Pier Park Names Felicia Robinson Cook Director of Marketing

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (April 30, 2008) – Simon Property Group announces the appointment of Felicia Robinson Cook as director of marketing for Pier Park.  Cook boasts more than 20 years of experience in marketing and previously served as the area director of business development for two Simon properties, Independence Center located in Independence, Mo., and West Ridge Mall located in Topeka, Kan.

As the director of marketing, Cook will oversee day-to-day operations and supervise all aspects of the center encompassing budgeting, financial analysis, tenant relations, lease administration, community involvement and marketing.

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Pier Park to Host 'Fun in the Sun' Street Fair This Weekend

– Event Expected to Draw Thousands of Thunder Beach Motorcycle Enthusiasts as Additional Stores at Pier Park Open –

PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL (May 1, 2008) – Pier Park, Panama City Beach’s premiere retail, dining and entertainment venue located on 93 acres that covers land from Front Beach Road (at the City Pier) to heavily traveled Highway 98 (Back Beach Road) is pleased to announce it’s first annual ‘Fun in the Sun’ Street Fair, May 1 -4, which will coincide with the semi-annual Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally and the opening of approximately 30 new stores at Pier Park.

Billed as “The Most Biker Friendly Free Rally in the United States,” the Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally is truly a community event and as the area’s newest attraction, Pier Park is anxious to be a part of the Spring 2008 Rally!

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Fed Cut Interest Rates .25% Wednesday

In what is likely to be the last rate cut – baring any more financial market blowups – in a while, The Fed cut the federal funds rate another quarter point Wednesday from 2.25% to 2%.  The rate 5% as recently as September.

The statement “downside risks to growth remain” was removed from the Fed statement indicating to many analysts that we should start to see signs of recovery and that we are showing fewer signs of a downturn.

“They haven’t closed the door to further cuts, but they’ve shut it part way,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody’s Economy.com. “They’re saying they believe they’ve done enough.”

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Pier Park Nears Completion

With many more stores set to open right around the corner, crews tirelessly work to get the rest of Pier Park ready for the masses. I was there yesterday morning and more signs are up with the interiors of retailers such as Hollister, American Eagle and Borders Books and Music are quickly taking shape.

I got to peek inside Borders, and it looks done to me. I was told that it was one of five of their largest stores nationwide. They are recruiting management from within their ranks from around the country to come down and take over. They open on May 2nd.

Among the retailers just announced are Olive Garden, Great American Cookie Company, Maurices, Famous Footwear, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Blender A Fusion Clothing Store, The Eye Gallery, Carter’s Children’s Apparel, Shimmering Seas Jewelery & Gifts, Cute N’ Sassy Children’s Boutique and Things Remembered.

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Analysts say Northwest Florida already prospering

Assuming the current climate of the Florida real estate market, many investors are weary of St. Joe stock.  With it peaking at around $80/share in mid 2005, shares were at $42.30 this morning.  One thing that may not be as commonly known is the powerful position St. Joe is actually in.

If you remember a couple of weeks ago, I quoted Bob Toll in his “hunker-down” statement:

“You move from an expansion mode to protecting your balance sheet immediately. . .  Then you hunker down, build up your cash, wait for the blood in the streets and take advantage of the opportunities.”

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A Written Warning to College Spring Breakers

Mark Canfora, in his effort to reduce the harm brought by college spring break has requested that a “Disclaimer and Warning” be placed in all hotel rooms, condos, convenience stores, etc. as long as college spring break is promoted by the TDC.

He wrote a letter to the Mayor of Panama City Beach requesting that this issue be officially legally assessed on the ability of the city to actually carry out this plan, the letter reads:

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Bay County Value Adjustment Board cuts assessments

The Bay County VAB, or Value Adjustment Board, reviewed just under 600 properties and cut assessments on many. Some were cut by percentages, others by who dollar amounts, and some individually and others whole areas. Bid-A-Wee Beach, for example, received lower assessments on all 521 properties with 15% cut for properties closer to the water and the rest of the subdivision received 10% cuts.

Not every case heard received cuts, most assessment cuts were based on 2007 sales numbers, which more accurately reflected current market values.

Summer Kids Movies at The Grand in Pier Park

As blogged by Jerry The Grand Theater in Pier Park will have something called Summer Kids Flicks for 10 weeks including movies such as Everyone’s Hero, Open Season, Ice Age, Charlotte’s Web, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Bee Movie, Flushed Away, Madagascar, Jimmy Neutron, and Over the Hedge every Tuesday and Wednesday starting June 3.

The theater will open at 9:30 with the movies starting at 10 am.  Tickets are $3.00 and include popcorn and children’s soda.

Panama City Beach featured in AJC

“Panama City Beach rocks with new attractions, hotels, eateries”, the title reads. Atlanta, arguably PCB’s biggest fan, featured an article talking about all the new stuff that has come to our beach in the last year. In addition to all the new shops and restaurants that are now available at Pier Park, the FSU Flying High Circus will be coming to Frank Brown Park this summer. They’ve got a contract to do this for the next 10 years. Trapeze artists, clowns, jugglers and acrobatic daredevils will be performing 6 nights a week with many of the performers also being instructors at a summer camp hosted for children ages 7-12.