Panama City Beach – The TDC is teaming up with beach vacation rental companies for a promotion during August 2010. We are participating so you can save money on your Celadon Beach Resort beach vacation see our web site Reserve The Best Panama City Beach Condos for Your Beach Vacation
You win because we are participating with the Panama City Beach Tourist Development Council Real Fun Rewards Program for stays booked on or after July 26th and completed by August 31, 2010. You are eligible to receive up to a $200 American Express Gift Card for a 5-day stay. The number of gift cards is limited so you need to act quickly.
Any stays after August 31, 2010 will not qualify for gift card. You must stay at a participating accommodation to redeem gift card. American Express gift card accepted at all retailers where American Express is accepted don’t leave home without it! One gift card per reservation.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Panama City Beach – Northwest Florida Beaches International (ECP) Grand Opening / Open House Schedule of Events May 22, 2010
Panama City Beach / West Bay – On Saturday May 22, 2010 come and enjoy a great day of celebration! It’s the GRAND OPENING! The Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is hosting an Open House.
Tour the new terminal. See the West Bay Site. There will be shuttles from the parking area to the terminal. Meet the sponsors while visiting their booths which will be located outside and inside the terminal. Some of the artists who donated artwork will be available to discuss their work. Bring your umbrella for shade while enjoying the outdoor concerts and ribbon cutting ceremony. There will also be indoor concerts. There will be LIMITED seating. Bring chairs.
There will be food and beverage vendors on site as well as a first aid area. There will be balloon artists and face painting for the children. If weather permits, you will witness the first aircraft landing at ECP. Buy your t-shirt, too!
Schedule of Events*
Saturday, May 22
6:00 a.m. Gate Security--Law Enforcement Positioned.
9:00 a.m. Gates Open to General Public
9:00 -9:45 a.m. Merritt Brown Middle Band Terminal Front
45 Seated
9:00 a.m.-4 p.m. Flipside Terminal In & Out
Fun for children.
9:45 -10:55 a.m. LoCash Cowboys Stage 2
10:55 -11:15 a.m. Arnold High Jazz Band Apron
25 Seated
11:30 a.m. Grand Opening Program Stage1
Local, regional, state and federal dignitaries in attendance to mark
this memorable occasion including Senator Bill Nelson and Governor
Charlie Crist.
11:45 a.m. Tyndall Flyover
12:20 p.m. Ribbon Cutting
12:30-1:45 p.m. Eric Heatherly (Set 1) Stage 2
1:55 p.m. First Flight ETA
1:55-2:20 p.m. Bay High Band (Set 1) Terminal Side
2:15-3:20 p.m. Stainless Steel Terminal Gate Area
2:30 p.m. Second Flight ETA
2:30-2:50 p.m. Bay High Band (Set 2) Terminal Side
3:00-3:55 p.m. Eric Heatherly (Set 2) Stage 2
4:00 p.m. Gates will be closing within the hour.
* Times and activities may change due to weather and/or conditions
ECP is only 11.5 miles from our Panama City Beach Condos for tent at Celadon Beach Resort Reserve The Best Panama City Beach Condos for Your Beach Vacation
We will have pictures on the web site from the first flight leaving Nashville on May 23, 2010. Our first drawing for Southwest Airlines gift cards to be given to our guests at Celadon Beach Resort will also be held May 23. Book your reservation now to be eligible!
The address of ECP follows:
Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP)
6300 West Bay Parkway
Panama City Beach, FL 32409
Directions to ECP Follow:
Panama City Beach – The new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is located on State Highway 388 roughly equidistance between State Road 79 and State Road 77 to the east.
From Panama City, take State Road 77 north through Lynn Haven and Southport. Turn left onto State Highway 388. Proceed for approximately 8 miles. Airport entrance is on the right.
From Panama City Beach, take State Road 79 north toward West Bay. Turn right onto State Highway 388. Proceed for approximately 4 miles. Airport entrance is on the left.
Driving west on I-10 from Tallahassee, take State Road 77 south to State Highway 388. Turn right and proceed approximately 8 miles. Airport entrance is on the right.
Driving east on I-10 from Pensacola, take State Road 79 south to State Highway 388. Turn left and proceed approximately 4 miles. Airport entrance is on the left.
