News Releases
PANAMA CITY – BAY COUNTY AIRPORT AND INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT
HOLDS GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY
FOR NEW PANAMA CITY – BAY COUNTY AIRPORT
Governor Crist Hails Project as a Model for
Economic Development and Environmental Preservation
PANAMA CITY, Florida (November 1, 2007) – The Panama City – Bay County International Airport and Industrial District (Airport Authority) today held a ceremonial groundbreaking initiating the construction phase its new state-of-the-art international airport.
The airport is being built in the 75,000-acre West Bay Area Sector on 1,300 acres of a 4,000-acre site being donated to the Airport Authority by The St. Joe Company (NYSE: JOE).
With this ceremony, work also soon will began on an unprecedented environmental preservation effort designed to help protect the entire West Bay watershed, an area considered one of Florida’s environmental jewels. Relocation of the airport triggers the creation of the West Bay Preservation Area, a conservation area that will permanently protect approximately 40,000 acres around West Bay, including 33 miles of undeveloped shoreline and an additional 44 miles of creeks and tributaries.
In a prepared statement, Florida Governor Charlie Crist said the new airport is “a national model for economic transformation and environmental preservation.” Crist added: “The State of Florida stands as a proud partner of this project for the new jobs it will create and the environmental jewels it will protect.”
“Though we celebrate today, tomorrow we redouble our efforts to harvest the potential of this project for the people of Northwest Florida,” said Airport Authority Chairman Joe Tannehill. “We will work together to attract better air service and high-quality jobs to our region, and we will continue to work with a range of partners to make this airport as green as it possibly can be.”
“I am very proud of the way our community pulled together to create a shared vision of better air service, stronger economic development and permanent environmental protection for West Bay,” said Tannehill.
“We have planned this property to allow this airport to serve this region and our children for the next fifty years and beyond,” said Tannehill. “At the same time, we have worked with the environmental community, the state of Florida, Bay County and St. Joe to create an unprecedented environmental preservation area that protects West Bay for those future generations.
“Over the past ten years hundreds, if not thousands of people contributed to make this day possible,” said Tannehill. “It would be impossible to recognize them all. But we do thank them. And we pledge to work harder than ever to make this airport a tremendous asset for this community, for the Panhandle, and for the entire state of Florida.”
About the Relocated Panama City – Bay County International Airport
The Panama City – Bay County International Airport and Industrial District (Airport Authority) is nearing completion of a ten-year process to relocate the Panama City – Bay County airport. The relocated airport is expected to be the first new airport built since September 11, 2001.
In late 1980s the Airport Authority began an effort to address significant deficiencies at the existing airport, including non-standard runway safety areas. When local environmentalists and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection objected to extending the existing runway system into Goose Bayou, a particularly environmentally sensitive part of St. Andrews Bay, the Airport Authority began considering relocating the airport.
After working with the FAA to complete a feasibility study in 2000 and a site selection study in 2001, the Airport Authority identified a new site for the airport in northwestern Bay County (West Bay) on land owned by The St. Joe Company (NYSE: JOE).
Following the FAA’s selection of the site, the Airport Authority partnered with the State of Florida, Bay County and The St. Joe Company in an innovative planning process authorized by Florida law known as “optional sector permitting and planning.” The process included dozens of public meetings, data gathering, analysis and visioning for the future. The plan was approved by Bay County and the State of Florida in 2002 and detailed specific area plans were also approved in 2003. Its policies will guide future development and conservation of the West Bay area.
One of the most innovative elements of the plan, in addition to the airport and economic development provisions, is the proposed West Bay Preservation Area. The West Bay Preservation was designed by local and state environmental leaders to preserve the health and habitat of West Bay forever. This watershed scale plan will preserve approximately 40,000 acres and, when fully implemented, include the provision of habitat corridors, open space and stream protection.
Simplified, the objective of the West Bay Preservation Area is to maintain West Bay in its present, pristine state forever. Its vision, especially when compared to the development that has occurred on Florida’s other bay front lands, holds the potential to be one of the most significant conservation measures in Florida history. The plan was won statewide praise including the “2007 Promising Practices Award” from the Council for Sustainable Florida this month.
In 2004 the FAA began preparing a Draft Environmental Impact Statement considering two-dozen alternatives for addressing the deficiencies at the existing airport. In May 2006 the FAA issued its Final Environmental Impact Statement, identifying relocation to the West Bay Site as its Preferred Alternative. In September 2006, the FAA issued its Record of Decision recommending and approving relocation of the Panama City airport to the proposed site in West Bay.
In August 2007, after extensive review, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a Section 404 permit, the final permit necessary to begin construction of the airport.
In September 2007, the Airport Authority approved a contract to sell the current airport site to a subsidiary of Leucadia National Corporation of New York (NYSE: LUK) for $56.5 million in cash and an estimated $38 million in transfer fees from the sale of future properties developed on site. The current airport site is approximately 700 acres adjacent to North Bay in Panama City.
Under the Airport Authority’s current schedule, the new airport is expected to open in the first quarter of 2010.
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Panama City – Bay County International Airport
Receives Development Grants and Pledges Totaling $1,104,500
Airport Receives a $575,000 Federal Development Grant
Community Also Pledges $529,500 in Cash and In-Kind Services
Panama City, Florida (October 23, 2007) – The Panama City – Bay County International Airport today said it now has available $1,104,500 in grants and pledges to support marketing and development efforts for the airport.
