Panama City Beach Future

SHELLYSoWal Insider5,763 postsJoined Jun 13, '05View profile MessageSoWal Insider

Nov 12, '06 · 10:31 AM13,325

I know to many of you upon reading the phase "Panama City Beach" immediately think "eeeeewwww!" But try putting that aside for just a moment and read on.

I've come across an interesting article from Clearwater Beach (Florida)--that I'll link below. I found it interesting how the current situation at Clearwater mirrors PCB. Clearwater is mulling over the economic fallout its city may experience from the real estate boom over the next several years. Key among them is the razing of multiple "mom & pop" hotels and businesses to be replaced by "upscale" condos and shops--many of which have never come to fruition.

From its beginning, Clearwater, like PCB, was a beach vacation area for blue collar workers and their families--with all the "stigma" of such attached. Now both beach towns, in an effort to transform into "upscale" vacation locales, have wiped out reasonably-priced accommodations and attractions. Problem is, the condo boom has gone bust leaving Clearwater in limbo...it's no longer welcoming to the folks who made it a vibrant family tourist destination, and, because of it's "low-brow" stigma (that "eeeewwwwww" you're thinking) and many half-baked "upscale" projects, it will not attract the "well-heeled and wealthy" target audience it set out to attract when it originally put the plans on paper.

Will Clearwater and PCB end up in "tourist limbo?" What will the first summer after the boom (2007) hold in store economically for PCB?

Clearwater Beach Article

Replies

Mango

MangoSoWal InsiderNew York/ Santa Rosa Beach9,699 postsJoined Apr 7, '06View profile MessageSoWal Insider

Nov 17, '06 · 7:45 AM#52

The Walton Funn, November 16, 2006

New Condo hopes to Attract a Nostalgic Crowd.

Janus Development of Birmingham, Alabama announced its plans for a new Condominium on the west end of Panama City Beach.

The condominium will feature a ?Panama City in the 70?s? theme. ?We really felt that the time was right for someone to buck the trend of increasingly upscale developments and get back to the spirit of the original Redneck Riviera.?, said Janus President Mark Taylor.

Taylor went on to explain, ?We feel that there is a huge market for the nostalgia of earlier times, and for Panama City that means the kitchy tacky developments characterized by tiki huts and fake waterfalls.?

Shirley Basfield of Atmore signed a pre-construction contract for one of the 7th floor units. ?When I saw the drawings I just loved the whole concept. When I was a little girl we would drive down to PC from Alabama and would stay in these magical themed motels which to me seemed like being in a dream?.or at least in an episode of the Flintstones.?

The condo complex will feature gold and avocado appliances, and an extensive use of wall paneling. Otherwise the color scheme is best described as ?brown, with hints of earthtone.?

The developers are also hoping to attract another niche market, nicotine addicted seniors. In keeping with the times, the entire resort will be smoker friendly.

30gAy..................:nono1: :rolling: :funn:

30gAy

30gAyBeach FanaticThe greater SoWal metro area417 postsJoined Jul 4, '06View profile MessageBeach Fanatic

Nov 17, '06 · 9:03 AM#53

30gAy..................:nono1: :rolling: :funn:

How dare you wiggle your finger at me.......clearly I deserve a spanking.

Edited Nov 17, '06 · 9:05 AM

Bob

BobSoWal InsiderO'Wal10,368 postsJoined Nov 16, '04View profile MessageSoWal Insider

Nov 17, '06 · 2:23 PM#54

this place is no more southern than clearwater anymore.
if it were all southern, there'd be about 200 people here.

everytime somebody says "that's how we do it in the south."
i ask them where they're from, and they say canada or ohio.

in fact, i think they'll find a HUGE market for the kitschy stuff with wealthy yankees, not "rednecks" or "working class alabamans" or whatever classist condescending slur people are using today for southerners.

much like when miami was rejuvenated for the young hipsters. it was the restoration of the old-time miami feel that made it special for visitors. they understood the value of the indigenous architecture and history in making the city relevant again to the tourism industry and rebuilding the economy.

You are confusing art-deco architecture with the axis of evil for trashy looking beach towns Daytona,Myrtle Beach, and PC.

00seer0000seer00Beach LoverPCB112 postsJoined Oct 12, '06View profile MessageBeach Lover

Nov 19, '06 · 12:53 PM#55

I own the land across the street from peeks, we were under contract with the 14 acres behind me. Katrina hit and caused the contract to go soft out of fear. Peeks were asking 31M at that time and the whole deal was priced at around 54M. I bet 32M might buy it all now.

mfmfBanned208 postsJoined May 14, '06View profile MessageBanned

Nov 19, '06 · 9:51 PM#56

You are confusing art-deco architecture with the axis of evil for trashy looking beach towns Daytona,Myrtle Beach, and PC.

ok, true! 🙂
i have elevated it to a whole new level. and undeservingly 🙂
but let's be frank if people are buying this trashy looking stucco, i'm sure they'll buy "retro" spring break chic 🙂

DiamonddusteDiamonddusteBeach Crab1 postJoined Nov 26, '06View profile MessageBeach Crab

Nov 26, '06 · 2:59 PM#57

I own the land across the street from peeks, we were under contract with the 14 acres behind me. Katrina hit and caused the contract to go soft out of fear. Peeks were asking 31M at that time and the whole deal was priced at around 54M. I bet 32M might buy it all now.

When you say across the street... do you mean where Funland was/is located? The mini-golf course/racetrack?

When I was very young, my family stayed at Peek's EVERY summer. I have fond memories of the whole area around it - including Funland, Zooland Golf, etc. I agree though - it does sit on some prime real estate.