From the best condos for rent in Panama City Beach, FL http://www.bestpanamacitybeachcondo.com driving east on Front Beach Road take State Road 79 north toward West Bay. Turn right onto State Highway 388. Proceed for approximately 4 miles. Airport entrance is on the left. Wow the new airport is only a little over 11 miles from your condo on the beach.
Click here to get driving directions to ECP http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=&daddr=982+State+Highway+388,+Panama+City+Beach,+FL+32413&hl=en&geocode=&mra=ls&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=29.634084,56.337891&ie=UTF8&ll=30.326553,-85.781967&spn=0.503779,0.88028
Tour the new terminal. See the West Bay Site. There will be shuttles from the parking area to the terminal. Meet the sponsors while visiting their booths which will be located outside and inside the terminal. Some of the artists who donated artwork will be available to discuss their work. Bring your umbrella for shade while enjoying the outdoor concerts and ribbon cutting ceremony. There will also be indoor concerts. There will be LIMITED seating. Bring chairs.
There will be food and beverage vendors on site as well as a first aid area. There will be balloon artists and face painting for the children. If weather permits, you will witness the first aircraft landing at ECP. Buy your t-shirt, too!
Schedule of Events*
Saturday, May 22
6:00 a.m. Gate Security--Law Enforcement Positioned.
9:00 a.m. Gates Open to General Public
9:00 -9:45 a.m. Merritt Brown Middle Band Terminal Front
45 Seated
9:00 a.m.-4 p.m. Flipside Terminal In & Out
Fun for children.
9:45 -10:55 a.m. LoCash Cowboys Stage 2
10:55 -11:15 a.m. Arnold High Jazz Band Apron
25 Seated
11:30 a.m. Grand Opening Program Stage1
Local, regional, state and federal dignitaries in attendance to mark
this memorable occasion including Senator Bill Nelson and Governor
Charlie Crist.
11:45 a.m. Tyndall Flyover
12:20 p.m. Ribbon Cutting
12:30-1:45 p.m. Eric Heatherly (Set 1) Stage 2
1:55 p.m. First Flight ETA
1:55-2:20 p.m. Bay High Band (Set 1) Terminal Side
2:15-3:20 p.m. Stainless Steel Terminal Gate Area
2:30 p.m. Second Flight ETA
2:30-2:50 p.m. Bay High Band (Set 2) Terminal Side
3:00-3:55 p.m. Eric Heatherly (Set 2) Stage 2
4:00 p.m. Gates will be closing within the hour.
* Times and activities may change due to weather and/or conditions
ECP is only 11.5 miles from our Panama City Beach Condos for tent at Celadon Beach Resort Reserve The Best Panama City Beach Condos for Your Beach Vacation
We will have pictures on the web site from the first flight leaving Nashville on May 23, 2010. Our first drawing for Southwest Airlines gift cards to be given to our guests at Celadon Beach Resort will also be held May 23. Book your reservation now to be eligible!
The address of ECP follows:
Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP)
6300 West Bay Parkway
Panama City Beach, FL 32409
Directions to ECP Follow:
Panama City Beach – The new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is located on State Highway 388 roughly equidistance between State Road 79 and State Road 77 to the east.
From Panama City, take State Road 77 north through Lynn Haven and Southport. Turn left onto State Highway 388. Proceed for approximately 8 miles. Airport entrance is on the right.
From Panama City Beach, take State Road 79 north toward West Bay. Turn right onto State Highway 388. Proceed for approximately 4 miles. Airport entrance is on the left.
Driving west on I-10 from Tallahassee, take State Road 77 south to State Highway 388. Turn right and proceed approximately 8 miles. Airport entrance is on the right.
Driving east on I-10 from Pensacola, take State Road 79 south to State Highway 388. Turn left and proceed approximately 4 miles. Airport entrance is on the left.
From the best condos for rent in Panama City Beach, FL http://www.bestpanamacitybeachcondo.com driving east on Front Beach Road take State Road 79 north toward West Bay. Turn right onto State Highway 388. Proceed for approximately 4 miles. Airport entrance is on the left. Wow the new airport is only a little over 11 miles from your condo on the beach.
Click here to get driving directions to ECP http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=&daddr=982+State+Highway+388,+Panama+City+Beach,+FL+32413&hl=en&geocode=&mra=ls&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=29.634084,56.337891&ie=UTF8&ll=30.326553,-85.781967&spn=0.503779,0.88028
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Panama City Beach – Press Release for Northwest Florida International Airport (ECP). May 23, 2010 opening on Schedule!