The airport has been notified that it has been awarded a $575,000 Small Community Air Service Development Grant from the U.S Department of Transportation (DOT). In addition, the airport has pledges for $529,500 in cash and in-kind services from local community organizations and businesses. Local pledges were an important part of the airport’s successful application for the grant, demonstrating significant local support for marketing and development efforts.
“This grant and the local pledges are great news for the community, and they come at a particularly important time as we begin a strong marketing and development push to not only attract more air service to the current airport, but also to the new airport when it opens,” said Randy Curtis, airport executive director. “We couldn’t have received this grant without the pledges of support from the community. We owe everyone who pledged help a special thank you.”
Funds and services from the grant and pledges will be used to do market research, develop marketing programs, create advertising, reach out to key markets and design incentive packages to convince airlines to expand or inaugurate service to the airport.
“We have a great story to tell about our community and this region with our wonderful lifestyle and tremendous attractions and opportunities, and now we can tell it with power,” Curtis said. “We will work with the airlines currently serving us to improve service and work with other airlines to attract new service to more destinations.”
Panama City – Bay County International Airport is the only Florida airport to receive this type of development grant, and the grant amount is the second largest distributed by the DOT this year.
Construction of a new Panama City – Bay County International Airport is expected to begin soon on a site in northwest Bay County. Completion of the new airport is expected in early 2010. At that time, the current airport will be closed.
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Panama City – Bay County Airport and Industrial District
Approves Contract to Sell Current Airport Site
For $56.5 Million Plus Transfer Fees
Panama City, FL (Oct. 10, 2007) -- The Panama City – Bay County Airport and Industrial District (Airport Authority) today announced it has approved a contract to sell the current airport site to a subsidiary of Leucadia National Corporation of New York (NYSE: LUK) for $56.5 million in cash and significant revenues from transfer fees from the sale of future properties developed on site. The airport is being relocated to a site in northwestern Bay County to be donated to the Airport Authority by The St. Joe Company (NYSE: JOE). The current airport site is approximately 700 acres adjacent to North Bay in Panama City.
“This is the final piece of the puzzle; our financial plan for the new airport is in place,” said Bill Cramer, Airport Authority vice chairman and lead negotiator for the property sale. “We can now move forward aggressively to meet our goals to create a new airport with improved air service, provide an opportunity for economic development and create an environmental jewel for the entire region.”
The purchaser of the airport site is Community Airport Redevelopment, LLC (CAR), which is 90% owned by Leucadia National Corporation. Leucadia developed Rosemary Beach and Draper Lake in Florida, among numerous other properties. The remaining 10% of CAR is owned by WMR Capital Corporation, a Delaware corporation which has developed more than 30 residential, commercial and office real estate projects including Willow Creek Plantation in Okaloosa County, Florida, and Noventa Ocho in Walton County, Florida.
Upon execution of the contract, CAR will place $56.5 million into an escrow account. Transfer fees will provide the Airport Authority with 0.05% of the sales price on most properties on the current site sold by CAR over the next 90 years. These fees were previously estimated to total some $38 million over the first 30 years of the agreement with additional fees collected during the final 60 years.
“This is the right deal for the citizens of Bay County,” said Cramer. “It provides significant cash now and provides the opportunity for the Airport Authority to share substantially in the success of new development on the current airport site. The escrow account will provide security for the Airport Authority to obtain the short-term financing needed to move the new airport construction forward immediately.”
When the new airport is opened, the escrowed cash from the sale agreement will transfer to the Airport Authority and title transfer to the current site to CAR.
In March, the Airport Authority identified PCA Development, LLC, of Pittsburgh, PA, as the probable high bidder for the current airport site, but Cramer said at that time that talks would continue with other bidders in case negotiations with PCA failed to reach a satisfactory conclusion.
“As negotiations continued, questions arose regarding important financing and performance details in the PCA bid,” Cramer said. “CAR came forward with an offer with very strong financial backing. CAR met our requirements for creating an excellent financial package for the sale of the current property.”
An environmental remediation fund has been established for the current airport site. CAR will purchase an insurance policy for the Airport Authority to cover any unknown environmental issues.
Leucadia National Corporation is a diversified holding company involved in real estate development, telecommunications, manufacturing, timber, health care services, mining, insurance, investments and wineries. WMR Capital Corporation is owned by Wayne M. Rogers who also owns an investment strategy firm and serves as chief executive officer and chairman of Stop-n-Save, LLC, which owns and operates convenience stores throughout the Southeast.
“Both Leucadia and WMR have developed world-class properties in Florida and around the United States where they met and exceeded very high environmental and aesthetic standards,” Cramer said. “We believe they will work closely with the community to create a real asset for Panama City and Bay County.”
The Airport Authority will have no direct role in the development of the property. Development of the site will be subject to regulations governing developments of regional impact (DRI’s), which provide regional and state oversight in addition to Panama City and Bay County oversight processes.
The Airport Authority expects to break ground on the new airport this fall and complete the new facility in late 2009 or early 2010.
