Updates about Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (NWFBIA) - Page 2

singinchicken · 02-21-2009, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sowalgayboi

I believe the runway is 15" thick. Just curious how thick the runways are at Hartsfield?

I can't say for sure, but I remember when they built the new international ramp. The concrete they poured for the ramp / taxiway areas was about 2-1/2 feet thick reinforced with rebar. A couple years ago they redid runway 26L - 8R. The slabs they were hauling off in the dumptrucks were close to three feet thick...

DuneLaker · 02-24-2009, 04:03 PM

Airport Wars is fully engaged. Huge front page story today in Northwest Daily News. Haven't seen Panama City daily paper yet. Looks like THE Happy Days are over for Coastal Vision 3000, which is pretty heavily stacked with Okaloosa County folks.

goodwitch58 · 02-24-2009, 05:13 PM

well, it seems that things did get out of hand, if in fact, these folks were lobbying for the closure of the Okaloosa airport...and do we believe our esteemed members of Congress would make up the story?

I think we would be better off with a high speed train hub...instead of another airport...and no one really needs The Beach for anything

Rant off for now...

DuneLaker · 02-24-2009, 09:06 PM

It may or may not be worth noting, but the esteemed member of Congress for the Okaloosa airport is a Republican (CD1), and the esteemed member of Congress for the Panama City airport is a Democrat (CD2). There may be a little blurring and mixing of the lines. Just fyi.

SHELLY · 02-24-2009, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AAbsolute

You got my attention. R U Kidding about the DC trip?

Airport flap: More than rumors, local officials say | county, airport, florida - News - Northwest Florida Daily News

Curry and members of the County Commission were in Washington, D.C., to meet with Northwest Florida's federal lawmakers about the economic stimulus program. While meeting separately with U.S. Reps. Allen Boyd and Jeff Miller, the Okaloosa County officials were told of a group of individuals seeking support for closing Northwest Florida Regional Airport based on legal grounds with the Air Force.

"We're not talking about rumors here," Curry said. "We're talking about a physical presence in Washington, there for the detriment of our airport."

The congressmen told the Okaloosa County officials the four people petitioning for Northwest Florida Regional Airport's closure were Harrison; Brian Yablonski, the vice president of public affairs for St. Joe Co.; Lisa Walters, a Panama City attorney and chair of the Bay County Economic Development Alliance; and Jerry Ray, senior vice president of St. Joe and a member of the board of directors of Coastal Vision 3000.

beachmouse · 02-24-2009, 11:02 PM

Boyd's congressional district also covers a part of Okaloosa County. The Republicans gerrymandered it as such last time around in hopes of making it more possible to win the seat.

AAbsolute · 02-25-2009, 05:23 AM

Sounds like a small group of people with a plan are trying to close down a competitor using any means possible. Do you believe me now?

DuneLaker · 02-25-2009, 06:37 AM

Lines have been gerrymandered since the first maps of the world were drawn. I did say the lines were blurred and mixed. You are correct that D2 picks up SoWal, goes across the Mid-Bay Bridge and picks up around Blue Water Bay. How one congressman might support one airport more than another is also complicated. Probably need to get out a map.

beachmouse · 02-25-2009, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuneLaker

Lines have been gerrymandered since the first maps of the world were drawn. I did say the lines were blurred and mixed. You are correct that D2 picks up SoWal, goes across the Mid-Bay Bridge and picks up around Blue Water Bay. How one congressman might support one airport more than another is also complicated. Probably need to get out a map.

For whatever reason, we got designated as gerrymandering central last time around. In addition to getting shoved over to 2 for federal elections, there are a couple of state districts where if you live on one side of the street, you're in X, and if you're on the other side, you vote in Y, unless you're on the cul-de-sac of the same name, in which case you're back in X again. Pat Hollarn had to publish like street level maps for a couple neighborhoods to explain it all.

DuneLaker · 02-26-2009, 07:32 AM

If you've never picked up a copy of the Northwest Florida Daily News, you might want to today. Several top stories on the front page and continued to A7 mention names and events that are making top news now, including the continuing saga of the Airport Wars. Key words -- Northwest Florida Regional Airport, Panama City-Bay County International Airport, suit, Richburg, Odom, Bense, U.S. 331, bridge, LLCs, Bay, Walton and Okaloosa Commissioners, Tallahassee, Coastal 3000. You can read these top stories online. Good beginning read for the day.

SWGB · 02-26-2009, 08:16 PM

This is just one giant powder keg waiting to blow. Luckily Destin, Ft. Walton Beach, and Panama City Beach have loads of empty parking garages for deep throat to spill his guts to journalists.

singinchicken · 03-03-2009, 04:15 PM

Panama City - Bay County Airport ranked number 18 on the Forbes list of America's rip off airports based on the average cost a ticket costs per mile.

Granted, the airport does not create the ranking. The airlines do. VPS is not on the list. Why? Because that airport is served by more airlines serving more cities, thus, creating competition. PFN is only served by 2 carriers that I know of. The only way to get that average down is to get competition in. The only way to get the competition in is to have a greater demand for service to that airport. Somebody needs to sell all those condos!