The new airport is only 11.5 miles from our Panama City Beach Florida condos for rent Reserve The Best Panama City Beach Condos for Your Beach Vacation . Our Vacation rental condos are at Celadon Beach Resort.
Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport
Wins Final FAA Approval
May 23rd Grand Opening Right on Schedule
Panama City, Florida – (May 11, 2010) – The Panama City Bay County Airport and Industrial District (Airport Authority) today announced that Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport has received its Part 139 Airport Operating Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration. The new airport is scheduled to begin service Sunday, May 23.
“This is a significant milestone in the development of Northwest Florida’s newest airport,” said Airport Authority Chairman Joe Tannehill. “We want to thank our partners at the FAA in helping us to ensure that the new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport meets all federal aviation safety requirements. This is indeed great news.”
As part of the certification process, FAA inspectors tested the new airport’s 10,000-foot runway, instrument landing equipment, navigational system, runway lighting and air traffic control tower. FAA air traffic controllers are now training in the control tower in preparation of the May 23rd opening.
Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is still awaiting final approval from the Transportation Security Administration and a Certificate of Occupancy from Bay County for the 125,000-square-foot passenger terminal.
In other action today, the Airport Authority agreed to lease space at the new airport to Thrifty Car Rental. That brings to six the number of car rental companies that will be operating in the new airport. The others are: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz and National.
The $318-million Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is the first commercial-service international airport built in the U.S. in the past 15 years. The new airport and its 10,000-foot runway are built on approximately 1,300 acres of a 4,000-acre site. The 125,000-square-foot passenger terminal features seven gates, two restaurants, two retail shops and six car rental ticketing counters.
Southwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines will offer daily nonstop service to Atlanta, Memphis, Orlando, Cincinnati, Houston, Baltimore and Nashville.
Airport Contact:
Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport
Randy Curtis, Executive Director, 850-763-6751 ext. 203
Panama City Beach Condo Rental Contact:
Pam 615-496-4369
Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport
Wins Final FAA Approval
May 23rd Grand Opening Right on Schedule
Panama City, Florida – (May 11, 2010) – The Panama City Bay County Airport and Industrial District (Airport Authority) today announced that Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport has received its Part 139 Airport Operating Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration. The new airport is scheduled to begin service Sunday, May 23.
“This is a significant milestone in the development of Northwest Florida’s newest airport,” said Airport Authority Chairman Joe Tannehill. “We want to thank our partners at the FAA in helping us to ensure that the new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport meets all federal aviation safety requirements. This is indeed great news.”
As part of the certification process, FAA inspectors tested the new airport’s 10,000-foot runway, instrument landing equipment, navigational system, runway lighting and air traffic control tower. FAA air traffic controllers are now training in the control tower in preparation of the May 23rd opening.
Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is still awaiting final approval from the Transportation Security Administration and a Certificate of Occupancy from Bay County for the 125,000-square-foot passenger terminal.
In other action today, the Airport Authority agreed to lease space at the new airport to Thrifty Car Rental. That brings to six the number of car rental companies that will be operating in the new airport. The others are: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz and National.
The $318-million Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is the first commercial-service international airport built in the U.S. in the past 15 years. The new airport and its 10,000-foot runway are built on approximately 1,300 acres of a 4,000-acre site. The 125,000-square-foot passenger terminal features seven gates, two restaurants, two retail shops and six car rental ticketing counters.
Southwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines will offer daily nonstop service to Atlanta, Memphis, Orlando, Cincinnati, Houston, Baltimore and Nashville.
Airport Contact:
Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport
Randy Curtis, Executive Director, 850-763-6751 ext. 203
Panama City Beach Condo Rental Contact:
Pam 615-496-4369
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Panama City Beach - Mine Sweeping Squadron & Largest Helicopters In Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach – If you are staying at our Panama City Beach Vacation Rentals
at Celadon Beach Resort keep a lookout for these choppers… Reserve The Best Panama City Beach Condos for Your Beach Vacation
The Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division is hosting three of the largest helicopters in the western hemisphere. The HM 14 mine sweeping squadron out of Norfolk, Virginia, flew in a few weeks ago for training missions over the gulf.
