Piers going in at Pier Park

Date: 8/8/2008

Construction Update - City Pier at Pier Park

Posted August 7, 2008 @ 7:05 pm by Jason Koertge,

Moving along as scheduled, the city pier at Pier Park is still set to open spring 2009. With the main platform going on now and pilings being driven as they move out into the water, the pier is definitely beginning to take shape.

Construction is “top-down” construction, meaning there will be no barge with a crane in the water driving piles. The crane will “crawl” across the top of the piles that it puts in in order to put the next series of piles. I thought this was pretty cool, as it allows them to continue work even if they have rough seas. Delays will be less likely.

The final design will be around 1,500 feet long and 26 feet off the water. The super-structure design will be different then the last design and should better survive a hurricane or other severe weather. The platform on top of the piles that will be the walkway will not actually be attached to the piles, rather just resting on top of them. Each platform weighs about 600 lbs and will have a setting that will keep them in place, but if significant force should put pressure on them (i.e. hurricane force winds, storm surge, or very rough seas), they can become displaced or even come off completely. This minimizes the damage to the piles (the expensive part) and preserves the overall super-structure.

This all sounds good in theory, but does it actually work? The short answer, yes, it does. Baskerville Donovan has built this design before, and has had the opportunity to see the results of their design after a hurricane. When Ivan hit Gulf Shores as a category 3 Hurricane in September 2004. The Pensacola Pier (designed and constructed by Baskerville Donovan) sustained only $45,000 in damage. The Dan Russell Pier, 100 miles away sustained over $1 million in damage.

The county pier still has yet to begin, I’ll have more information on that soon, but I think it has to do with the EPA and turtle season. Stay tuned.

Panama City Beach Airport - Authority must build public trust.

EDITORIAL: Airport Authority must build public trust

July 17, 2008 08:49:00 AM

Panama City News Herald

A recent Airport Authority meeting might have determined the paving material for the new runway, but the process has left some feeling even more unsettled about the project. And though a number of Bay Countians will continue to object to the new airport, the Airport Authority members should take care not to sour relations with county residents any further.

Tuesday's special meeting was held to discuss the length and construction materials for the runway of the new Panama City-Bay County International Airport being built at West Bay. Plans currently call for an 8,400-foot concrete or asphalt runway, but the board is also considering extending the runway to 10,000 feet. An option for a crosswind runway is also on the table.

James Finch said that his company, Phoenix Construction, was ready to move forward with laying down the runway and he absolutely would not wait because of concerns about rising gas and material costs.

However, Airport Authority Chairman Bill Cramer indicated that he wanted to postpone the decision until bids for the terminal building, the rental car center, the air traffic control tower and other projects at the new airport are tendered in three weeks time.

Things came to a head with Finch telling the authority members, "I'm going to file a claim on your ass." Cramer shot back asking Finch where on the board's anatomy the claim would be filed, and asking airport attorney Franklin Harrison if there were legal grounds for Finch to file a claim on their posteriors.

Dramatics aside, Finch's point is valid.

Time equals money in construction, especially as labor and construction-related costs continue to increase.

However, Cramer was right to call for more time to consider the options because of concerns that the board would be basing its decisions on inadequate information and possible jeopardizing other projects at the airport.

Rushing ahead with decisions without having a complete financial picture is a sure recipe for nasty surprises down the road.

Concrete might be the best long-term option, with a 40-year life as opposed to only a decade for asphalt. But if Cramer's concerns about future cutbacks because the board committed to spending the extra money pan out, the Airport Authority won't win any converts for the relocation project. Deciding the issue on Aug. 8 still put the board ahead of the September deadline for notifying Phoenix about the runway length and materials. As Cramer rightly said, the primary obligation of the board should be looking out for the public trust.

Just look at the tone of the Bay District Schools budget debate in the face of a $20-million shortfall that came after the School Board committed the district to building two new schools before the state budget was finalized.
And Finch's statement that he had brought the project several weeks ahead of schedule at the request of certain airport officials, and not the entire board, can only stir up more bitterness and resentment among those still holding to the ignored 2004 non-binding referendum against relocation.

