Groundbreaking New Library

Mayor Gayle Oberst and the City of Panama City Beach broke ground Thursday for the new Panama City Beach public library. Architectural design by Collins & Associates and construction by the Construct Two Group, the new building will sit on the corner of Hutchinson Boulevard and Lyndell Lane and will be nearly triple the size of the current public library.

Under roof, the new building will house 11,000 square feet and outside will have 240 parking spaces. Panama City Beach Library Branch Manager Frank Walker said, “They’ll be more computers, more shelf space, and a children’s room with children’s programs. We’re thrilled about it.”

Mayor Oberst expects the new library to be a history making event, “Panama City Beach isn’t a very old city,” She said. “A public library builds a history and enriches a community.”

The architectural design went through a few phases before the final decision. With help from the library administrative staff and employees, the new building will have an open space feel, spacing out the shelves to add more walking area. Rooms dedicated to reading, children’s programs and a literacy meeting room will provide additional space for those activities. There will also be more room for books, which means a better overall selection and an upgraded research system.

Although this seems like a large task, the completion date for the new library is set tentatively for February 2010. Charles Lewis, Director of Construction Operations at the Construct Two Group believes that date is reachable. Mr. Lewis said, simply, “That’s more than enough time.” Mayor Oberst is optimistic about the date as well; “By this time next year we’ll be able to walk through the doors of this beautiful new building.”

The new library will cost just over 2 million dollars and was funded by impact fees and donations through donor recognition programs. Construction is set to begin this month.

Friday at the Beach – Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association

On Friday, April 17, 2009 the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly Friday at the Beach breakfast at Edgewater Beach Resort, from 7:30 to 9:00 AM. The event’s featured speaker is Carol B. Dover, President-CEO of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association.

Dover has been President-CEO of the 10,000+ member Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association since July 1995. She is a professional association manager, lobbyist, former government insider, FSU Dedman School of Hospitality graduate, and a working mother of three. In 1989, Dover was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff, Executive Office of the Governor of Florida, serving under the Martinez administration. In this role she served as the governor’s spokesperson and represented his administration before the Florida Legislature.

Dover’s other professional accomplishments include the Department of Business and Professional Regulation Director of the Division of Hotels and Restaurants; the first woman to serve as Chief of the Bureau of Fire Prevention, State Fire Marshall’s Office; and President-CEO of the Florida Outdoor Advertising Association. As the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association President-CEO, Dover works to protect the diverse interests of Florida’s hospitality industry by representing the industry before the Florida Legislature and lobbying against unfair government regulation.

Groundbreaking for New Panama City Beach Public Library

Tomorrow will be the start of a new book reading era for Panama City Beach. The groundbreaking ceremony for the new public library on Panama City Beach will take place tomorrow at 4:30 pm at the corner of Lyndell Lane and Hutchison Boulevard (Middle Beach Road).

The construction contract for the $2.2 million building was awarded to Construct Two Group from Orlando with the anticipated use of local contractors for much of the work.

Over 72,000 people each year visit the Panama City Beach Library. Among many programs include summer reading activities for children, a literacy program, English as a second language lessons and free internet.

The new library will be 10,000 square feet, with “state of the art” computer center, literacy center and children’s center.

Thanks Concerned Owner for the tip!

New Publix, Office Depot, Dunkin Donuts Close to Opening

Each day, the new Publix and Office Depot leap closer to opening day. The parking lot is paved, much of the landscaping is in and workers are tying up loose ends on cable and patching up walls. With blue skies above and mild weather, working outside this time of year is almost a dream.

The building facades are pretty much done and looking nice. They still need to line the parking, but most of the rest of the outside work is complete. I’m pretty sure that nothing has been done inside any of the buildings. I had been told that projected opening dates were in April, but at this time, it seems unlikely that anything will be open before May.

Many of you have asked what is going in at the old location, and unfortunately, at this time, I don’t really have any good info on that. I did call Equity One, the publicly traded company that owns it along with many other retail properties all over the southeast, and they declined to tell me anything. So, I guess we’ll find out sometime in the future!