Facilities for the new airport will be built initially on some 1,300 acres of a 4,000 acre site donated by The St. Joe Company. Plans call for the new facility to have one 8,400-foot runway, a 5,000-foot crosswind runway, seven gates and a 100,000 square-foot terminal building. There is ample room for expansion as the need arises.
The airport project is part of the much larger West Bay Sector Plan which incorporates some 75,000 acres, including areas for commercial, industrial and residential development. Importantly, more than 40,000 acres, or more than 60 square miles, will be permanently preserved as a conservation area. This unprecedented, regional environmental benefit will be available to Florida residents and visitors for hiking, fishing, kayaking, bird watching and other non-invasive activities.
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PANAMA CITY-BAY COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY
ACCEPTS $26 MILLION FROM FAA FOR FIRST
PHASE OF ITS NEW AIRPORT
Awards $112.5 million Site Preparation Contract to Phoenix Construction
Agrees to Purchase $6 million Letter of Credit To Assure Mitigation Work
Panama City, Florida – (September 7, 2007)
FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL LEADERS
VOICE STRONG SUPPORT FOR AIRPORT RELOCATION
Panhandle Business Leaders Join in Support of “Extraordinary Opportunity”
Airport Relocation Project Enters Construction Phase
Panama City, Florida – (August 20, 2007) – The Panama City – Bay County International Airport and Industrial District (Airport Authority) announced today that it had received expressions of strong support for its airport relocation project from federal, state and local officials. The new airport will be located in western Bay County north of County Road 388 and east of State Road 79 on land being donated by The St. Joe Company (NYSE: JOE).
Earlier the Airport Authority announced the project was entering the construction phase after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) issued a Section 404 permit for the project.
“We are very gratified our community’s airport relocation project has received support at the federal, state, regional and local level,” said Airport Authority Chairman Joe Tannehill. “The new regional airport has already started to stimulate economic development, ground transportation improvements and environmental preservation in the region. We continue to achieve the milestones established by previous leaders in our region who unselfishly volunteered to help make these accomplishments a reality. We will complete our task of constructing this regional airport amidst an unparalleled preservation area, both of which will benefit our region long beyond the lives of anyone currently living.”
The Airport Authority released the following expressions of support for the project, made in response to issuance of the final permit.
Governor Charlie Crist:
“The project provides an important opportunity for the region to compete for better and more competitive air service, as well as to attract new businesses and jobs to grow and diversify the local economy.
“The Panama City-Bay County International Airport and Industrial District Project has the potential of becoming a strong economic development platform for Bay County and the Panhandle as long as it continues to be coupled with a real commitment to protecting the natural attributes that make the area so special.”
Former Governor and U.S. Senator Bob Graham:
"The West Bay Sector Plan is the kind of long-term planning combined with environmental protection that we need more of in Florida. It avoids the piecemeal approach, carefully considers the environment and as a result accomplishes a level of conservation and connectivity of our ecosystem that cannot be accomplished with other planning techniques.
“Opportunities like the West Bay Sector plan are rare in Florida - what makes this opportunity even more rare is the ability to protect a substantial portion of a nearly self-contained watershed, a watershed that is almost entirely owned by a single landowner. As Governor this was the type of planning that I had hoped that the Growth Management Act would inspire. Perhaps this will serve as an example to Florida's other large landowners - for Florida's sake I hope so."
U.S. Senator Bill Nelson:
“Construction of the new airport will bring many jobs to Northwest Florida and provide a boost to the local economy. It also should lead to more competition and airline choices for travelers – preventing them from having to drive to Jacksonville or other airports in search of cheaper airfares.”
U.S. Senator Mel Martinez:
“With the issuance of the final permit needed from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the effort to relocate the Panama City – Bay County International Airport enters the construction phase, which is good news for everyone living in or traveling to Northwest Florida.
“The new airport will benefit the entire Panhandle, providing the opportunity to compete for better air service, to attract new businesses and jobs to the region, and it will initiate the creation of the West Bay Preservation Area, a sixty square mile conservation area that will help permanently protect the entire West Bay watershed.
“The project has been thoroughly reviewed for nearly seven years. It’s a great day for the citizens of Bay County with permitting now complete and construction soon to begin. The FAA, along with dozens of local and state reviewing agencies, has worked tirelessly on this project. We will benefit from their hard work for decades to come.
“Airport relocation and the West Bay Sector Plan will prove to be a great example of the benefit of large-scale, long-term planning. Bay County’s local leaders, business community and environmentalists have worked together to realize a vision that will benefit the entire region.”
U.S. Representative Allen Boyd:
"After literally months of study by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the way is now cleared for construction of the airport. Once complete, the airport will significantly strengthen the region's transportation needs and generate new opportunities for economic development in Bay County. Additionally, the creation of the West Bay Preservation Area-a 41,000-acre conservation area-will provide vital protection to the entire West Bay watershed.
"The FAA and dozens of local and state agencies have thoroughly considered this issue and recommended a course of action designed to meet our air service needs for many years to come."
State Senator Don Gaetz:
“Today we are in an overpriced, underserved market for competitive air travel. Our region, with all its promise, is now reduced to a remote stop on a branch line. That isn’t just an inconvenience – it holds down our economy and inhibits our quality of life.
“The new airport will open a skyway between Northwest Florida and the world. We will become a point of origin and a destination for international as well as regional flights. Certainly, our tourism and second home industry will benefit. Even more important, the nation-wide and international reach of the airport will help us compete for new businesses bringing higher paying jobs.
