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Faa Decision To Relocate Airport

Bobby J avatar
Bobby JBeach Fanatic
9,377 views
PANAMA CITY BEACH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

SUPPORTS FAA DECISION TO RELOCATE AIRPORT



Panama City Beach, FL (September 15, 2006) ? The Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Debi Knight issued the following statement in response to the Federal Aviation Administration?s approval to relocate the Panama City ? Bay County International Airport to West Bay:



?The Panama City Beach Chamber is very pleased with the FAA?s decision to relocate the Panama City ? Bay County airport to West Bay. First and foremost, this decision guarantees us an airport that meets all federal safety standards. But more importantly, this decision creates tremendous opportunity for Panama City Beach, Bay County and all of Northwest Florida.



?The new airport will be a tremendous economic development platform ? a very important tool for us to use to attract new businesses and high-quality jobs. It puts Bay County in a whole new category as we work to bring economic development to our region.



?With a new airport, we will be in a much stronger position to improve air service, attract a low cost airline and bring more competitive airfares to Northwest Florida. We won?t have to travel to Pensacola or Tallahassee in search of a reasonable airfare.?



?The environmental benefits of relocation are also substantial, including the creation of the West Bay Preservation Area and the protection of nearly the entire shoreline of West Bay.



?The FAA, the nation?s foremost aviation experts, has answered every critic and responded to every comment with their thorough study. We appreciate their efforts on our behalf. And we thank our airport authority for their commitment it protecting and improving our quality of life.



?A new day is dawning in Northwest Florida ? and we have every reason to be optimistic about our future.? :clap_1:

Replies

47
Kurt avatar
KurtAdmin
#2
Now I know why there are 30,000 condos under construction, a theme park coming, new highways being built, cruise ships arriving . . . .
TooFarTampa avatar
TooFarTampaSoWal Insider
#3
Why hasn't final approval been issued yet? If I recall construction was supposed to begin a year ago. Since we have heard nothing new on the airport in months and months, I wonder if there is talk about shelving it for now because of the economic climate. Any scuttlebutt? What's the holdup?:idontno:
Bobby J avatar
Bobby JBeach FanaticAuthor
#4
It will take us awhile to grasp the reality of this but when it hits we shall see a market turn back around and fast. I have already had two calls on big development peices in North Walton because of this. Also, look at areas that have an international airport. They tend to boom!!!!
Kurt avatar
KurtAdmin
#5
Why hasn't final approval been issued yet? If I recall construction was supposed to begin a year ago. Since we have heard nothing new on the airport in months and months, I wonder if there is talk about shelving it for now because of the economic climate. Any scuttlebutt? What's the holdup?:idontno:

It's been on schedule - a long permit process has been going on and then FAA approval process.
Kurt avatar
KurtAdmin
#6
http://pcairport.bechtel.com

The Panama City-Bay County Airport and Industrial District workshop previously scheduled for August 31, 2006 has been rescheduled to September 21, 2006. The District is seeking industry input regarding construction management options pertaining to the relocation of the Panama City-Bay County International Airport. This project has an estimated construction cost of $278 million. The project is expected to begin construction in early to mid 2007. The Airport Board will be conducting this special workshop to allow interested firms the opportunity to share their experiences concerning construction management of airports and to recommend specific construction management approaches and construction delivery methods for the implementation of the relocation of the airport. This workshop will be held at 9 a.m. (CST) on September 21, 2006, in the Board Room on the second floor of the Panama City-Bay County International Airport terminal building, Panama City, Florida. For further information please contact Randy Curtis, Executive Director, (850)763-6751.
tivoli avatar
tivoliBeach Lover
#7
PANAMA CITY BEACH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

SUPPORTS FAA DECISION TO RELOCATE AIRPORT



Panama City Beach, FL (September 15, 2006) ? The Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Debi Knight issued the following statement in response to the Federal Aviation Administration?s approval to relocate the Panama City ? Bay County International Airport to West Bay:



?The Panama City Beach Chamber is very pleased with the FAA?s decision to relocate the Panama City ? Bay County airport to West Bay. First and foremost, this decision guarantees us an airport that meets all federal safety standards. But more importantly, this decision creates tremendous opportunity for Panama City Beach, Bay County and all of Northwest Florida.



?The new airport will be a tremendous economic development platform ? a very important tool for us to use to attract new businesses and high-quality jobs. It puts Bay County in a whole new category as we work to bring economic development to our region.



?With a new airport, we will be in a much stronger position to improve air service, attract a low cost airline and bring more competitive airfares to Northwest Florida. We won?t have to travel to Pensacola or Tallahassee in search of a reasonable airfare.?



?The environmental benefits of relocation are also substantial, including the creation of the West Bay Preservation Area and the protection of nearly the entire shoreline of West Bay.