No. 18: Panama City-Bay City International Airport
Location: Panama City, Fla.
Average fare per mile: $0.35

Department of Transportation's Origin and Destination Survey

kurt · 03-03-2009, 04:36 PM

Construction Update
February 26, 2009
Contract 1: Heavy Civil and Airfield Lighting
Approximately 80% of the contract work is complete with only 54% of the contract time used.

90% of the 15” concrete paving lanes have been placed on 8,400 linear feet of Runway 16-34.
On Taxiway D and main terminal apron, all lime rock base and the first lift of asphalt paving is in place with the 2nd of four lifts going down this week.
The centerline cans on the runway are approximately 36% complete.
The lighting cans in the Touch-down zone are approximately 55% complete.
Paving will begin this week on the General Aviation Access road.
150 pieces of heavy equipment are in operation at any one time with approximately 200 personnel on site for the heavy civil and utilities contracts.

Contract 2: Terminal Building, ATCT and Support Buildings
Approximately 18% of contract work is complete with 22.6% of contract time utilized.
Terminal:
Concrete pouring complete for Level 2 Area A. Shoring of Level 2 Areas B and C continues
Air Traffic Control Tower:
Cutting of auger cast piles to design length is complete. Forming for the pile cap has started.
Air Maintenance Facility:
Forming for pit walls continues.
Air Cargo Facility:
Continuing the installation of the pre-engineered metal building.
Public Safety Building:
Rough-in of the plumbing continues.
Rental Car Facility:
Installation of underground facilities continues.
Manpower:
The average man power on site for Contract 2 per day is 95 people based on a five day work week.
Contract 3: Utility Contract
Approximately 8% of contract work is complete with 11% of contract time utilized.
Main Access Road:
3W2” Power Distribution Duct Bank is 36% complete.
Street light duct work is 50% complete.
Joyner Road:
24” directional bore is complete.
24” water main is 36% complete.
GA Access Road:
30” water main is 9% complete.
Lift Station:
Wet Well is installed.

BeachSiO2 · 03-03-2009, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by singinchicken

Panama City - Bay County Airport ranked number 18 on the Forbes list of America's rip off airports based on the average cost a ticket costs per mile.

Granted, the airport does not create the ranking. The airlines do. VPS is not on the list. Why? Because that airport is served by more airlines serving more cities, thus, creating competition. PFN is only served by 2 carriers that I know of. The only way to get that average down is to get competition in. The only way to get the competition in is to have a greater demand for service to that airport. Somebody needs to sell all those condos!

No. 18: Panama City-Bay City International Airport
Location: Panama City, Fla.
Average fare per mile: $0.35

Department of Transportation's Origin and Destination Survey

This is interesting. So how much do you think it would be worth to reduce those flight costs by having a low cost airline fly into the new airport with new cities and new direct connections. It looks like Panama City believes it's worth a couple of million a year in marketing dollars. The question is whether or not that and other programs will be enticing enough to make it happen. All eyes are watching for sure!

kurt · 03-05-2009, 03:06 PM

Panama City an expensive air destination - Magazine - The News Herald

Quote:

Forbes Magazine has named the current Panama City-Bay County International Airport as the 18th most expensive in the country. That will change with the new airport at West Bay, officials said Monday. Airport Executive Director Randy Curtis said Monday the existing airport is at a competitive disadvantage because of its shorter runway at about 6,300 feet, Curtis said. That limits what airlines can fly into Panama City, and airfares are all about the level of competition between air carriers, he said.
When the new airport is completed in May 2010, with its expected 10,000-foot runway, airport officials are hoping to attract not only low-cost carriers, but also a legacy airline carrier and international flights, Tannehill said. That additional competition should push prices down.
Until then, air travelers will have to make do with the higher prices. According to the article posted to Forbes.com, the writers used data from the Department of Transportation's Origin and Destination Survey. Flights originating from the Panama City airport averaged 35 cents per route mile, the article said.
That was a few pennies more expensive than airports in Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach but less than Dothan, Ala. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, with an average of 48 cents per mile, is the expensive in the country, according to the article. Among the country's cheapest, according to Forbes: Fort Lauderdale/Holly International Airport at 16 cents per mile and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in Alaska at 14 cents.
Curtis said the Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport and the Tallahassee Regional Airport traditionally have been the cheapest airports in the Panhandle, followed by the Northwest Florida Regional Airport in Okaloosa County. However, the Dothan airport's fares typically run a little higher than Panama City's, Curtis said.
"It really gets down to competition," Curtis said.
At an average of 35 cents per route mile, the Panama City-Bay County International Airport tied at 18th in the country with the Memphis International Airport, a major Northwest hub (now Delta-Northwest), and the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
"They are just telling the facts," said Airport Authority Chairman Joe Tannehill. "Our airport is expensive" because it is currently served by smaller planes that can carry fewer passengers. Tannehill said airport officials should have a better idea by the end of the year about which additional carriers might be coming to the new airport.