“The implementation of the West Bay Plan, of which the airport relocation is a critical element, will also result in an unprecedented level of environmental protection. The West Bay Plan calls for protecting sixty square miles around the bay, including thirty-three miles of shoreline and forty-four miles of tributaries and creeks.”
State Representative Jimmy Patronis:
“This airport, combined with implementation of the West Bay Sector Plan, is vitally important to the future of Northwest Florida. First and foremost, it offers the opportunity to attract better, more competitive air service.
“Airport relocation also initiates the creation of the West Bay Preservation Area. This 41,000-acre conservation area will provide unprecedented environmental protection to the entire West Bay watershed. In the process, we will be creating and preserving one of the most beautiful outdoor recreation areas in the world. It is truly a unique opportunity.
“The investment that the State of Florida is making in this new facility will be repaid many times over in the decades ahead. The federal government is matching the state’s investment, which means we’re going to get tremendous bang for our buck.
“Not only is this regional airport going to benefit our local travelers, tourists and business travelers, it will also prove to be an invaluable asset to the military bases in Northwest Florida.”
Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Stephanie Kopelousos:
"The Florida Department of Transportation is proud to be a partner with the Federal Aviation Administration and the Airport Authority in bringing this needed transportation improvement to the citizens of Northwest Florida. The new airport will provide tremendous benefits by moving people and goods in this growing region of Florida."
Additionally, several regional business organizations voiced strong support for the airport relocation project, including:
Bay County Chamber of Commerce Chairman Steve Southerland II:
“This is an historic day for Bay County. With the permitting process now complete, we are one step closer to more competitive air service, greater economic development opportunities, and permanent protection for West Bay.
“We look forward to groundbreaking this fall – and more importantly, we look forward to the day the airport opens, making Bay County a better place to live, work and play.”
Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce Chairman David Powell:
“With permitting now complete, we are one giant step closer to having an airport that will not only allow us to compete for additional air service, but will also give us the opportunity to attract new businesses and attractions to our area. This is a tremendous economic development opportunity for the entire region, and we intend to work closely with Bay County officials to use this new airport to help expand and diversify our local economy.
“In addition, the creation of the West Bay Preservation Area, which comes as part of the relocation plan, will provide permanent protection to wetlands and wildlife habitats in the West Bay area.
“We are very pleased the project is moving to the construction phase and we look forward to groundbreaking.”
Bay County Economic Development Alliance Executive Director Ted Clem:
“Our new airport will greatly improve transportation to and from our region and provide a strong boost to our economic development efforts.
“There has been tremendous interest in our new airport, and as we move closer to groundbreaking and a construction timeline, companies will start taking a very close look at Bay County and Northwest Florida.
“Transportation is the lifeblood of so many businesses. Having a greenfield airport puts us in a very strong competitive position to attract new business and new jobs.”
Walton County Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Dawn Moliterno:
"The relocation of the Panama City - Bay County airport is very important to Walton County, and we are pleased the Airport Authority has now completed the permitting phase of the project.
"Air service in our region has been overpriced and we've been underserved for too long. This new airport will give us a competitive boost and put us in a position to win low cost air service for the region. There will be tremendous economic development opportunities too, and we will have to work hard to expand and diversify our local economy.
"We are please to see the project move on to the construction phase."
Beaches of South Walton Executive Director Kriss Titus:
"The new airport-and more competitive air service-will be a real boost for tourism across the entire region.
"Visitors to Beaches of South Walton and the region have been limited in their transportation choices in the past, and we believe the relocation of the airport and added air service will fulfill a critical need, providing travelers direct access to Northwest Florida."
Relocation of the Panama City – Bay County International Airport
The Airport Authority is nearing completion of a ten-year process to relocate the Panama City – Bay County airport. In late 1980s, the Airport Authority began an effort to address significant deficiencies at the existing airport, including non-standard runway safety areas that do not meet FAA safety standards. When local environmentalists and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection objected to extending the existing runway system into Goose Bayou, a particularly environmentally sensitive part of St. Andrews Bay, the Airport Authority began considering relocating the airport.
After working with the FAA to complete a feasibility study in 2000 and a site selection study in 2001, the Airport Authority identified a new site for the airport in northwestern Bay County (West Bay) on land owned by The St. Joe Company.
Following tentative approval of the site by the FAA, the Airport Authority partnered with the State of Florida, Bay County and St. Joe in an innovative planning process authorized by Florida law known as “optional sector planning.” The process included dozens of public meetings, data gathering, analysis and visioning for the future. The plan was approved by Bay County and the State of Florida in 2002 and detailed specific area plans were also approved in 2003. Its policies will guide future development and conservation of the West Bay area.
One of the most innovative elements of the plan, in addition to the airport and economic development provisions, is the proposed West Bay Preservation Area. The West Bay Preservation Area was designed by local and state environmental leaders to preserve the health and habitat of West Bay forever. This watershed scale plan will preserve approximately 41,000 acres and, when fully implemented, will provide for habitat corridors, open space and stream protection.
Simplified, the objective of the West Bay Preservation Area is to maintain West Bay in its present, pristine state forever. Its vision, especially when compared to the development that has occurred on Florida’s other bay front lands, holds the potential to be one of the most significant conservation measures in Florida history. The plan has won statewide praise including the “2007 Promising Practices Award” from the Council for Sustainable Florida.