?The FAA, the nation?s foremost aviation experts, has answered every critic and responded to every comment with their thorough study. We appreciate their efforts on our behalf. And we thank our airport authority for their commitment it protecting and improving our quality of life.



?A new day is dawning in Northwest Florida ? and we have every reason to be optimistic about our future.? :clap_1:


Thanks for posting that awesome information.... The whole area of
South Walton is going to be put on the US radar map, once the Airport
announcement is made and the press gets wind, I would speculate that
a lot of investors will come knocking soon. This is great news for the
area.... Living in Indiana most people act like I'm talking about a foreign
place when I mention Seaside, Seagrove, Watercolor/Watersound, Alys
and Rosemary. Also, Sandestin is where?? The International Airport
will make all of the above-mentioned areas accessible from any part of
the country.....

Also, Melvin Simon, Simon Properties, Indianapolis, has already done his
homework in regard to Pier Park..... I'm sure he had seen the writing
on the wall with the possibility of an International Airport coming into the
area..... Congrats to South Walton with the FAA's approval.......
destinsmBeach Lover
#8
I have been perusing this message board for a few months now and everybody comments that what makes SoWal great is the non commercial, laid back, slow living, down home feel, that the SoWal beaches and commmunity provide...

If this airport comes in and all your grandiose predictions come true you will be just the same as any other over developed, traffic laden, big box store, chain restraunt haven, all the other beach communities in FL have become...

I was under the impression that most of you would despise this news, but in the end I guess the dollar signs in your head trump thoughts of what made SoWal so "special" (in your words) to begin with...

:idontno:
Uncle Timmy avatar
Uncle TimmyBeach Fanatic
#9
I have been perusing this message board for a few months now and everybody comments that what makes SoWal great is the non commercial, laid back, slow living, down home feel, that the SoWal beaches and commmunity provide...

If this airport comes in and all your grandiose predictions come true you will be just the same as any other over developed, traffic laden, big box store, chain restraunt haven, all the other beach communities in FL have become...

I was under the impression that most of you would despise this news, but in the end I guess the dollar signs in your head trump thoughts of what made SoWal so "special" (in your words) to begin with...

:idontno:

Development is coming to America's coasts regardless.

I think I speak for most locals when I say that in spite of the fact that we all loved the slower paced, quiet area this used to be, we understand that development has come and will continue to come.

The question at this stage is "What kind of development do we want?"

South Walton has done a remarkable job is establishing itself as a different beach destination from the mega-condo dominated cities of most coastal areas.

However, we all understand that to an extent, the long term pressure is on us to relax our strict regulations an open up this area to the kind of high density development you find across the county line in Panama City Beach.

Unless, of course, we can continue to make the kind of development we have here economically successful. Opening us up to new markets is one way to do that. That is why I am pleased to hear that the new airport is moving forward.

If, for example, Alys Beach was to fail in the next few years -it isn't going to just lie there fallow....it will eventually be bought up by some developer who will slap up some cheap condos or ugly townhomes with a much higher density than Alys has planned.

As for the laid back, slow living part of the equation -that is a job for the locals to maintain that spirit regardless of what kind of development we have.

Edited

Kurt avatar
KurtAdmin
#10
I have been perusing this message board for a few months now and everybody comments that what makes SoWal great is the non commercial, laid back, slow living, down home feel, that the SoWal beaches and commmunity provide...

If this airport comes in and all your grandiose predictions come true you will be just the same as any other over developed, traffic laden, big box store, chain restraunt haven, all the other beach communities in FL have become...

I was under the impression that most of you would despise this news, but in the end I guess the dollar signs in your head trump thoughts of what made SoWal so "special" (in your words) to begin with...

:idontno:

We've already seen it change a lot and understand it is inevitable that what you fear will come to pass. The airport is only part of the equation, and it has been accepted that it was going to happen. This news comes as no suprise.

Some will be happy with the changes and some will not.
JohnBeach Fanatic
#11
I have been perusing this message board for a few months now and everybody comments that what makes SoWal great is the non commercial, laid back, slow living, down home feel, that the SoWal beaches and commmunity provide...

If this airport comes in and all your grandiose predictions come true you will be just the same as any other over developed, traffic laden, big box store, chain restraunt haven, all the other beach communities in FL have become...

I was under the impression that most of you would despise this news, but in the end I guess the dollar signs in your head trump thoughts of what made SoWal so "special" (in your words) to begin with...

:idontno:

Good point. It's a mixed blessing. Good and bad can come from it. Hopefully mostly good.
Bobby J avatar
Bobby JBeach FanaticAuthor
#12
I have been perusing this message board for a few months now and everybody comments that what makes SoWal great is the non commercial, laid back, slow living, down home feel, that the SoWal beaches and commmunity provide...

If this airport comes in and all your grandiose predictions come true you will be just the same as any other over developed, traffic laden, big box store, chain restraunt haven, all the other beach communities in FL have become...