Sample fares
A Forbes magazine article rated Panama City and other airports on airfares based on cents per route mile. We decided to do a random check Monday on Orbitz.com and found the following prices (including taxes and other fees) quoted for roundtrip fares to Washington, D.C., and Dallas, for flights leaving this Thursday and returning Monday:

To Washington:
Tallahassee Regional Airport - $264
Northwest Florida Regional Airport - $412
Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport - $508
Panama City-Bay County International Airport - $637
Dothan Regional Airport - $1,060

To Dallas:
Tallahassee Regional Airport - $274
Northwest Florida Regional Airport - $474
Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport- $428
Panama City-Bay County International Airport - $647
Dothan Regional Airport - $1,060

kurt · 03-05-2009, 03:08 PM

No lawsuit in airport flap, Okaloosa decides | county, airport, vision - News - Northwest Florida Daily News

Quote:

Okaloosa County officials have decided not to sue a group of Panama City airport supporters they say petitioned for the closure of the Northwest Florida Regional Airport in Washington, D.C.

"(Okaloosa County commissioners) want to give diplomacy a chance," said County Administrator Jim Curry. "They see any kind of litigation as only a last resort. The primary objective here is the county just wants any further actions and adverse comments about our airport to cease. I think we're optimistic that everyone understands that and we can put this thing to bed and move on."

While meeting with congressmen last month, Okaloosa officials learned of an effort to close Northwest Florida Regional. A delegation of four Panama City-Bay County International Airport supporters had met with the same lawmakers earlier to seek support for closing the airport based on legal grounds with the Air Force.

One of the four people who reportedly met with Washington lawmakers is Jerry Ray, senior vice president of St. Joe Co. and a member of the board of directors of Coastal Vision 3000.

St. Joe donated 4,000 acres for the new airport to be built, while Coastal Vision 3000 is a regional nonprofit organization formed in 2007 to promote Northwest Florida as a tourist destination.

Okaloosa County sent a letter to Coastal Vision 3000 last month seeking Ray's resignation from the board.

Coastal Vision 3000 Chairman Davage "Buddy" Runnels responded in a letter to the county that said Ray would not be forced to resign unless there was evidence he petitioned in Washington for the closure of Northwest Florida Regional.

"I have publicly stated that foundationally Coastal Vision will work in harmony to support all of our airports, to grow and expand all of our markets and assist all of our regional chambers, TDCs and economic development professionals goal to help each other succeed rather than competing for failure," Runnels wrote. "If it is substantiated that any board member representing Coastal Vision has violated that common commitment, I would ask the executive committee to deal with it immediately. We will not deal in innuendos or allegations, but will act upon the truth."

The law firm of Keefe, Anchors, Gordon & Moyle has offered to represent Okaloosa County for free if the county decided to take any legal action on the issue.

Instead, county officials will schedule a meeting with Runnels to discuss the controversy and how to resolve it.

County Commissioner John Jannazo wanted the board to take a more aggressive stance. He recommended at Tuesday's commission meeting that all county agencies that contribute to Coastal Vision 3000 cease their funding until Ray resigns from the group.

"I've lost all confidence in Coastal Vision 3000," Jannazo said.

None of the other commissioners supported taking such a hard line.

kurt · 03-05-2009, 03:43 PM

New airport runway nears completion - The News Herald

Quote:

The 8,400-foot concrete runway under construction at the new Panama City-Bay County International Airport is almost complete. Construction officials are now just waiting for Federal Aviation Administration environmental approval to begin extending it to 10,000 feet.
"All that really is left is to groove it and paint it," Jeff Dealy, program manager for the relocation project, said Tuesday.
Dealy said the 15 inches of concrete for the $98-million runway is now about 90 percent poured out over 4 inches of asphalt and should be completed by the end of the month. In addition, the dirt work has been completed for the extension, he said.
After the FAA approval comes through, possibly by mid-April, the full 10,000-foot runway should only take about two more months to complete, Dealy said.
One major piece of the airport construction puzzle that still must be decided by the Airport Authority is whether and when to authorize the construction of a 5,000-foot crosswind runway for smaller aircraft.
The smaller asphalt runway, which should cost about $18 million, would be used by lighter commercial and private aircraft and corporate jets and could lesson congestion on the larger runway.
Pilots of larger international flights appreciate the added safety factor of having a crosswind runway, and airport officials are hoping to add international flights when the $318-million airport is completed in May 2010.
Dealy said officials with Phoenix Construction, which had the contract for the site preparation work for the new airport, are hoping for an early decision on the crosswind runway because they still have their equipment located at the site.
If another job comes up and Phoenix has to move the equipment off site, the cost of the smaller runway would rise because they would have to move their equipment back, Dealy said.
In addition, Dealy said construction on the six-building terminal complex is now about 18-percent complete. The complex will consist of a 147-foot air traffic control tower, the main terminal, a public safety building, a maintenance building, a cargo building and a rental car area.

kurt · 03-09-2009, 07:11 AM

kurt · 03-09-2009, 07:13 AM

Construction Update: 3/5/2009

Contract 1: Heavy Civil and Airfield Lighting
Approximately 80% of the contract work is complete with only 54% of the contract time used.