There were likely no shady backroom deals. But the project involves taxpayer dollars and that means the board must ensure all its decisions are made above board in a responsible manner.

Pier Park Opens More Commercial Retailers

Date: 6/18/2008

Pier Park Opens More Retailers in June!

Posted June 18, 2008 @ 12:00 pm by Jason Koertge, Filed under: Pier Park

Simon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE:SPG), the country’s largest owner, developer and manager of high-quality retail real estate, will celebrate more than 15 exciting retailer and restaurant openings this June at Pier Park, the 900,000-square-foot retail and entertainment lifestyle center located on 93 acres that covers land from Front Beach Road (at the City Pier) to the heavily traveled Highway 98 (Back Beach Road).

New specialty shops scheduled to debut include the following:

Ann Taylor Loft
As Seen On TV & More
Bellies N’ Babies
Chico’s
Cost Cutters
Counts-Oakes Realty
Footprints Coastal Decor
Hana Japan
Maurices
Peace Frogs
Popcorn Kingdom
Reggae J’s Island Grill
Regions Bank
Rocky’s South Philly Cheesesteaks
Shimmering Seas
Tran Fashion

Check after the break for a full list of open retailers.

The new stores will join over 80 stores already open at Pier Park. Additionally, the following anchors are open at Pier Park: Dillard’s, JCPenney, Target, The Grand 16 Theatres, Borders, Margaritaville, Old Navy and Ron Jon Surf Shop.

These additions make Pier Park home to a mix of over 100 retailers, with approximately half making their first appearance in this vibrant market. These stores combine the best in shopping, dining and entertainment – all situated across the street from some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Pier Park is a regional attraction, drawing residents and tourists from Florida’s Panhandle and beyond.

Ann Taylor Loft, through 483 store locations, competes in the “upper moderate” priced category. Ann Taylor Loft collections are designed for value conscious women with a more relaxed lifestyle both at work and at home.

As Seen On TV & More offers “As Seen On TV” products and other non-televised specialty items. As Seen On TV & More is committed to bringing customers the best “As Seen On TV” products at the fairest price.

In September 2005, Bellies N’ Babies opened its doors for the first time in downtown Danville, California and has been growing ever since. Bellies N’ Babies offers a great selection of affordable maternity fashions, products for moms-to-be and for kids as well.

Chico’s began in 1983 by Marvin and Helene Gralnick on Sanibel Island, Florida. Chico’s is a specialty retailer of private branded, sophisticated, casual-to-dressy clothing, intimates, complementary accessories, and other non-clothing gift items.

Cost Cutters is dedicated to providing customers with convenient hair care services, by professional stylists who care about customer needs. Cost Cutters offers a relaxed hair care experience with no appointments and no hassles. A perfect choice for busy, value-conscious families and men, Cost Cutters offers a range of styles at a price easy-to-afford.

Counts-Oakes Realty has a wide selection of condos or resort condos, beach houses, town-homes or cottages for your beach vacation in Panama City Beach, Inlet Beach, Seagrove Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, and Seacrest Beach. You can count on Counts-Oakes Realty to find the perfect vacation rental.

Since 1983, Footprints Coastal Decor has been outfitting homes and condos along the Florida Emerald Coast with unique coastal accent items, fun beach decor, pottery, and decorative sea shells. They also have a wide selection of coastal gifts at excellent prices.

Hana Japan is fine dining that’s transformed into a novel, fun experience. The beautifully designed interiors feature Teppan Tables crowned with pagoda tops that seat a group of guests around a large hibachi grille. Talented chefs twirl their knives and display the freshest ingredients that are prepared to your taste, at your table. Hana Japan Steakhouse offers a delectable choice of steak, chicken and seafood, plus a variety of cocktails and full bar service.

Maurices was founded in 1931 by E. Maurice Lebovitz. For seven decades, Maurices has stayed true to high-standard fashion, value and great customer service. Offering sizes 1-24, styles are inspired by the girl in everyone, in every size.