Condo Auction in Mexico Beach

Ten condominiums in the prestigious and new Tranquil Harbour community on Florida’s beautiful Mexico Beach will be sold by absolute auction (regardless of price) on Saturday, May 2nd. The beautifully-designed units will be auctioned by The National Auction Group, Inc. of Gadsden, Alabama, an elite team of highly-trained specialists in the marketing of one-of-a-kind, high-end properties. The company has established a significant track record in recent months, selling more than $87 million worth of condos on the Gulf Coast from Panama City to Gulf Shores since last May. Also to be sold separately on auction day are a dozen lots on beautiful Cape San Blas.

Situated directly across from the Mexico Beach Pier, Tranquil Harbour consists of two three-story towers with all units enjoying mesmerizing water views. Options include two, three and four bedroom units. Each of the 10 condos is beautifully-designed and richly-appointed with the first class amenities one would expect at such a superb resort community. Featuring unique designs that are both attractive and functional, all units come with an assigned boat slip with quick access to the Gulf, as well as covered parking and expansive storage areas.

Tile floors and granite countertops add special touches of quality while the over-sized, open rooms with crown moldings and nine-foot ceilings offer plenty of windows to take full advantage of the wonderful vistas. In the kitchen are top-of-the-line GE Profile or equivalent appliances including microwave, self-cleaning oven, dishwasher and side-by-side refrigerator, as well as an undermount stainless steel sink. All condos have solid core interior doors, designer light fixtures, ceiling fans in living rooms and bedrooms and high quality faucets and plumbing fixtures.

Bathrooms feature framed vanity mirrors, a separate shower in the master baths, cultured marble vanity counter tops and tubs and raised height cabinets.

Located on the Florida panhandle, Mexico Beach is a community on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico but miles from anything else. Along this stretch of scenic Highway 98, there are no high-rises and no rush-hour; just breathtaking views of sea oats, white sand and the emerald Gulf water. You may stop for a family of beachgoers crossing the road, but never for traffic lights.

Visitors take part in swimming, kayaking, fishing, recreational diving, eco-tours or just plain old relaxing with a beach chair and a good book. When it comes to supper time, if you haven’t caught your own dinner, you can visit one of the many restaurants, either on the beach or across the street.

Nature lovers relish the bird watching and aquatic animals. Look for bald eagles in the winter months and loggerhead turtle hatchlings in the late summer. Dolphins dive through the waves all year long. Visitors can also explore the shops of Mexico Beach for souvenirs, artwork, antiques and fine clothing. For golf enthusiasts, St. Joseph’s Bay Country Club, just to the east of Port St. Joe, offers 18 holes of challenging play.

The 12 residential lots are on Cape San Blas which is located between Port St. Joe and Apalachicola and has been called one of America’s “Top 10 Beaches.” Several of the lots are located directly on the Gulf of Mexico amidst spectacular sand dunes and have breathtaking views of the aquamarine water that is unique to the Florida Panhandle.

“For someone looking for a good buy on a vacation get-away, business retreat or resort rental property, the condominiums and facilities at Tranquil Harbour offer an extraordinary opportunity to the discriminating buyer to purchase luxurious and picturesque accommodations on Florida’s Emerald Coast,” said William Bone, president of The National Auction Group, Inc.

The properties will be open for inspection by appointment beginning April 17th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. by calling 1-800-503-0010 or (256) 547-3434. Beginning April 17th, call on site at (256) 504-5201 and (256) 504-6858. Those bidding on the condominium units will be required to pay 10% on auction day and must have $5,000 in certified funds for each two bedroom unit; $10,000 for three-bedroom units and $15,000 for the four-bedroom units. The Gulf front and Gulf-view lots will require $5,000 each. The auction will take place at Tranquil Harbor which is located at 101 36th Street in Mexico Beach.