Installation of 12” drainage pipes in the berms, draining into Pond C is underway.
On Taxiway D and main terminal apron, all lime rock base and the first lift of asphalt paving is in place. The 2nd lift has been delayed until March 17.
All water is currently being emptied off the site and all ponds will be dry within the next week.
Stabilization of the site is underway.
Grassing of the major dirt areas is beginning.
RCP piping is underway in the GA area.
1st lift of asphalt is approximately 75% complete on the General Aviation Access road.

Approximately 115 pieces of heavy equipment are in operation at any one time with approximately 160 personnel on site for the heavy civil and utilities contracts.
Contract 2: Terminal Building, ATCT and Support Buildings
Approximately 18% of contract work is complete with 24% of contract time utilized.
Terminal

Preparing for escalator footings at connector hall.
Installing re-steel on Level 2 of Areas B and C.

Air Traffic Control Tower

Pile cap will be complete on 3-6-09.
New crew begins forming walls next week.

Air Maintenance Facility

Preparing to pour slab.

Air Cargo Facility

Concrete sidewalk with bollards is complete.

Public Safety Building

Pouring Footings on 3-5-09, starting on building pad next week.

Rental Car Facility

Completing installation of storm sewer.

Fuel Storage

Work begins next week.

Manpower

The average man power on site for Contract 2 per day is 95 people based on a five day work week.

Contract 3: Utility Contract
Approximately 15% of contract work is complete with 13% of contract time utilized.
Main Access Road

3W2” Power Distribution Duct Bank is 36% complete.
Street light duct work is 55% complete.

Joyner Road

24” water main is 72% complete.

General Aviation Access Road

30” water main is 20% complete.

Lift Station

Work is 20% complete.

kurt · 03-09-2009, 07:13 AM

Construction Update: 3/5/2009

Contract 1: Heavy Civil and Airfield Lighting
Approximately 80% of the contract work is complete with only 54% of the contract time used.

Installation of 12” drainage pipes in the berms, draining into Pond C is underway.
On Taxiway D and main terminal apron, all lime rock base and the first lift of asphalt paving is in place. The 2nd lift has been delayed until March 17.
All water is currently being emptied off the site and all ponds will be dry within the next week.
Stabilization of the site is underway.
Grassing of the major dirt areas is beginning.
RCP piping is underway in the GA area.
1st lift of asphalt is approximately 75% complete on the General Aviation Access road.

Approximately 115 pieces of heavy equipment are in operation at any one time with approximately 160 personnel on site for the heavy civil and utilities contracts.
Contract 2: Terminal Building, ATCT and Support Buildings
Approximately 18% of contract work is complete with 24% of contract time utilized.
Terminal

Preparing for escalator footings at connector hall.
Installing re-steel on Level 2 of Areas B and C.

Air Traffic Control Tower

Pile cap will be complete on 3-6-09.
New crew begins forming walls next week.

Air Maintenance Facility

Preparing to pour slab.

Air Cargo Facility

Concrete sidewalk with bollards is complete.

Public Safety Building

Pouring Footings on 3-5-09, starting on building pad next week.

Rental Car Facility

Completing installation of storm sewer.

Fuel Storage

Work begins next week.

Manpower

The average man power on site for Contract 2 per day is 95 people based on a five day work week.

Contract 3: Utility Contract
Approximately 15% of contract work is complete with 13% of contract time utilized.
Main Access Road

3W2” Power Distribution Duct Bank is 36% complete.
Street light duct work is 55% complete.

Joyner Road

24” water main is 72% complete.

General Aviation Access Road

30” water main is 20% complete.

Lift Station

Work is 20% complete.

kurt · 03-12-2009, 06:21 AM

Panama City-Bay County International Airport - Florida - Panama - Airport Technology

The Panama City-Bay County International Airport is situated around 6km from Panama City in the state of Florida. The 745-acre airport has two runways, the 14/32 at around 6,000ft and the 5/23 at 4,900ft and a 55,500ft² terminal building with six gates (two jet bridges).

Owned by the Panama City-Bay County Airport Authority the airport has been considering expansion plans since the 1980s. The 14/32 runway at the airport has some problems in that it cannot be easily lengthened to accommodate full-sized jets because this would infringe upon protected land (St Andrews Bay (Goose Bayou) has a protected sea grass species) and also the runway is inside the hurricane belt, being flooded during certain times of the season since it is only 6ft above sea level (the other end of the runway is a dense residential area). Finally the safety zones for the 14/32 runway are not up to specification (a waiver being in place until 2015) and they need to be increased.

Faced with these problems the airport authority and the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) considered alternatives in the 1990s and decided to relocate and build a new airport. The airport is expecting to host 600,000 passengers a year by 2020.