They are the largest helicopters on this side of the world. Three giant MH-53E Seadragon helicopters are right at home at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division. "We have multiple missions flying from day into night," said Lt. Matthew Reeves.
The HM 14 Squadron is here to conduct mine sweeping training missions. The MH-53E Seadragon has a hunting device that uses sonar to find mines underwater. "We have dummy mines out in the water that have been placed there just so we can do these exercises, so we can evaluate the new gear," said Reeves. Once the chopper detects a mine, sweeping equipment will cut the mine's wires so it can be neutralized.
"We are supposed to be deployable anywhere in the world within 72 hours. So this gives us a chance to practice that, packing everyone up, bringing it down here and operating from not our home base. We would not be able to conduct our missions without the expertise that is located here in Panama City," said Lt. Cmdr. Dale Johnson, the Officer in Charge of the HM 14 Squadron.
These techniques were most recently used during the Iraq War. Of all the bases in the world, this one is the absolute best for this type of training. "The exercise is set up here in Panama City, Florida, because of the clarity of the water. We are able to conduct an exercise here with the 53's that they can't necessarily do anywhere else in the world," said Reeves.
It's not just the water that's a draw. "This is probably the foremost mine exploration region in the world here in Panama City. So all the equipment that we actually tow in our helicopter, the mission specific equipment is actually here. Some of it was actually manufactured here and some of it is actually serviced here. We have all the military and civilian experts here that can help us conduct our training most effectively," said Johnson.
The US Navy is the only organization in the world conducting airborne mine countermeasure missions.
This article was reported by Meredith TerHarr. Thanks Meredith!
at Celadon Beach Resort keep a lookout for these choppers… Reserve The Best Panama City Beach Condos for Your Beach Vacation
The Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division is hosting three of the largest helicopters in the western hemisphere. The HM 14 mine sweeping squadron out of Norfolk, Virginia, flew in a few weeks ago for training missions over the gulf.
They are the largest helicopters on this side of the world. Three giant MH-53E Seadragon helicopters are right at home at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division. "We have multiple missions flying from day into night," said Lt. Matthew Reeves.
The HM 14 Squadron is here to conduct mine sweeping training missions. The MH-53E Seadragon has a hunting device that uses sonar to find mines underwater. "We have dummy mines out in the water that have been placed there just so we can do these exercises, so we can evaluate the new gear," said Reeves. Once the chopper detects a mine, sweeping equipment will cut the mine's wires so it can be neutralized.
"We are supposed to be deployable anywhere in the world within 72 hours. So this gives us a chance to practice that, packing everyone up, bringing it down here and operating from not our home base. We would not be able to conduct our missions without the expertise that is located here in Panama City," said Lt. Cmdr. Dale Johnson, the Officer in Charge of the HM 14 Squadron.
These techniques were most recently used during the Iraq War. Of all the bases in the world, this one is the absolute best for this type of training. "The exercise is set up here in Panama City, Florida, because of the clarity of the water. We are able to conduct an exercise here with the 53's that they can't necessarily do anywhere else in the world," said Reeves.
It's not just the water that's a draw. "This is probably the foremost mine exploration region in the world here in Panama City. So all the equipment that we actually tow in our helicopter, the mission specific equipment is actually here. Some of it was actually manufactured here and some of it is actually serviced here. We have all the military and civilian experts here that can help us conduct our training most effectively," said Johnson.
The US Navy is the only organization in the world conducting airborne mine countermeasure missions.
This article was reported by Meredith TerHarr. Thanks Meredith!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Panama City Beach – Southwest Airlines Debut of Florida One
Panama City Beach — Southwest Airlines unveiled Florida One in Tampa on Friday, its newest themed aircraft that is emblazoned with the state flag of Florida. The video link is at the bottom of the article. Thanks to the News Herald for the article!
“We are very excited about our newest aircraft,” Southwest spokeswoman Brandi King said. “We have been planning to honor Florida for some time.”
The new Boeing 737 will join the airline’s regular rotation schedule throughout the country at the 68 — soon to be 69 — cities Southwest serves, King said.
Panama City Beach will become the 69th city when Southwest makes its first flight into the new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, scheduled for its grand opening May 23.
The low-cost carrier already serves six cities in Florida, including Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Fort Myers and Jacksonville.
“Florida is proud to have such a strong Southwest Airlines presence in Florida,” Gov. Charlie Crist said in a news release. “Not only is Southwest employing thousands of talented Floridians, but is also making Florida more easily accessible and affordable for visitors.”