In 2004, the FAA began preparing a Draft Environmental Impact Statement considering two-dozen alternatives for addressing the deficiencies at the existing airport. In May 2006 the FAA issued its Final Environmental Impact Statement, identifying relocation to the West Bay Site as its Preferred Alternative. In September 2006, the FAA issued its Record of Decision recommending and approving relocation of the Panama City airport to the proposed site in West Bay. There is currently a judicial challenge to the FAA’s ROD; however, the ROD remains in force.
The Airport Authority has secured the necessary federal and state funding for the project. The sale of the existing airport site will complete the major elements of the funding framework for relocation.
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PANAMA CITY – BAY COUNTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
RECEIVES FINAL FEDERAL PERMIT NEEDED
FOR AIRPORT RELOCATION
Airport Relocation Project Enters Construction Phase
Panama City, Florida – (August 16, 2007) – The Panama City – Bay County International Airport and Industrial District (Airport Authority) announced today that its airport relocation project is entering the construction phase now that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued the final necessary federal permit, completing the permitting process. The new airport will be located in western Bay County north of County Road 388 and east of State Road 79 on land being donated by The St. Joe Company (NYSE: JOE).
“With the permitting process now complete, we have entered the construction phase of the project,” said Airport Authority Chairman Joe Tannehill. “We intend to move expeditiously to a groundbreaking.”
“The receipt of this permit marks yet another major milestone in the decade long effort to bring better air service to Bay County and all of Northwest Florida,” said Tannehill. “We have moved a giant step closer to providing this community the opportunity for better air service and more competitive fares; the opportunity to attract new business, industry and jobs to our region; and the opportunity to protect West Bay and preserve tens of thousands of acres for public use and enjoyment.”
Under the terms of the Section 404 permit, The St. Joe Company is providing a conservation easement on 9,609 acres for the mitigation of airport construction impacts. The land, located southeast of the airport site, will become part of the West Bay Preservation Area. This easement will become permanent upon the commencement of construction of the airport. St. Joe is also donating 4,000 acres for the new airport site.
All Major State and Federal Permits for Airport Relocation Now in Hand
“We have now completed both the state and federal permitting process, and we have honored our commitment to protect and enhance West Bay as part of the airport relocation process,” said Tannehill.
Previously, the Airport Authority had received all necessary permits from the state of Florida, selected a project construction manager and secured financial commitments from the state of Florida and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The Airport Authority has received bids for the first phase of airport construction and will select a contractor shortly. In addition, the Airport Authority is working to complete negotiations for the sale of the existing airport.
Rigorous Process Ensured Net Environmental Benefit
In evaluating the Airport Authority’s permit application, the USACE was required to consider 1) what cumulative impacts the project would have on the environment if the permits were approved, and 2) if practicable alternatives that would impact fewer wetlands exist.
In issuing the Section 404 permit, the USACE concurred with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (FDEP) analysis. In its analysis, FDEP cited a number of net ecosystem benefits that will result from the project, including:
The conservation and permanent protection of significant contiguous portions of the West Bay region, including bay shoreline, wetlands, streams, uplands and the overall watershed;
A wetlands function lift significantly in excess of that needed to compensate for functional losses (impacts);
A mitigation plan that significantly exceeds both state and federal requirements for all possible current and future impacts; and
An effort to restore a large contiguous tract of uplands and wetlands to approximate historical conditions more suitable for dependent species native to the area.
Environmental Protection is a Key Benefit of Airport Relocation
“Local environmental groups and the State of Florida opposed expansion of the current airport in the mid-1990s because of the threat it presented to the St. Andrews Bay system,” said Tannehill. “They sought to create a 'win-win' plan for the future by protecting the bay and relocating the airport. Their objective became the Airport Authority’s objective. And by working together, West Bay, one of the most pristine bays in Florida, will have important permanent protections in place to ensure future generations will be able to enjoy it, as we have.”
Dozens of public meetings and many hours of dedicated work by local citizens, local and national environmentalists, the Bay County Commission and the State of Florida produced the West Bay Area Sector Plan, one of the largest land plans of its kind in the United States. During the years of planning, the Florida Audubon, The Nature Conservancy, the Bay Environmental Study Team (BEST), 1000 Friends of Florida and Florida Wildlife Federation and other local environmental leaders and organizations participated in creating a plan and policies for the sector plan that will protect the water quality, habitat and scenic beauty of West Bay forever.
In addition to the sector planning process, the Airport Authority entered into an Ecosystem Management Agreement (EMA) with the FDEP. The EMA includes a comprehensive mitigation plan for the environmental impacts of the relocation and construction the airport.
The EMA was reached using Florida’s innovative Ecosystem Team Permitting approach, a process whereby environmental impacts associated with the airport relocation were avoided or minimized, and a comprehensive mitigation plan was developed through consensus building between the Airport Authority, regulators, and other stakeholders, including local environmental organizations.
The ecological portion of the mitigation plan is also the result of an interagency comprehensive regional planning effort in which the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Florida Department of Community Affairs, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Northwest Florida Water Management District, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, The St. Joe Company and the Airport Authority participated.