New airport site
The site chosen for the new airport is about eight miles from the original airport on 1,600 acres of a 4,000-acre site surrounded by protected woodland (in the 75,000-acre West Bay Area Sector). The site was donated to the airport by the Jacksonville Florida developer, The St Joe Company (FAA completed a site selection study in 2001). The new airport site is outside of tidal surge zones and hurricane danger areas and so will not have the same runway flooding problems as the old airport.

The new airport is expected to be opened in May 2010 and will include a 10,000ft×150ft runway (which will be extended to 12,000ft later) and also a 5,000ft×100ft crosswind runway along with a 125,000ft² seven-gate terminal building (Transportation Security Administration passed the terminal design in April 2006).
Other buildings at the airport will be an air traffic control tower, rental car facilities, public safety building, maintenance facility, utility building and an air cargo building.

Environmental and permit agreements
Environmentalists filed six suits against the development but were assuaged by an undertaking from the airport authority supported by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to create a 40,000-acre (60-square-mile) conservation area around West Bay (9,609 acres of this were provided by the St Joe Company).

The West Bay Preservation Area will include 33 miles of untouched shoreline and 44 miles of creeks and tributaries.

The plans were approved by Bay County and the State of Florida in 2002 and specific plans for the area were approved in 2003. Following this agreement the FAA issued a final environmental impact statement in May 2006 and a record of decision for the move in September 2006. The US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) issued their 404 permit in August 2007 allowing the construction to begin.

he old airport site was sold subject to contract in September 2007 to Community Airport Redevelopment LLC (90% owned by Leucadia National Corp of New York and 10% owned by WMR Capital Corp of Delaware) for $56.5m in cash and $38m from sale of developments on the site.
The money raised will be used to offset the costs of building the new airport. The costs of construction for the new facility are around $318m and finance is being provided from federal, state and local government sources in equal amounts.

New airport construction and contracts
Although construction on the new airport project began in January 2008 it still remains for the airport authority to convince airlines and cargo carriers (900 acres of land are available for cargo operations to be constructed) to use the new facility (the new airport has been dubbed the 'Aerotropolis').

The site preparation contract was awarded to Phoenix Construction ($112.5m). Project and construction management was contracted to Kellogg Brown and Root of Houston, who will provide a management overview of the project along with the Florida Department of Transportation and the FAA. The contract to construct the terminal was awarded to Walbridge as the lowest tender bidder of $68m (the new terminal will be constructed to obtain LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

will also be involved in design and engineering (AVCON were consultants for the master plan). The design managers / engineers for the project are Post, Buckley, Schuh and Jerrigan (PBS&J) and the systems engineers are TLC of Tampa.

The runway began construction in September 2008 with the laying of test strips; this led to the conclusion that the airstrip runway should be a full 15in thick with a top layer paving of concrete (making it able to handle any aircraft in service) along with centre-line lighting.
The decision to build the runway to 10,000ft long straight away (the funding is in place, an additional $4.5m) rather than 8,400ft was made in September 2008. The airport will be the first to be opened in the US since the mid-1990s.

AAbsolute · 03-13-2009, 05:20 AM

Good statisitics. This update put it all in perspective. By 2020, which is just 11 short years from now, our new Panama City International Airport will be handling as much traffic as the Cave Springs Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport.

SWGB · 03-13-2009, 12:49 PM

For those that don't feel like reading through the entire thing, that is #113 on the list.

Tallahassee is #123
Clearwater is #142
Mobile #150
Key West #160
Panama City is currently #195

beachmouse · 03-13-2009, 02:23 PM

Aslo:

VPS #140
Pensacola #94

Smallest 'International airport'- Ogdensburg International in New York. Annual commercial passenger count- a little over 4,000 people. I assume the International tag for a lot of the smaller border area airports is mostly about handling private passenger and cargo from Mexico and/or Canada.

SWGB · 03-13-2009, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beachmouse

Aslo:

VPS #140
Pensacola #94

Smallest 'International airport'- Ogdensburg International in New York. Annual commercial passenger count- a little over 4,000 people. I assume the International tag for a lot of the smaller border area airports is mostly about handling private passenger and cargo from Mexico and/or Canada.

Actually the international designation just means that customs is located nearby. They probably don't even have an office at that airport and they have to come from a port or other airport.

kurt · 03-16-2009, 04:05 PM

Construction Update: 3/12/2009
Posted: 15 Mar 2009 05:46 PM PDT
Contract 1: Heavy Civil and Airfield Lighting
Approximately 80% of the contract work is complete with only 55.8% of the contract time used.

Underground utilities are being installed in the General Aviation area.
Fine grading along the runway is continuing.
Seeding is ongoing in the North section of the site.
Installation of the centerline lighting cans is approximately 75% complete.

