With tourist here from all over the southeast (and some beyond), Panama City Beach is packed with people who love our beaches.
I made a quick timelapse of all the traffic, and to make it a little more fun, I put it all in reverse.
Check after the break for the vid.
Continue reading “Summer is here, and Panama City Beach is Busy”
I was out at Pier Park tonight, and it was crazy – and I don’t even think it was a busy night. There were people everywhere.
I was talking to the mall manager the other day and he was telling me that the place really starts to fill up around 5:30 and stays busy until close to midnight! Almost every time I go there, I can’t hardly find a parking place in the big lot on the east and usually end up having to walk a while.
I was talking to someone the other day about how there seems to have been so much pent up demand, now that we have great shopping, it almost doesn’t seem like enough.
There are almost 100 stores open now, with more than 30 more slated to open in the near future.
I’d say Pier Park is a huge success, and keeps getting better.
More pictures after the break.
Every year it keeps coming back, whether we like it or not. June grass isn’t actually grass, but an algae bloom that usually washes ashore at the beginning of each summer. It usually lasts around a month.
June grass is not harmful or toxic, but is sure feels funny on the legs when you are in the water and usually fills your pockets.
Actually, this isn’t exactly breaking news, but I thought it was worthy of noting as almost half of you are not here and may or may not have known about this.
The county built a boardwalk that goes over the dunes between the county pier and the Sterling Reed Condos off of Front Beach Road on Panama City Beach. They still have not started construction on the pier, but this boardwalk is nice because it offers a couple off-shoots down to the beach. I love seeing nice stuff like this because it makes our beaches more accessible.
Continue reading “County Installed Boardwalk at County Pier”
Ok, so the big question is, lifeguards on Panama City Beach – everyone else is doing it, why aren’t we? Local officials have argued that the cost is too much and the liability is too great. What!!?? What is everyone else doing? I should quantify “everyone else.”
As reported by the News Herald’s Ed Offley (great article Ed!) lifeguards can be found on the east coast from Jacksonville to Miami and on the Gulf Coast from Sarasota to Naples, not to mention most of the Panhandle has lifeguards posted on the beaches, including Walton County and Destin. As reported, the 43 miles of shoreline in Gulf County doesn’t have any issues with rip currents as it is protected in large part by Cape San Blas.
Continue reading “Life Guards on Panama City Beach – everyone else is doing it!”
The construction of the new Panama City – Bay County International Airport is ahead of schedule. The entire 1300 acres of the initial footprint is cleared with crews to start paving the main entry way from 388 in the next couple of weeks.
The recent approval of the state budget that included $12 million from the state will fund the first extension of the runway. Day one of operation for the new airport will include a full 10,000 foot runway. In addition, all the preparatory work will be done so that when they need to lengthen the runway to the full 12,000 feet, it will take a mere matter of months.
Something else that is cool about the construction of the new airport is that the terminal will be LEED certified using all recycled material. The stormwater treatment will be 50% greater than what is required.
There will be an additional 1400 acres outside the airport property that will be used for commercial development.
Check after the break for the video and more pictures.
Continue reading “VIDEO: Panama City – Bay County International Airport Construction Update”
The new West Bay bridge on State Highway 79 is nearing completion. The bridge deck is completed all the way across with the surface being worked on right now.
Check after the break for more pictures.
Continue reading “New West Bay Bridge on 79 Almost Complete”
Sit Back and Enjoy the Ride
Save On Gas And Still See The Sights, Pier Park Express Service Starts
PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL (June 20, 2008) – Express Yourself… to some of the beaches best destinations.
Pier Park Express, Inc. and the Bay Town Trolley announce another option for tourists and locals to enjoy this summer… a ride on the Pier Park Express!
Why waste valuable vacation time and money at the pump! The Pier Park Express rolls out its summer 2008 service this weekend, beginning Friday, June 20, 2008. Potential riders are encouraged to hop-on-board the Pier Park Express to take-in the local sights, visit attractions, and experience the fine cuisine and world-class shopping and entertainment venues on Panama City Beach, Florida.
Pier Park Express Trolleys will travel simultaneously along the new EXPRESS trolley routes from the Super Wal-Mart on Front Beach Road to Pier Park. Each trolley is scheduled to provide service to stops approximately every 30 minutes.
Continue reading “Pier Park Express – Trolley Service from Wal-Mart to Pier Park”
Technology has gotten so that we can do so with little risk of a spill. With little spillage during Katrina from the Gulf oil rigs, many elected and appointed officials agree. But, I ask, is 7 million gallons of oil a small amount?
China’s rumored to be doing it, why can’t we?
With the cost of oil skyrocketing, we have an immediate need to relieve some of the pressure this crisis is causing. But, would this really help?
With an estimated 5.2 barrels of oil in the Gulf, how long would it take for us to see a difference? Would this really alleviate pressure? Analysts say that it would take at least a decade for oil companies to obtain permits, get the equipment ready and do the exploration necessary to start pumping oil, and even by then, the newly pumped oil would do little to affect the global supply and in turn have little effect on the price of gas.
Continue reading “Should we drill for oil off the coast of Florida?”
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.
PCBDaily 