Relocation of the Panama City – Bay County International Airport
The Airport Authority is nearing completion of a ten-year process to relocate the Panama City – Bay County airport. In the late 1980s, the Airport Authority began an effort to address significant deficiencies at the existing airport, including non-standard runway safety areas. When local environmentalists and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection objected to extending the existing runway system into Goose Bayou, a particularly environmentally sensitive part of St. Andrews Bay, the Airport Authority began considering relocating the airport.
After completion of a feasibility study in 2000 and a site selection study in 2001, the Airport Authority identified a new site for the airport in northwestern Bay County (West Bay) on land owned by The St. Joe Company.
Following selection of the site, the Airport Authority partnered with the State of Florida, Bay County and St. Joe in an innovative planning process authorized by Florida law known as “optional sector planning.” The process included numerous public meetings, data gathering, analysis and visioning for the future. The plan was approved by Bay County and the State of Florida in 2002 and detailed specific area plans were also approved in 2003.
The sector plan incorporates approximately 78,000 acres and of particular significance is that the boundary of the plan includes an entire bay system (West Bay) thereby allowing unprecedented planning to protect an entire watershed. The purpose of the plan was to ensure that appropriate land uses were placed near the airport and that appropriate environmental protection measures were built into the plan. The plan is conceptual and guides future development and conservation.
One of the most innovative elements of the plan, in addition to the airport and economic development provisions, is the proposed West Bay Preservation Area. The West Bay Preservation Area was designed by local and state environmental leaders to preserve the health and habitat of West Bay forever. This watershed scale plan will preserve approximately 41,000 acres and, when fully implemented, will provide for habitat corridors, open space and stream protection.
Simplified, the objective of the West Bay Preservation Area is to maintain West Bay in its present, pristine state forever. Its vision, especially when compared to the development that has occurred on Florida’s other bay front lands, holds the potential to be one of the most significant conservation measures in Florida history. The plan has won statewide praise including the “2007 Promising Practices Award” from the Council for Sustainable Florida.
In 2004, the FAA began preparing a Draft Environmental Impact Statement considering two-dozen alternatives for addressing the deficiencies at the existing airport. In May 2006 the FAA issued its Final Environmental Impact Statement, identifying relocation to the West Bay Site as its Preferred Alternative. In September 2006, the FAA issued its Record of Decision recommending and approving relocation of the Panama City airport to the proposed site in West Bay. There is currently a judicial challenge to the FAA’s ROD; however, the ROD remains in force.
# # #
Panama City – Bay County International Airport
Finalizes Contract with Kellogg Brown & Root (KBR)
For Project and Construction Management
For Its New Airport
Panama City, FL (July 30, 2007) - The Panama City – Bay County Airport and Industrial District (Airport Authority) announced today that it has finalized its contract with Kellogg Brown & Root, Inc., (KBR) of Houston, TX, to provide program management/construction management for a new, relocated airport on land being donated by The St. Joe Company (NYSE: JOE) in western Bay County.
“KBR will provide day-by-day oversight of all contractors doing site preparation and construction activities at the new airport site,” said Randy Curtis, the airport authority’s executive director. “KBR will work closely with the airport staff to move the work along as quickly as possible while ensuring that all the work meets demanding construction and environmental specifications and standards. KBR also will provide expert counsel in choosing contractors to do the work at the new airport.”
KBR is a leading global engineering, construction and services company. A program and construction team is located in Panama City, FL, and will be supported by KBR’s Management and Engineering unit’s southeast field office in Mobile, AL.
Additional and on-going oversight for the project will be provided by the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) airports division, the Florida Department of Transportation, and all appropriate federal and state environmental regulatory agencies, including (but not limited to) the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Groundbreaking for the new airport is expected in late summer or early fall. Work on the project is expected to last 30 months.
The Airport Authority is nearing completion of a 10-year process to relocate the airport. In the late 1980s, the Airport Authority began an effort to address significant deficiencies at the existing airport, including the shortest primary runway at any commercial airport in Florida and non-standard Runway Safety Areas at the ends of the runway. When local environmentalists and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection objected to extending the existing runway system into Goose Bay adjacent to the current airport, the Airport Authority began considering relocating the airport.
After working with the FAA to complete a feasibility study in 2000 and a site selection study in 2001, the Airport Authority identified a new site in northwestern Bay County on land owned by The St. Joe Company (NYSE: JOE).
In 2004, the FAA began preparing a Draft Environmental Impact Statement considering two dozen alternatives for addressing the deficiencies at the existing airport. In May 2006, the FAA issues its Final Environmental Impact Statement which identified relocation to the new site as the Preferred Alternative. The FAA has recommended, approved and committed funding to the relocation of the airport.
The Airport Authority has secured federal and state funding for the airport project. A contact for the sale of the existing airport site, a major source of local funding, is currently being negotiated. No local taxes will be used for the project. A Section 404 permit from the US Army Corps of Engineers is required before construction can begin.
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AIRPORT AUTHORITY RECEIVES FIVE BIDS
FOR SITE PREPARATION AND PAVING AT NEW AIRPORT
Airport Authority Has Up To 90 Days To Consider The Bids
PANAMA CITY, Florida (June 21, 2007) – The Panama City – Bay County International Airport and Industrial District (Airport Authority) announced today that it had received five bids for site preparation and paving at the relocated Panama City – Bay County International Airport. The bids packages are now available to the public for review.
