Pier Park North – List of Stores NOT Coming, and Details About the Development

Jason Koertge has an awesome vacation rental business in Panama City Beach that focuses on remarkable properties around the Pier Park area. They range from 1 to 3 bedrooms, they’re clean, and amazing. He can be found at PCBLP.com.

There’s been tons of buzz about what’s happening and what’s not happening at Pier Park North. There has been plenty of speculation about what it is, who’s doing it, why and how. To add, there have been articles that have published a list of stores coming, then later changed to report that they were prospective stores. Of course, all this adds to the buzz that is currently surrounding that whole area. We’ve talked about Aaron Bessant Park improvements, a new Walmart and a Target expansion all in this little area.

So let’s talk about the facts, what we know and leave what we don’t know to another article where we can dream.

For clarification purposes, we’ll refer to the portion of Pier Park that is already developed as Pier Park South. This is just to avoid confusion, it’s not actually called Pier Park South.

Who’s developing the mall.

Simon Property Group developed Pier Park South. They bought the land from St. Joe and have right to use the name Pier Park – although the name is still owned by St. Joe; trademarked, really. The Pier Park brand has been used to identify that area for many years.

Pier Park North is being dubbed such because of that control St. Joe has with the brand. They are leasing (or selling) the land to mall developer Glimcher. Glimcher is a publicly traded company that has 24 mall developments in 15 states.

They have full-size conventional malls, strip malls and outlet malls and they are considered a genuine competitor to Simon Property Group.

But with this development, I don’t think it’s necessarily about the competition, but rather the growth in shopping options.

Size, shape and location.

The published square footage that will be developed is 396,000, which is 36% the size of the Pier Park we know on the south side of Panama City Beach Parkway. This is plenty large enough to have several “anchor” stores intertwined with a variety of smaller shops.

One of the elements that sets Pier Park South apart from conventional outdoor malls is the way it was designed. There are nooks, crannies and all sorts of other architectural individualities that really make it a fun place just to walk around. There are alcoves, seating areas, large open areas for the kids to run and a variety of recreation areas. These characteristics are what make Pier Park South a destination to not just shop, but to hang out.

Of course, this was done intentionally – people that hang out where stuff is sold tend to buy stuff.

From the plans, Pier Park North will not be this way. The facade will be straight and flat. There will not be tiered levels or shops that come out or are set back from others. From a retail development optimization perspective, this is ideal. This development method maximized square footage and ensures equal visibility to all stores. However, this design will lack the character of Pier Park South.

Although no artistic renderings have been released, Panama City Beach City Planners are expecting the actual look to be consistent with Pier Park South: bright colors, hardy board plank siding, and some accent towers (think of the tower at Five Guys).

The location of the development will be due north of Pier Park South, will have frontage right on the Parkway and will back right up to a conservation area that will serve as a buffer zone between it and Palmetto Trace.

Pier Park North will have three points of entry from Back Beach Road and one point of entry from Pier Park Drive N.

About the stores that are coming.

The funny thing about submitting plans to the local planning authority is that one typically includes a list of potential stores to give the planners an idea of the size and type of stores that would or could come. Typically the store logos on the plans are just for concept and don’t usually indicate any potential lease negotiations.

When Pier Park South was in the planning stages, I personally saw all sorts of names being thrown around. I saw plans with Best Buy, Belks and a variety of others that never were necessarily intended to be tenants. I was told over and over that I could not release these names because they were not necessarily being announced as potential tenants, they were just on the plans as examples.

The images of the plans here include logos, such as this. However, none of these have been announced by the developer as signed lease holders. In fact, we’re way too early in the game to even have a hint as to who would be coming to Pier Park North. Typically mall developers won’t officially start releasing names until a predetermined amount of time before they’ll be open.

Here is a list of stores that have been speculated on, which some may come, but none have been officially endorsed as actually signing a lease. Estimates based on the plans indicate there will be 20 to 40 stores with 7 to 15 anchor stores.

Dick’s Sporting Goods
Bed Bath & Beyond
Michaels
Fresh Market
Pier 1 Imports
Kirklands
Ross Dress for Less
Shoe Carnival
Petco
Toys R Us
Rooms to Go
Men’s Warehouse
VisionWorks
Osaka’s
Cheddars

Images of the plans

This is an overview of the project.