According to material provided by Southwest, the painting of Florida One required 32 people working three shifts over eight days. More than 46 gallons of paint and 16 different colors were used.
The Florida plane joins 13 other themed aircraft in Southwest’s fleet, including California One, Lone Star One (Texas) and three Shamu aircraft (SeaWorld).
The new airport is less than 12 miles from our condos for rent in Panama City Beach at Celadon Beach Resort Reserve The Best Panama City Beach Condos for Your Beach Vacation
Here is the link to the Southwest video… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKnsyYbfC60&feature=player_embedded
“We are very excited about our newest aircraft,” Southwest spokeswoman Brandi King said. “We have been planning to honor Florida for some time.”
The new Boeing 737 will join the airline’s regular rotation schedule throughout the country at the 68 — soon to be 69 — cities Southwest serves, King said.
Panama City Beach will become the 69th city when Southwest makes its first flight into the new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, scheduled for its grand opening May 23.
The low-cost carrier already serves six cities in Florida, including Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Fort Myers and Jacksonville.
“Florida is proud to have such a strong Southwest Airlines presence in Florida,” Gov. Charlie Crist said in a news release. “Not only is Southwest employing thousands of talented Floridians, but is also making Florida more easily accessible and affordable for visitors.”
According to material provided by Southwest, the painting of Florida One required 32 people working three shifts over eight days. More than 46 gallons of paint and 16 different colors were used.
The Florida plane joins 13 other themed aircraft in Southwest’s fleet, including California One, Lone Star One (Texas) and three Shamu aircraft (SeaWorld).
The new airport is less than 12 miles from our condos for rent in Panama City Beach at Celadon Beach Resort Reserve The Best Panama City Beach Condos for Your Beach Vacation
Here is the link to the Southwest video… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKnsyYbfC60&feature=player_embedded
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Panama City Beach - Northwest Florida Beaches International (ECP) is on schedule for May 23, 2010 opening. Fly SWA and save $150 on a 6 night stay!
Panama City Beach - ECP is only 11.5 miles from our condos for rent in Panama City Beach, FL Reserve The Best Panama City Beach Condos for Your Beach Vacation at Celadon Beach Resort. Both condos are available on May 23 for 6 nights.
To save $150 all you need is a copy of your May 23, 2010 opening day Southwest Airlines itinerary to ECP. Call and book your reservation today… 615-496-4369.
To save $150 all you need is a copy of your May 23, 2010 opening day Southwest Airlines itinerary to ECP. Call and book your reservation today… 615-496-4369.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Panama City Beach - Tannehill renews pitch for crosswind runway at new airport
PANAMA CITY BEACH — Airport Authority board Chairman Joe Tannehill is usually unflappable, presiding calmly at board meetings that can sometimes grow contentious over issues such as budgets, industrial development or sod. On Tuesday, he took the unusual step of moving out from behind the board member’s dais to renew his strong support for building a crosswind runway at the new airport under construction near West Bay.
“We need to do everything we have committed and promised,” he said from the audience podium, noting that the board will go through changes in the coming months. Both his term and the term of Vice Chairman Bill Cramer expire in June.
The new airport is less than 12 miles from oru Panama City Beach Condos Reserve The Best Panama City Beach Condos for Your Beach Vacation
Over the last year, financial plans for the 5,000-foot crosswind runway have faltered as board members struggled with issues such as extending the main concrete runway to 10,000 feet, hiring a company to market the airport to industry and funding more than $3 million in expensive sod to halt storm water erosion problems.
Board Vice Chairman Bill Cramer, for instance, argued successfully last May that hiring “master developer” Jones Lang Lesalle to manage the industrial and commercial development of hundreds of acres surrounding the airport’s main runway should have a higher priority than the crosswind runway.
Cramer also has argued that other uncertainties, such as the fight with Phoenix Construction over the need for sod, has placed the funding for a crosswind runway in doubt.
Admitting he was taking the board by surprise, Tannehill said he would ask other members in two weeks to advertise for bids on the secondary runway, expected to cost about $18 million.
“If we can construct the crosswind runway without going out for more debt, we should do it,” Tannehill read from a prepared statement. “We have committed the crosswind runway to our GA (general aviation) friends, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and the FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation).”