Approximately 115 pieces of heavy equipment are in operation at any one time with approximately 160 personnel on site for the heavy civil (contract 1) and utilities (contract 3) contracts.
Contract 2: Terminal Building, ATCT and Support Buildings
Approximately 18% of contract work is complete with 25% of contract time utilized.
Terminal:
All shoring has been removed from Area A.
Installation of re-steel on Level 2 of Area B is complete.
Beginning to prep the slab on grade between areas B and C.
Air Traffic Control Tower:
Pile cap complete using approximately 350 cubic yards of concrete.
Beginning to form up the 1st level.
Air Maintenance Facility:
Backfilling of maintenance pit is complete. Preparing for slab on grade.
Air Cargo Facility:
Installation of pre-engineered metal building is ongoing.
Public Safety Building:
Completed concrete pour of perimeter footings/elevator footing.
Rental Car Facility:
Completing installation of underground utilites.
The average manpower on site for Contract 2 per day is 105 people based on a five day work week. Manpower on Saturdays is approximately 31 people.

Contract 3: Utility Contract
Approximately 18% of contract work is complete with 15% of contract time utilized.
Main Access Road:
3W2” Power Distribution Duct Bank: 53% complete.
Street light duct work: 65% complete.
Joyner Road:
24” water main: 90% complete.
GA Access Road:
30” water main: 45% complete.
Lift Station:
30% complete.
CR-388 & Main Entrance:
8” Directional Drill is complete.

kurt · 03-18-2009, 05:02 AM

kurt · 03-24-2009, 09:06 PM

Airport hires "master developer" - News - The News Herald

Quote:

PANAMA CITY - Airport Authority members made a decision Tuesday that could mean as much to regional economic development as the original decision to build the new airport near West Bay.
Members chose Jones Lang LeSalle over four other companies to manage the industrial and commercial development of 1,400 acres of land surrounding the new Panama City-Bay County International Airport, set to open in May 2010.
Jones officials gave a presentation during which they billed themselves as a global real estate services and investment company with 750 location in 60 countries.
"You certainly seem to have the network we are looking for," said Authority Vice Chairman Bill Cramer.
Jones was chosen over the following companies: Hunt Development Group, St. Joe/Haskell, Taylor & Mathis and TranSystems.
The Airport Authority will now enter into contract negotiation with Jones Lang LaSalle over a financial compensation package that will take the form of sharing revenue from the development of the property.

Jones Lang LaSalle. Global Commercial Real Estate Services. Investment Management

kurt · 03-29-2009, 08:59 PM

Construction Update: 3/27/2009 — The New PFN

Construction Update: 3/27/2009

by NewPFN on March 30, 2009
Contract 1: Heavy Civil and Airfield Lighting
Approximately 82% of the contract work is complete with only 60% of the contract time used.

Installation of underground utilities continues in the General Aviation area.
8400’ of Runway 16-34 is 100% complete. (Still awaiting final approval for 10,000’)
Installation of the centerline lighting cans is approximately 80% complete.

Approximately 115 pieces of heavy equipment are in operation at any one time with approximately 160 personnel on site for the heavy civil (contract 1) and utilities (contract 3) contracts.
Contract 2: Terminal Building, ATCT and Support Buildings
Approximately 20% of contract work is complete with 27% of contract time utilized.
Terminal:
Erecting steel at north end of Terminal Area A.
Concrete pour on 2nd level of Area B is complete.
Air Traffic Control Tower:
Installation of steel and framework for Tower walls continuing.
Air Maintenance Facility:
Completed soil treatment and installation of vapor barrier
Installing re-steel.
Air Maintenance Shed:
Continuing the installation of the metal roofing system.
Air Cargo Facility:
Installation of pre-engineered metal building and metal roofing is ongoing.
Public Safety Building:
Completed concrete pour of stem wall around building.
Rental Car Facility:
Completing installation of underground utilities.
Manpower:
The average man power on site for Contract 2 per day is 103 people based on a five day work week.
Contract 3: Utility Contract
Approximately 20% of contract work is complete with 17% of contract time utilized.
Main Access Road:
3W2” Power Distribution Duct Bank: 68% complete
Street light duct work: 75% complete
Joyner Road:
24” water main: 98% complete
Testing is underway
GA Access Road:
30” water main: 55% complete
Lift Station:
30% complete
Crooked Creek:
8” Directional Drill is complete

kurt · 04-07-2009, 05:49 AM

Construction Update: 4/2/2009
Posted: 06 Apr 2009 08:13 PM PDT
Contract 1: Heavy Civil and Airfield Lighting
In general, base bid earthwork and Main Access Road are significantly completed. All of the P-403 asphalt base and 100% of the 15” concrete paving lanes have been placed on 8,400 linear feet of Runway 16-34. On the taxiways and main apron, all lime rock base and the first 2” lift of P-401 base have been placed.
Approximately 60% of the contract time utilized (450 of 780) with 82% of work completed.
All interim milestones being met or exceeded:

All 1330 acres cleared and grubbed. Less than 30 acres of wetlands associated with crosswind runway remain to be cleared and filled. Over 5.9m cubic yards of earth have been moved (95% of latest total). 151,307 square yards of landside lime rock base and 130,885 square yards of flightline P-211 lime rock base have been installed in accordance with the project specifications.