From here you can see how the proximity of the development to the residential area.

As you can see, there are logos for retail shops. This is in no way intended to document that these brands are actually coming to the development.

Again, more brand logos. This is just to give you an idea of the type, size and location of stores like this.

This image gives us some hope of the tower-like structures that are found in the existing Pier Park development.

When the mall development will be open for business.

As of right now, the timeline plans indicate that construction will begin in March of this year with stores to be opening approximately one year later. Of course, timelines are meant to slip and no dirt has been moved as of yet. Although survey crew have been spotted on the property.

Location as it relates to Palmetto Trace.

What has seemed like q quiet community in the past, Palmetto Trace residents are in an uproar about this new development. They’ve recently been very vocal about the Aaron Bessant Park improvements and they aren’t happy about a new mall development being erected so close to their homes.

Looking at the size of the buffer zone, it’s likely that many of the homes will be able to see the back of the mall development through some conservation area. There is a pretty good distance between the back of the mall development and the homes, but also a large area of it is water, which doesn’t help much to buffer sound.

What are your thoughts on this new development? Do you think it will help the community grow? Do you think it’s a smart way to grow? If you’re a Palmetto Trace resident, what are your thoughts on this?

4th Annual Stars and Guitars

January 21st, 2011 the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, a local non-profit, will be holding the 4th Annual Country Music Jamboree “Stars and Guitars.” The event is the primary fundraiser for the organization, raising funds that provide services to children suffering from abuse and neglect in our community. At 7pm country stars Andy Griggs, Daryle Singletary, Ashton Shephard, and Randy Houser will take the Marina Civic Center stage! During intermission, there will be a live auction.

In the local community there were over 8,000 reports of child abuse and neglect last year. Tragic and disturbing, these numbers show how much the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center needs our help, so that they are able to make an impact in our community.

Tickets are on sales for $27.50 for floor tickets, and $20 for balcony. Tickets can be purchased by calling the GCCAC at 850-872-7760 or online at the GCCAC or Marina Civic Center.

Thank-you for helping the GCCAC help neglected and children in our area!

Oyster Bash to Restore Sealab I

The Man in the Sea Museum, local secret, is scheduled to host a fundraiser to repair the Sealab I.

What is Sealab I?

First lowered in 1964 off the coast of Bermuda, Sealab I was an underwater laboratory for U.S. Navy divers. It was submerged 192 feet with four divers and scheduled to stay for three weeks; however, due to an approaching tropical storm it was removed after 11 days. The Sealab I allowed for proof that saturation diving in the open ocean was viable for extended periods and provided information about habitat placement, umbilicals, humidity, and helium speech descrambling. Sealab I was tested off the waters of Panama City Beach, FL.

How Will They Raise the Money?

Man in the Sea will hold an Oyster Bash at The Dive Lab on January 20th, 2012 from 3pm-7pm. (The Dive Lab is located at 1415 Moylan Road, across from Panama Jack’s.) Aiming to raise $250,000 for the restoration and a structure to contain and display Sealab I, the Oyster Bash will kick-off the fundraising program. This is the first Oyster Bash, but if the event is a success, they are hoping to make it an annual one!

Tickets are for sale online and at the museum for $25, which will cover all-you-can-eat raw and steamed oysters, cheese grits, and hot dogs. Beer will be available at an additional cost. Table sponsorships are available for $500; includes ten tickets and ten beer mugs that can be refilled at no additional charge.

Will you help restore Sealab I?

Consider The Beach Renourished

For the past three months many have wondered about the lights and heavy machinery working on the beach around the clock. The confusion which came with the $16 million beach renourishment project is now over!

1.4 million cubic yards of sand were pumped to 7.5 miles of beach, in many locations extending the shoreline by 100 feet. This project was the third of the major renourishment projects in Panama City Beach in the past 12 years.

“Preserving Panama City Beach’s natural resources is a top priority for area officials,” adds Rowe. “This commitment can be seen in the beach restoration as well as the recent opening of our Conservation Park. We look forward to welcoming guests seeking authentic beach vacations and ecotourism experiences.”

Renourishment is key to fighting against the erosion caused by dune destruction and reduction. Please help Panama City Beach prolong the areas impacted by the project by respecting the dunes, sea grass,and sea oats!

