “Our goal is to preserve the South Walton area, making it business friendly and beautiful,” Hall said during the ceremony. “Our area continues to grow, and we just want it to grow the right way. It’s a great day in the community to have another partner like John Fayard.”

Opened in 2017, the storage property at 5029 Highway 98 W. features climate-controlled units, a community room, a retail store that sell moving and packing supplies, and vehicle storage. The site was recently mentioned in an article on self-storage add-on profit centers, published by Inside Self-Storage. Fayard also operates a location in Gulfport, Miss.

SCF is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that promotes increased property values, a robust business environment, and safe and beautiful surroundings, the source reported. “It’s a positive thing for our community and a positive thing for tourism,” Moore said. “SCF believes it is all about improving quality of life in the community, improving property values, and making the development more sustainable and in keeping with the character of the community.”

Sources:
The Walton Sun, Storage Company Receives Design Excellence Award
Scenic Corridor Foundation, Facebook