12,902 tons of asphalt base course is in place along the Main Access Road (MRA) and loop road (60% of plan). Curb, lime rock, and asphalt base installation within terminal parking lots is now 100% complete. 36,521 tons of P-403 asphalt base (95% of design) and 70,000 cubic yards of structural concrete (90% of plan including the terminal apron) have been placed.

13,819 tons of P-401 asphalt base has been placed on Taxiway D and the main apron (30% of total).

Stormwater drainage pipe installation on Base Bid is now 99% complete (over 38,000 linear feet of RCP installed). Storm sewer installation within the GAA is now 50% complete. Perforated under drain is now 45% complete (70,000 linear feet installed). Mass grading within Pond C is now completed. Installation of the bottom layer of Pond C is now 99% complete. Testing of sands continues at every 2,000 square yards.

ALCS status includes: 35,402 linear feet of electrical lighting duct bank (75% of design quantity), 22 junction plazas, 43,657 linear feet of counterpoise systems earthed by 422 grounding rods. 347 runway centerline and TDZ lights have been installed. Edge light conduits have not yet begun.

There are approximately 115 pieces of heavy equipment in operation at any one time with approximately 160 personnel on site.

Contract 2: Terminal Building, ATCT and Support Buildings
In general with 27% of the project period of performance utilized and 23% of the work in place, site activities can be considered well underway.
Design charette meetings for the structural steel are complete. Review of other architecturally related features continue. Site inspections by Bay County and internal Threshold Inspections actively continue and are being tracked in log format.
Individual building status is provided below.
Terminal:

100% of the foundations are now complete.
Second floor slabs are now 70% complete.
95% of the Level 1 columns are in place and erection of red-iron structural framework associated with the roof has begun on the northern end.
Level 2 columns are 35% complete.
Plumbing rough-in under slab 1st floor is approximately 95% complete and tested.
Backfilling and compaction continues around the building facility.
Testing for the building is being recorded in a matrix format included within Monthly Material Testing Summary.
In April, second floor slabbing will be poured out and the structural steel roofing framework will be completed.

Air Traffic Control Tower:

72 Auger cast piles and associated pile caps are in place.
First level concrete reinforcement has been tied.
Continued placement of structural concrete is awaiting full cure of the pile cap with forming scheduled to begin in mid-April.

Air Cargo Facility:

Completed slab on grade, pre-engineered building framework, and metal roofing.
Loading dock slab and walls complete. Continue installation of storm water pipe and structures. Masonry begins the first week of April.

Air Maintenance Facility:

Metal panels are underway on the shed.
Air Maintenance pit/slab/walls complete.
Storm sewer installation continues.

Public Safety Building:

Spread / perimeter footings and associated stem walls are now completed.
Under-slab electrical and plumbing is completed.
Under drains will begin in April.

Rental Car Facility:

Utilities and storm water pipe installation continues.
Pre-engineered metal building under fabrication.

There are approximately 105 personnel on site for this contract.
Contract 3: Utility Contract
Contract has been executed and all necessary submittals, insurance and bonds have been received from the Contractor.
Production volumes in place to date are as follows:

Approximately 17% of time has been utilized.
Contractor direct billings through March equivalent to 20% of value released to date.
Owner purchase orders paid to date equivalent to 25% of total contract.

All interim milestones are being met or exceeded:

10,508 linear feet of 12” C900 PVC water main installed from CR-388 north to GA intersection.
3,209’ of 30”CL250 DI water main along GA Road.
7,878’ of 24” C905 PVC water main along Joyner Road along with 355 linear feet of directional drilling of HDPE SDRII near CR 388.
9,376 linear feet of 8” C900 PVC sanitary force main was installed from CR-388 north to GA intersection along with 887 linear feet of HDPE direction drilling under Crooked Creek.
1,313 linear feet of 8” PVC sanitary sewer gravity sewer was installed along the main Access Road along with the lift station near Kelly Branch.
11,209 linear feet of 3W2” power distribution duct bank installed direct bury. 4,422 linear feet. 6Wx4” concrete encased duct bank
23,750 linear feet of street light duct work installed on west side of main road.

There are 21 pieces of equipment and 35 personnel on site associated with this contract.

kurt · 04-21-2009, 05:58 AM

Construction Update: 4/16/2009
Posted: 20 Apr 2009 09:02 PM PDT
Contract 1: Heavy Civil and Airfield Lighting
Approximately 86% of the contract work is complete with only 60% of the contract time used.

Installation of underground utilities continues in the General Aviation area; approx. 80 % complete.
8400’ of Runway 16-34 is 100% complete. (Still awaiting final approval for 10,000’).
Earthwork, sub grade and limerock base is complete on Taxiway D; Asphalt paving is approximately 60% complete.
Masonry work is ongoing on the ALV building.
Installation of the centerline lighting cans is approximately 82% complete.
TDZ lighting cans are approx. 81% complete.