Tannehill made a case that the airport had a total of $321 million to spend for the construction of the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, including two loans totaling $40 million from Florida’s State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) loans program, $15 million of which was untapped so far. He said the airport has been “running a budget of $306 million, of which we presently have $3.6 million left in contingency and free cash.” The airport also intends to recoup $3.2 million in sod payments from either contractors or project engineers in future legal battles.
“Our legal teams have concluded that these funds are not the responsibility of the Airport Authority,” Tannehill said. Following the meeting, Cramer said he still had doubts about the timing for issuing bids. “If we can do so responsibly, I’m all for it, if we can afford it,” he said. But he insisted that uncertainties still existed over other needs, such as $1.25 million for an international concourse, or hall.
“We also have an uncertainty over how much more sod we will need,” Cramer said, noting that he did not wish to encumber future board members with current problems. “The bottom line is: Can we afford it?”
In other business, board members approved several additions to a tentative policy on commercial ground transportation, including penalties for rule infractions, such as a one-week permit suspension for reckless driving, and a non-smoking rule. The board also agreed to review several provisions, such as banning outside advertisements on vehicles and requiring that all vehicles within a company be the same color.
Board members also approved a proposal by the Bay County Chamber of Commerce to erect a 7-by-4-foot granite monument, or “Wall of Honor,” complete with benches and flags, near the airport’s entrance that would recognize the major sponsors of the airport’s three-day quarter-million dollar grand-opening ceremony, set for the weekend of May 23. Board members modestly declined to have their names chiseled into the structure.
“We need to do everything we have committed and promised,” he said from the audience podium, noting that the board will go through changes in the coming months. Both his term and the term of Vice Chairman Bill Cramer expire in June.
The new airport is less than 12 miles from oru Panama City Beach Condos Reserve The Best Panama City Beach Condos for Your Beach Vacation
Over the last year, financial plans for the 5,000-foot crosswind runway have faltered as board members struggled with issues such as extending the main concrete runway to 10,000 feet, hiring a company to market the airport to industry and funding more than $3 million in expensive sod to halt storm water erosion problems.
Board Vice Chairman Bill Cramer, for instance, argued successfully last May that hiring “master developer” Jones Lang Lesalle to manage the industrial and commercial development of hundreds of acres surrounding the airport’s main runway should have a higher priority than the crosswind runway.
Cramer also has argued that other uncertainties, such as the fight with Phoenix Construction over the need for sod, has placed the funding for a crosswind runway in doubt.
Admitting he was taking the board by surprise, Tannehill said he would ask other members in two weeks to advertise for bids on the secondary runway, expected to cost about $18 million.
“If we can construct the crosswind runway without going out for more debt, we should do it,” Tannehill read from a prepared statement. “We have committed the crosswind runway to our GA (general aviation) friends, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and the FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation).”
Tannehill made a case that the airport had a total of $321 million to spend for the construction of the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, including two loans totaling $40 million from Florida’s State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) loans program, $15 million of which was untapped so far. He said the airport has been “running a budget of $306 million, of which we presently have $3.6 million left in contingency and free cash.” The airport also intends to recoup $3.2 million in sod payments from either contractors or project engineers in future legal battles.
“Our legal teams have concluded that these funds are not the responsibility of the Airport Authority,” Tannehill said. Following the meeting, Cramer said he still had doubts about the timing for issuing bids. “If we can do so responsibly, I’m all for it, if we can afford it,” he said. But he insisted that uncertainties still existed over other needs, such as $1.25 million for an international concourse, or hall.
“We also have an uncertainty over how much more sod we will need,” Cramer said, noting that he did not wish to encumber future board members with current problems. “The bottom line is: Can we afford it?”
In other business, board members approved several additions to a tentative policy on commercial ground transportation, including penalties for rule infractions, such as a one-week permit suspension for reckless driving, and a non-smoking rule. The board also agreed to review several provisions, such as banning outside advertisements on vehicles and requiring that all vehicles within a company be the same color.
Board members also approved a proposal by the Bay County Chamber of Commerce to erect a 7-by-4-foot granite monument, or “Wall of Honor,” complete with benches and flags, near the airport’s entrance that would recognize the major sponsors of the airport’s three-day quarter-million dollar grand-opening ceremony, set for the weekend of May 23. Board members modestly declined to have their names chiseled into the structure.
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