Click Here for a printable fact sheet

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-04-07

Holy cold snap batman. 45 degrees in panama city beach. Geez, fingers numb. #
You know you are from florida if you’re freezing in 60 degree weather #
The new publix, office depot, and dunkin donuts at bechrich is almost done #
Red flag in the distance. Getting some arbys. Oh yea. – Photo: http://bkite.com/069k0 #
Swimming was great. Surf is way up. Skies are clear. #
Going swimming at seahaven with the kids. #
Going to a business meeting. Sounds stuffy, I know, but I’m still wearing my converse. #
Lunch with cabellas guy. Could be breaking story. #
sheesh #
weather report: it’s even more crumby out today than it was tuesday. raining cats, dogs and I thought I saw a cow. #
PLUG ALERT! Visit http://pcbdaily.com for everything Panama City Beach. #
going to shoot week three of the new show. we about have all the kinks worked out, launch on 4/16 #
Previewing property for our new real estate show set to launch 4/16! #
What a crumby day it outside. Yuck #
@pcblee take some cough medicine! in reply to pcblee #

Free Family Concert, Pier Park Aaron Bessant Amphitheater

Strap on your cowboy boots and dust off your ten gallon hat cuz The Springs are ‘a comin’ to Pier Park – yeeeeyaagh!

One of America’s top teen country music bands, The Springs, are coming to Pier Park’s Aaron Bessant Amphitheater this Thursday April 9th from 7 to 9 pm. The Springs was the 2008 ICM Youth Artist of the Year at the 14th Annual Inspirational Country Music Award Show. With two Number One hits off their debut CD, these inspiring young artists offer families a different kind of country music.

The group has perfomred as the warm-up band for country stars of the likes of Steve Holly, Craig Morgan, Aaron Tippin, Kid Rock and Sara Evans.

Silent Auction Benefitting Relay for Life

This Friday, April 10th at 6pm, there will be a silent auction to benefit the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life at the Martini Bar at Uncle Ernie’s BayFront Grill and Brew House. Attendees will be expected to keep their lips zipped as the auction is of the silent variety.

Auction-goers will be able to enjoy food, drinks and not-so-quiet music. Stuff on the auction block includes items from Serenity Spa, Los Antijitos (I love that place), Signal Hill Golf Club, The Wine Dog (I don’t drink, but our good friend Burnie Thompson swears by this place), Jubilee Deep Sea Fishing Charters, and many more with items like 2 tickets on the Betsy Ann Riverboat, 2-person fishing expedition, massage gift basket with gift certificate to the spa, gift certificates from Andy’s Flour Power, Los Antijitos, Flamingo Joes, Liza’s Kitchen and more.

There is no cost for admission and all proceeds from the auction go directly to the American Cancer Society.

Should you have any questions, feel free to contact Lori Hale at 850 774 2624 – and be sure to tell them you read about it on pcbdaily.com!

Speckled Trout Tournament Coming Here

Speckled Trout Anglers, get your rods ready, on May 30 the Cabela’s Speckled Trout USA Tournament is coming to Panama City Beach. And, if you’re worried about whether or not you should shell out the dough for the entry fee in fear of losing your shirt – fear not!

For the first time ever, a Speckled Trout tournament circuit is coming through Panama City Beach and the entry fee is only $75. With a guaranteed purse of $10,000 with $4,000 going to the guy (or gal) who catches the biggest fish, this tournament pays good and is a great opportunity for those local anglers itching to get their fish on. If the entry pool gets over 150, the prize payout will increase. Plus, you can’t beat the great weather we have in late May, fishing our protected waterways and flats.

Cabela’s Speckled Trout USA tour started in Perry Florida in November, then moved on to Jacksonville in March, will play-out in Orange, Texas May 15th and will finish off here in Panama City Beach end of May. The largest trout caught so far was over 7 pounds.

At 6:30 am on May 30 anglers will venture out from all parts of Panama City Beach to cast lines and reel in the big ones. They’ll have until 3 pm to make their way back to shore, then until 4 pm to show up at the Amphitheater at Pier Park for the weigh-in. Anglers will be given a .2 lbs bonus for each fish kept alive for release later. This could go a long way as live fish weight more than dead fish anyway.

Pre-tournament late registration is Friday, May 29th at Edgewater Beach Resort.