I was under the impression that most of you would despise this news, but in the end I guess the dollar signs in your head trump thoughts of what made SoWal so "special" (in your words) to begin with...

:idontno:


I have lived in South Walton for 25 years. I have sold oranges and Christmas trees on the side of the road to be able to live here. It gets really hard here in the winters. We all have mixed emotions about the growth but we still have to pay bills. Many people that vacation or retire here have the draw bridge theory. "We have we what we want now the rest of you go away". I am glad for positve growth so I do not have to go back to the Christmas trees. South Walton will never be what you describe because of all the State land. I feel our density will always be low here. The Airport will bring more jobs, better jobs, etc. Just more to do here. Everywhere I travel I see growth! Heck, Costa Rico is out of control. Sowal is going to be OK. We just need a little posive push every once in awhile. BTW, SoWAl will always be special. Density, Density, Density!
Bob avatar
BobSoWal Insider
#13
It will take us awhile to grasp the reality of this but when it hits we shall see a market turn back around and fast. I have already had two calls on big development peices in North Walton because of this. Also, look at areas that have an international airport. They tend to boom!!!!
Orlando once had a terminal like PC. In 1981, the new North terminal opened, and the rest is history. O-town had 30,000,000 visitors fly in
for the first time in 2000. I hope growth in the panhandle is a little slower for the local's sake. Unabated growth has a very dark side.
Bs1chiro avatar
Bs1chiroBeach Lover
#14
Well stated Bobby J...and besides..the airport will be in Bay county not Walton and is about 20 miles from the beaches of SoWal. So relax, ya'll!!!:cool:
Mango avatar
MangoSoWal Insider
#15
Well stated Bobby J...and besides..the airport will be in Bay county not Walton and is about 20 miles from the beaches of SoWal. So relax, ya'll!!!:cool:

:chill:
TooFarTampa avatar
TooFarTampaSoWal Insider
#16
Apparently the FAA issued approval to the airport on Friday. Here is a link to an article in today's St. Pete Times, which led the front page. I'm sorry but the airport looks more and more like a boondoggle, given the current economic climate. Not saying that it won't make sense a few years down the road, but who is going to pay Bay County $50 million for the site of the current airport when there are so many unsold developments? St. Joe? Right now? :idontno: And how will it get done without that money?

If I were a Bay County taxpayer I would be concerned.

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/09/16/State/Panama_City_airport_o.shtml

Edited

montyBeach Comber
#18
It will take us awhile to grasp the reality of this but when it hits we shall see a market turn back around and fast. I have already had two calls on big development peices in North Walton because of this. Also, look at areas that have an international airport. They tend to boom!!!!

It will take a lot more than a new airport to turn this or any other resort market around. It will take low, low interest rates again, no hurricanes for years, and much lower prices on the lots and houses in the area. The second home marketplace got way ahead of itself from sea to shining sea. Inventories are sky high, more product is coming to market, prices are free falling and there aren't many buyers out there.

It will be a long, long time before the real estate market comes back, and this is especially true for second homes. The market along 30A is no mure unique than Palm Beach, Naples, Kiawah, Amelia, Hilton Head and other areas are in their own way.

Builders are already beginning to try to dump inventory. Just look at what John Willis is doing with prices of homes in Cypress Dunes, Santa Rosa Beach Villas and Watercolor. St Joe is getting out of the home building market. Prices are falling below 2004 prices and they still have a way to go. Apparently, a house in Phase II in Watercolor just sold for under $700k.

Hang on, the ride down will continue to be bumpy.
Bobby J avatar
Bobby JBeach FanaticAuthor
#19
Like I said it will take us awhile for us to grasp the reality of this... When it does it alone "can" turn a market around. Not to mention this market is moving forward. In certain areas it is getting hit but overall we are way ahead of our last slow market which was in 2003. 2006 versus 2003 is alot stronger on my books.
Bob avatar
BobSoWal Insider
#20
Apparently the FAA issued approval to the airport on Friday. Here is a link to an article in today's St. Pete Times, which led the front page. I'm sorry but the airport looks more and more like a boondoggle, given the current economic climate. Not saying that it won't make sense a few years down the road, but who is going to pay Bay County $50 million for the site of the current airport when there are so many unsold developments? St. Joe? Right now? :idontno: And how will it get done without that money?

If I were a Bay County taxpayer I would be concerned.

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/09/16/State/Panama_City_airport_o.shtml
To put the cost of the airport in perspective, the United States is currently spending 10 billion dollars a month in Iraq, money which is borrowed, and will be paid for by future generations. The benefit of this obscene monthly figure is zilch. The 300 million spent on the airport will spark the economic engine of the entire panhandle. Future generations will benefit economically from easy access to the region. A new NBA arena costs much more than the airport in question.

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