“We are pleased with the number and quality of bids we have received,” said Airport Authority chairman Joe Tannehill. “Each of these bidders met our stringent pre-qualification requirements. Now it is our job to carefully review the bid packages to determine which one represents the best value for the people of Bay County. The bids are very complex documents based on a number of variables, so it will not be readily apparent which bid is best until we make detailed comparisons. Once we have completed our analysis, we will present our findings to the public.”
The five bidders for the site preparation and paving contract are: A-B Joint Venture, Archer Western Contractors, Odebrecht Construction Inc., Phoenix Construction Services, and C.W. Roberts Contracting, Inc.
The Scope of Work for the site preparation and paving contract includes clearing and grading the airport site, fencing the property, building access and perimeter roads, preparing compacted pads for the terminal and the public safety building and building the airport’s two runways and taxi-ways.
The construction companies were asked to supply a base bid for some of the work, including land clearance, fencing and runway construction. They also supplied material costs for 18 variables. Some of the variables include asphalt versus concrete runways and different lighting along the runways.
After thoroughly reviewing the bid packages, the Airport Authority will pick the bidder as well as the materials to be used in construction. In selecting the bidder and the materials, the Airport Authority will work to deliver the best value for the project.
“While we have not yet reviewed the bids in detail, it appears that site preparation and paving costs will be within our projected budget,” said Tannehill. “That is good news for the new airport. Our financial plan is coming together very nicely, on both the cost and revenue side. In some of our processes we have deliberately taken extra time, which will allow us to move more expeditiously later in the process. We are very much on track.”
“We are going to thoroughly evaluate every aspect of these bids,” said Tannehill. “Our goal remains to ensure that we get the best work for the best price. Each member of the airport board takes their responsibility to community very seriously. We will continue to manage this process in a financially prudent manner.”
Bid submissions are available at the Airport Authority website: www.pcairport.com. Copies of the bids also are available at the Airport Authority offices, 3173 Airport Road, Panama City, Florida.
The Airport Authority anticipates breaking ground on the new airport in the second half of 2007. The construction is expected to take up to thirty months.
About the Relocated Panama City – Bay County International Airport
The Panama City – Bay County International Airport and Industrial District (Airport Authority) is nearing completion of a ten-year process to relocate the Panama City – Bay County airport. The relocated airport is expected to be the first new airport built since September 11, 2001.
In late 1980s the Airport Authority began an effort to address significant deficiencies at the existing airport, including non-standard runway safety areas. When local environmentalists and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection objected to extending the existing runway system into Goose Bayou, a particularly environmentally sensitive part of St. Andrews Bay, the Airport Authority began considering relocating the airport.
After working with the FAA to complete a feasibility study in 2000 and a site selection study in 2001, the Airport Authority identified a new site for the airport in northwestern Bay County (West Bay) on land owned by the St. Joe Company (NYSE: JOE).
Following the FAA’s selection of the site, the Airport Authority partnered with the State of Florida, Bay County and the St. Joe Company in an innovative planning process authorized by Florida law know as “optional sector planning.” The process included dozens of public meetings, data gathering, analysis and visioning for the future. The plan was approved by Bay County and the State of Florida in 2002 and detailed specific area plans were also approved in 2003. Its policies will guide future development and conservation of the West Bay area.
One of the most innovative elements of the plan, in addition to the airport and economic development provisions, is the proposed West Bay Preservation Area. The West Bay Preservation was designed by local and state environmental leaders to preserve the health and habitat of West Bay forever. This watershed scale plan will preserve approximately 41,000 acres and, when fully implemented, include the provision of habitat corridors, open space and stream protection.
Simplified, the objective of the West Bay Preservation Area is to maintain West Bay in its present, pristine state forever. Its vision, especially when compared to the development that has occurred on Florida’s other bay front lands, holds the potential to be one of the most significant conservation measures in Florida history. The plan was won statewide praise including the “2007 Promising Practices Award” from the Council for Sustainable Florida this month.
In 2004 the FAA began preparing a Draft Environmental Impact Statement considering two-dozen alternatives for addressing the deficiencies at the existing airport. In May 2006 the FAA issued its Final Environmental Impact Statement, identifying relocation to the West Bay Site as its Preferred Alternative. In September 2006, the FAA issued its Record of Decision recommending and approving relocation of the Panama City airport to the proposed site in West Bay.
Since January 2007 momentum for relocation has continued to build. The Airport Authority has secured the necessary federal and state funding for the project. The sale of the existing airport site will complete the funding framework for relocation.
The Airport Authority expects to break ground on the project in the second half of 2007 after securing the final permit necessary and a development order from Bay County.
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Presented at Airport Authority Board Meeting
June 19, 2007
SIX MONTH REVIEW
AIRPORT RELOCATION PROJECT
BY
JOE TANNEHILL
CHAIRMAN, PANAMA CITY-BAY COUNTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
AND INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT
JUNE 19, 2007
At this point in our meeting, I’d like to take a moment to try to bring some perspective to where we are in the overall process of relocating our airport. As you all know, there’s been a lot of activity this spring, and we are moving ever closer to groundbreaking.
This airport board, along with our executive director, has been actively managing an extremely complex process – a process that has been proceeding on several parallel tracks.