Peace Frogs is a friendly, peace-filled shop that carries a wide variety of Peace Frogs items including tee-shirts, key chains, stickers, lounge wear, hats, and mouse pads.
Popcorn Kingdom offers the highest quality popcorn popped in-store daily using only the finest of ingredients. Experience a wide assortment of over 30 flavors from top selling caramel, to fabulous fruit flavors! Popcorn Kingdom offers a wide variety of gift boxes and tins for special occasions and popcorn by the bag that ranges in size from individual sizes, to family sizes, as well as a 20 gallon party size bag that is perfect for large gatherings.
Reggae J’s Island Grill, owned by Southern Restaurant Group (SRG), features seafood with a Caribbean flair. Reggae J’s Island Grill is located on Front Beach Road and has directs views of the Gulf of Mexico.

Regions Bank is a full-service institution with a full range of financial products and services in the areas of trust, asset management, mortgage banking, securities brokerage and insurance, in addition to traditional banking products and services.

Rocky’s South Philly Cheesesteaks brings Pier Park shoppers a traditional steak sandwich which Philadelphians have been enjoying for many years; the management is actually moving to Panama City from Philadelphia to serve shoppers the authentic hoagies. In addition to courtyard seating, the shop has 10 seats, as well as, counters where customers can stand to enjoy their sandwiches, reminiscent of standing on the streets of South Philadelphia.

Shimmering Seas, formerly Sea of Silver, offers jewelry and gifts, specializing in exotic jewelry creations. Shoppers can find a variety of elegant sterling, gold, pearls, diamonds and much more.

Tran Fashion is a retail clothing store specializing in unique clothing and accessories for women and juniors. Tran Fashion focuses on unique styles of sportswear, tops, dresses, pants, jeans, prom dress and full assortment of fashion apparel. Their mission is to understand customers’ needs and provide quality clothing and customer service at a reasonable price.

Store currently open include the following:

Anchors
Borders
Dillard’s
JCPenney
Margaritaville
Old Navy
Ron Jon Surf Shop
Target
The Grand 16 Theatres

Specialty Shops
A.M. Cafe Accessories On The Boardwalk
Aeropostale
Alltel Wireless
American Eagle Outfitters
Ann Taylor Loft
As Seen On TV & More
Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House
Bath & Body Works
Beach Scene
BeBo’z
Blender Clothing, a fusion boutique
Bootleg Barbeque
Buffalo Wild Wings
Caché
Camille’s Sidewalk Café
Candy Maker
Carlyle & Co.
Claire’s
Coldwater Creek
Del Sol
Emerald Coast Photography
Fish Tales
Five Guys Famous Hamburgers & Fries
GameStop
GNC
Guglielmo’s Italian Restaurant
Hofbrau Beer Garden
Hollister Co.
Specialty Shops Continued…
Jake at the Beach (Life is Good)
Jos. A. Bank
Justice
Kay Jewelers
Kilwin’s Chocolates & Ice Cream
Lane Bryant/Cacique
LongHorn Steakhouse
Marble Slab Creamery
Massage Envy
Merle Norman Cosmetics Studio
Mermaid Trading Co.
Motherhood Maternity
New York & Company
No Regrets Stationery and Gifts
PacSun
Panera Bread
Payless ShoesSource
Perfumania
Quizno’s Sub
Rack Room Shoes
Red Brick Pizza
Smoothie King
Solace Day Spa & Salon
Southern Waters Outfitters
Starbucks
Sunglass Hut
Sunglass World
Sunsights by Solstice
Tatoe Tots
The Walking Company
Tilly’s
Tootsies Orchid Lounge
Trader Tom’s
Ulta Beauty
Unique Boutique by Irene & Co.
Verizon
Victoria’s Secret
Yankee Candle
Zales

Panama City Beach Airport a few months ahead of Schedule

Date: 5/21/2008

New airport work ahead of schedule

By DANIEL CARSON, Florida Freedom Newspapers

2008-05-21 10:52:00

WEST BAY - Construction at the new Panama City-Bay County International Airport site is three months ahead of schedule, with a current focus on completion of the site's main access road, the airport's relocation project manager said Tuesday.