If you win, bring your truth hat (or your thumbtack in your big toe) because you’ll be subject to a polygraph test to verify your honesty regarding when you left and returned from your speckled fishing trip. That’s right, a lie-detector test. I was actually surprised to hear this is not too uncommon in the tournament industry.

Full Rules:

Guaranteed purse of $10,000 in cash and prizes *(see below)
$500 awarded for largest speckled trout
$500 awarded for largest redfish (must be within state slot limit)
Purse may increase depending on number of anglers
Payback to 15% of the field
These will be individually fished tournaments but as many as five (5) participants may fish from one boat
Fish must be kept separate or marked to determine ownership
Speckled trout limit will be three (3) fish per angler
State size limits apply
Fish must be caught during tournament hours
Bait is limited to artificial bait only
No chumming allowed
Pre-tournament late registration will be held the night before the tournament from 5-7 PM at the registration site listed for each tournament
Captains meeting will be held at the host hotel following late registration the night before the tournament unless otherwise noted
Boats may launch from different locations on tournament morning(s)
Fishing hours will be from 6:30 AM until 3 PM and anglers must be in the weigh-in line with their catch by 4 PM
Polygraph tests will be given at random
Any angler who fails or refuses to take a polygraph test or whose condition does not permit administration of a test due to incapacity from alcohol or drugs will be disqualified and will not be allowed to participate in any future Outdoor Promotions, Inc. events
In case of extreme water/weather conditions, Outdoor Promotions, Inc. reserves the right to postpone or cancel any event with the return of entry fees by mail
Teams must comply with state fishing and boating regulations; fishing and boating licenses are the responsibility of each angler
The use of mobile communication devices sich as cellular phones, marine radios, etc. to communicate fishing information during tournament hours is prohibited
The use of alccoholic beverages is prohibited during any Speckled Trout USA event
The use of or display of any tobacco products in the weigh-in line, on stage, and during awards ceremonies is prohibited
Wanton unsportsmanlike conduct may be grounds for disqualification if cirumstances require; the decision of the tourmament director will be final
Door prizes valued at several hundred dollars will be distributed by random drawing
Any proceeds from the tournament will be earmarked for the Outdoor Kids Scholarship Fund

Example of payout if 100 anglers enter:

1st Place	$3,000
2nd Place	$1,500
3rd Place	$1,000
4th Place	$600
5th Place	$500
6th Place	$400
7th Place	$350
8th Place	$300
9th Place	$250
10th Place	$250
11th Place	$225
12th Place	$200
13th Place	$175
14th Place	$150
15th Place	$100
Big Speckled Trout	$500
Big Redfish	$500
Total Payout in Cash and Prizes	$10,000

How It's Done – Paving a Runway Video

So, I thought it would be cool to shoot a video on how they paved the runway, and turns out, I was right – it is cool. Maybe I’m a nerd, but I found it amazing how they brought in the concrete material, then formed it into a beautiful, nearly flawless, 15 inch slab, working many yards in mere minutes.

The dump trucks would pull under a huge loader that would fill its bed with 10 yards of concrete in 2 minutes. With the time it takes for the truck to stage its position, load and move for the next truck, a truck can be filled every 2.5 minutes.

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=3972906&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1
Paving the Runway at the new Panama City Airport from Jason Koertge on Vimeo.

The runway paving process was, I thought, interesting. Consisting of 15 inches of concrete on top of 4 inches of asphalt, the runway will be capable of handling the load of the largest of aircraft.

Each dump truck would back the loads down the asphalt sometimes up to a quarter mile, then dump their load right in front of the first machine. As the machine worked the pile of concrete to fit under its 15 inch clearance, workers would grab a sample of the concrete with shovels to take back and test. Each load of concrete was tested to be sure that it met the proper strength requirements.

As the concrete passes under the machine, 1 inch rods comb through the mixture vibrating at a high rate of speed to be sure the mixture compacts. It exits the other side a basic form, but not smoothed. The next machine refines the shape, vibrates and compacts more and spits the smoothed almost finished runway out the back end.

The main 8,600 feet of the runway is paved as of right now and upon arrival of the FAA approval of the extension, the remaining 1.400 feet will be paved in about 10 days.