We’ve been managing the environmental track, which will culminate in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s issuance of the Section 404 permit – the final permit we need before we can break ground. As you all know, this board – and previous boards – have been committed to protecting West Bay as part of the overall effort to relocate the airport. That goal is now very much in reach.
We’ve also been moving forward on a financing track – securing funds from the state and the FAA – and negotiating the land donation agreement with the St. Joe Company. At the same time, we’ve been managing the sale of the existing airport property. We are making excellent progress on the sale of this property, and in the end I think we will have completed a deal that benefits the citizens of Bay County.
We are moving forward on a construction track. Earlier this year we hired KBR and PBS&J as our project/construction manager and our lead design firm, respectively. On Thursday, we will be receiving bids from a number of qualified companies for the site preparation work at the new airport. We feel good about where we are in this process as well.
And we are moving forward on the air service track, meeting with airlines, marketing our community and working very hard to bring more competitive air service to our community. We’re getting a very good reaction in the meetings we are having. It’s up to us to deliver an airport. When we do, I’m confident we’ll be able to earn better service with a state of the art facility and a runway system that works for the airlines.
Until now, each of these tracks has been on its own schedule. But over the next few months we’re going to see them come together, and the pace of progress will accelerate further.
Most of the people in this room are well aware that this community has been grappling with the issue about what to do with this airport for nearly twelve years now. There are others who will say we’ve been grappling with it for sixty years. In fact, the News Herald had a frontpage editorial on the subject in 1946.
But now we are in the homestretch, and we’re about to make history with the first airport built since 9/11.
It’s been a long, detailed process – a process to which hundreds of people have devoted thousands of hours.
I would respectfully submit that through the hard work this community has put in – we’ve actually got it right. We are poised to execute the plan we put in place – a plan that was built on the West Bay Sector Planning process.
We are about to build an airport that will meet all federal safety and design standards, an airport that will serve our community and our region for fifty years and beyond.
We’re about to build an airport that will provide us with an economic development platform virtually unmatched in the state – unmatched in the nation.
We’re about to build an airport that will allow us for the first time to aggressively compete for better air service.
And perhaps most importantly, in the process of building this airport, we have crafted a deal, as detailed in the West Bay Sector Plan, to protect 40,000 acres around West Bay – the entire watershed.
That’s unprecedented.
We have an extraordinary opportunity here, and we will not waste it.
And I personally would like to take this opportunity to thank this Board for its commitment and tireless effort on this project. This is a labor of love by us for our fellow citizens and for our community. I know there are members of this board who spend a full work week on airport issues – in addition to their real jobs. We can only be grateful for the services rendered by this talented group of leaders on either side of me. I am proud to serve with you.
Make no mistake. We are moving forward. This project is going to be a success. We are committed to it. And each member of this board will honor the faith our fellow citizens have placed in us by doing this job right – in accordance with Bay County values and for Bay County’s future and for the future of Northwest Florida.
Thank you.
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AIRPORT AUTHORITY TO RECIEVE BIDS
FOR SITE PREPARATION AT NEW AIRPORT ON JUNE 21
Bids Will Be Immediately Available To The Public
Special Meeting Set To Review Bids For The Purchase Of Current Airport
PANAMA CITY, Florida (June 19, 2007) – The Panama City – Bay County International Airport and Industrial District (Airport Authority) announced today that bids for site preparation of the relocated Panama City – Bay County International Airport will be opened at 2 p.m., June 21, at the airport. The bids will be immediately available for review by the public.
In other business, the Airport Authority also scheduled a special meeting at
10 a.m., July 10, at the Panama City – Bay County Airport to consider bids for the purchase of the current airport site.
Bids for the site preparation work are expected from six pre-qualified firms. The Airport Authority has up to 90 days to consider the bids.
Randy Curtis, airport executive director, cautioned that it will not be possible to determine a low bidder immediately after the bids are opened. Following analysis of the bids, a recommendation will be presented to the Board for final consideration.
“It will take a great deal of analysis and comparison of all the individual components of the bids before we have a meaningful understanding of which bid presents the best value for the project,” Curtis said.
Curtis said there will be a “base” bid for fundamental work such as land clearance and grading, but other components of the bid will include alternative runway materials, runway lighting and others variables. Those choices and the costs for these variables will depend on decisions made by the Airport Authority board as the bid review process moves forward.
Site preparation includes clearing and grading the airport site, fencing the property, building access and perimeter roads, preparing compacted pads for the terminal and the public safety building and building the airport’s two runways and taxi-ways.
“We have gone through a deliberate process to get to this point,” Curtis said. “Our goal has been to ensure that we get the best work for the best price. This is a large and complex project, and it has been important to clearly define the scope of work and specific performance expectations covered by this contract. In the end, I believe the time we have dedicated to this process will allow us to build a world-class airport in a financially prudent manner.”
The Airport Authority anticipates breaking ground on the new airport in the second half of 2007. The construction is expected to take up to thirty months.
About the Relocated Panama City – Bay County International Airport
The Panama City – Bay County International Airport and Industrial District (Airport Authority) is nearing completion of a ten-year process to relocate the Panama City – Bay County airport. The relocated airport is expected to be the first new airport built since September 11, 2001.
In late 1980s the Airport Authority began an e