The Panama City-Bay County International Airport Authority held its regular meeting under a makeshift white tent Tuesday at the West Bay airport relocation site off County 388.

"Hopefully, in two years we'll have meetings here every month. But not in this tent," airport board Chairman Joe Tannehill joked as he started Tuesday's meeting.

Tannehill said the airport board scheduled Tuesday's meeting at the active construction site because "we thought the public would like to see it."

Amid the background noise of excavators transporting loads of dirt, the airport board heard an update from relocation project manager John Zebroski on new construction. Zebroski said that, even though construction started less than five months ago, site development milestones had been met well ahead of schedule.

"We're quite pleased with our progress," Zebroski said.

Zebroski said workers have cleared 1,330 acres at the West Bay site and are filling in the new airport's 2½-mile main access road. There is a 60-foot difference in elevation between the north and south ends of the site, Zebroski said, with the north end 80 feet and the south end 20 feet above sea level.

"This road is about 2 feet below its final grade," Zebroski said.

A first layer of asphalt should be put on the main access road by the end of June, Zebroski said.

The completion of the access road would allow workers to bring in raw materials for other parts of the project, including construction of the airport's terminal building and main runway, he said.

There are 105 pieces of equipment, 110 workers - not counting construction management - and another 30 inspectors on-site, Zebroski said after the meeting.

Workers have excavated 150,000 of the site's needed 850,000 cubic yards of muck, and filled in those areas with solid soil from other parts of the site. Zebroski said all of the fill dirt has been found on-site.

Work on the new airport's main runway, which will be 8,400 feet long with room for expansion, should start by the end of the summer or early fall, according to Zebroski said. "It could be, at its ultimate, 12,000 feet long," he said.

Grant OK'd
After the airport board listened to Zebroski's update, it unanimously approved the acceptance of a $28.2 million Federal Aviation Administration grant for the new airport's second phase of construction. The airport previously accepted a $26.2 million FAA grant for the first construction phase.

FAA funds for the second phase will be applied toward things such as site drainage, runway paving and terminal building construction.

Bay County resident Don Hodges asked the board how much the construction project had cost so far. Tannehill said the issue would be addressed at the board's May 27 workshop, scheduled for 10 a.m. at the current airport's boardroom.

After the meeting, Tannehill said the workshop, in addition to providing a status report on project costs, would deal with on-site environmental issues. He said the airport was within its budget and ahead of schedule with the relocation project.

Panama City Beach Airport clears hurdle

Date: 3/4/2008 The new international airport in Panama City, Fla., the nation’s first new airport since Sept. 11, 2001, continues under way without interruption, following an appellate court’s denial yesterday of a motion that would have halted construction. The injunction had been sought from the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta, by the Natural Resources Defense Council, Defenders of Wildlife and two other environmental organizations. Randy Curtis, the airport’s executive director, told CPN that the airport authority’s ability to overcome these obstacles (this was the sixth consecutive court ruling in favor of the airport, according to the airport authority) rests on “doing the proper planning, and doing it right, from the very beginning.” After it became clear more than 10 years ago that the Panama City-Bay County International Airport, simply couldn’t be expanded to meet growing air traffic to that section of Florida’s panhandle, the airport authority, the Panama City-Bay County International Airport and Industrial District, targeted a site about 10 miles northwest, across West Bay. The 4,000-acre site of the new airport, which broke ground in November, is part of a “large-scale land use planning effort,” Curtis explained, the 75,000-acre West Bay Area Sector Plan. That land, most of which is owned by the St. Joe Co., covers an area larger than the District of Columbia. Nearly 10,000 acres will be set aside under a conservation easement. Some areas that have been used for tree farming by St. Joe for many years will no longer be farmed, and environmental restoration will include removal of numerous roads and ditches, Curtis said. The new airport itself will feature on-site treatment of storm water and a LEED-certified terminal building. “The goal,” said Curtis, “was that overall it would be a net benefit for the environment.” Once the new airport is operational, the current airport property, comprising 700 acres in Panama City adjacent to North Bay, is to be sold to Community Airport Redevelopment, a subsidiary of Leucadia National Corp.