Winter Resident Appreciation Days Continue

Welcoming the winter residents of PCB and thanking them for their visit, the Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau will hold a Winter Resident Appreciation day this Friday. Stop by the Panama City Beach Visitor Information Center from 9:00am-11:00am on January 6th for complimentary coffee and donuts. Also, you’ll be able to register for giveaways and gain information on seasonal events and areas of interest.

Thank you for calling PCB your home this winter!

Stand-Up Comedy Series at The Cantina

Starting on Friday January 6th, The Cantina at Pier Park will kick-off a new year of Friday night stand-up comedy. Each Friday at 8:30pm The Cantina will present two professional comedians who are touring the country with their stand-up acts.

This week’s acts include P.J. Butland and Russell Ehrett. P.J. Butland can be described as “Six feet, six inches of bald comedy muscle” and “Bold, bawdy, and brash” Russell Ehrett’s comedy style has been described as “Revenge of the nerd.” Other headliners who are coming through this month are Rickey Reyes and Stewart Huff, both regulars on the national comedy circuit.

Seating is first come, first serve- so make sure to get their early! More information is available on The Cantina’s website.

Have a few laughs with your friends this Friday or in Fridays to come!

Family Safety Initiative To Launch

This coming Thursday (January 5th) Secretary David Wilkins, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and President and CEO of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence Tiffany Carr will be available to discuss the coming of a new initiative in the Northwest region of Florida. Aimed at the creation of a comprehensive approach to reducing domestic violence and child abuse in Bay, Gulf, and Cahoun counties- the Northwest Florida Regional Domestic Violence and Child Welfare Initiative will be launching soon!

Thursday January 5th from 9:30-10:am at the Wyndham Bay Point Resort these three will meet the media to discuss the future of the initiative and from 10:00am-2:30pm there will be a community day at the same location.

2011 Record Tourism in PCB

First let me say, hi! Now that we’re through the pleasantries, let’s get down to business!

For those of you that have been keeping an eye on the market the past 10 months, you know that Panama City Beach has seen the fruition of a huge pent-up demand for our white sandy beaches. Coming out of a recovering market and a near cataclysmic oil spill situation, Panama City Beach was ripe for the picking this year and we have the numbers to prove it.

Following is a report on the bed tax revenue for Panama City Beach as reported to Bay County and provided to the Tourist Development Council.

Summer of 2010

The summer of 2010 should really be taken right off the record. The tourism numbers were terrible. Industry-related businesses all up and down the beach reported record-shattering lows, driving some out of business and others right into their savings accounts.

It was so nasty, we did a whole series on the travails.

But, just for conversation’s sake, let’s take a look at the numbers.

May — — $1,075,882.69
June — — $1,884,269.21
July — — $1,967,020.33
August — — $807,936.59
September — — $795,301.87

Summer of 2009

Rolling into the summer of 2009, the spring months were record breaking. We were experiencing a strong increase over the previous year and the summer was pacing to be the same. Numbers were an honest 10 to 15% increase over the previous year, which is considered healthy.

Here are the numbers.

May — — $998,779.40
June — — $1,946,037.92
July — — $2,302,863.86
August — — $947,596.17
September — — $795,698.44

Summer of 2011

Compared to the summer of 2010, this past summer’s bed tax revenue numbers were earthquake-inducing. Looking at the numbers, one begins to wonder where all those people stayed. I can tell you, with me being in the tourism business now, the summer was just absolutely nuts. We were booked solid from June 1 through the end of August with nary a vacancy.

Here are the numbers.

May — — $1,127,340.30 — 4.78% up from 2010; 11.4% up from 2009
June — — $2,283,706.72 — 21.2% up from 2010; 14.7% up from 2009
July — — $2,966,913.96 — 50.83% up from 2010; 22% up from 2009
August — — $1,086,541.59 — 34.48% up from 2010; 12.7% up from 2009
September — — $928,161.56 — 16.71% up from 2010; 14.2% up from 2009

Looks like we’re back on track.

Ya know, coming out of last year’s disaster, any improvement was a welcome sight. But looking at the numbers over last year, it feels like we just picked up where we would have been left off, had we had a normal summer in 2010. This is positive and encouraging considering most of us locals’ livelihood relies on tourism to feed our families.

Speaking from someone who knows, this past summer was certainly feast over famine for us, and we certainly anticipate the same for next year.