Approximately 115 pieces of heavy equipment are in operation at any one time with approximately 160 personnel on site for the heavy civil (contract 1) and utilities(contract 3) contracts.
Contract 2: Terminal Building, ATCT and Support Buildings
Approximately 22% of contract work is complete with 31% of contract time utilized.
Terminal:

Beginning installation of roof deck in Area A.
2nd floor is now complete in Area B.
Continuing installation of reinforcing steel in area D 2nd level.
Continuing installation of underdrains.
Slab on grade is complete between columns B & C in Area A.
Continuing with structural steel sequence in Area A.

Air Traffic Control Tower:

Completed concrete pour of foundation walls.

Air Maintenance Facility:

Completed slab on grade and now erecting steel.

Air Maintenance Shed:

Continuing installation of split face CMU walls.

Air Cargo Facility:

Continuing installation of split face CMU walls; setting door frames.

Rental Car Facility:

Completing installation of underground utilities.

Public Safety Building:

Forming, resteeling and pouring elevator walls.

The average man power on site for Contract 2 per day is 106 people based on a five day work week. Saturday manpower is average 48 people.
Contract 3: Utility Contract
Approximately 26% of contract work is complete with 25% of contract time utilized.
Main Access Road:

3W2” Power Distribution Duct Bank: 68% complete.
Street light duct work: 75% complete.

Joyner Road:

24” water main: Testing complete-passed.

GA Access Road:

30” water main: 55% complete.

Lift Station:

Wet well installed.

Crooked Creek:

8” Directional Drill is complete

beachmouse · 04-29-2009, 09:50 AM

Airport contractor faces environmental fine:

Panama City airport builder faces environmental fine - St. Petersburg Times

Quote:

A contractor building the new Panama City airport has repeatedly violated water pollution rules and now is likely to face a fine from the state Department of Environmental Protection, a top DEP official said recently.

"We really want this fixed," said Dick Fancher, who oversees the DEP in the Panhandle.

But the contractor, James Finch of Phoenix Construction, denies causing any pollution. "We've not had any violations," said Finch, a NASCAR team owner whose driver won Sunday's race at Talladega. Finch's construction company has been penalized before for violating water pollution laws.

Told that Fancher had mentioned fining his company, Finch blurted out, "A fine?!" He blamed "birdwatchers" for reporting problems that didn't exist.

SWGB · 04-29-2009, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beachmouse

Airport contractor faces environmental fine:

Panama City airport builder faces environmental fine - St. Petersburg Times

Yep, don't be surprised when the new airport needs massive renovations and stabilization once completed due to shotty work by Pheonix. They've been bending Bay County over a barrell for years and the BCC still can't figure out why their butts hurt.

tg1317 · 05-07-2009, 10:57 AM

Does anyone have any good (recent) data on the economic impact of the new airport? I have heard mixed opinions from a variety of sources. Thanks! Hard data would be great (commercial construction, etc..)

kurt · 05-19-2009, 05:47 AM

Contract 1: Heavy Civil and Airfield Lighting
Approximately 86% of the contract work is complete with only 64% of the contract time used.

8400’ of Runway 16-34 is 100% complete. (Still awaiting final approval for 10,000’)
Grooving of the runway is underway and should be complete next week.
Final grading of the main access road is underway.
Installation of the centerline lighting cans is approximately 100% complete.
TDZ lighting cans are approximately 100% complete.

Approximately 100 pieces of heavy equipment are in operation at any one time with approximately 150 personnel on site for the heavy civil and utilities contracts.
Contract 2: Terminal Building, Air Traffic Control Tower and Support Buildings
Approximately 24% of contract work is complete with 36% of contract time utilized.
Terminal:

Continuing with structural steal sequence 9-11 in Areas B & C.
Completed 2nd level deck area E concourse.
Continuing main conduit runs under-slab.

Air Traffic Control Tower:

Completed 2nd level concrete wall pour, continuing with 3rd floor.

Air Maintenance Facility:

Completed erection of structural steel, masonry wall and metal roof.

Air Maintenance Shed:

Continuing metal siding installation.

Air Cargo Facility:

Completed installation of metal siding to begin interior metal studs.

Rental Car Facility:

Began layout of building foundation.

Public Safety Building:

Completed installation of floor troughs and completed concrete pour.

Manpower:

The average manpower on site per day for Contract 2 is 106 people based on a five-day work week.

Contract 3: Utility Contract
Approximately 33% of contract work is complete with 31% of contract time utilized.
Main Access Road:

3W2” Power Distribution Duct Bank is 80% complete.
Street light duct work is 85% complete.

Joyner Road:

24” water main is 98% complete.

GA Access Road:

30” water main is 69% complete

Lift Station:

Lift station is 35% complete.

Booster Station:

Site work is underway.

Gas Main Installation:

Approximately 2 weeks to completion.
AT&T duct bank installed from main gate to intersection

Force Main on CR 388:

Installation is continuing.

Beauty hunter · 05-19-2009, 08:47 AM

Any news on Patrick Dempsey flying in?

Andy A. · 05-19-2009, 09:12 AM

Kurt, Thank you for keeping us updated on the progress of the airport. Do not answer if you wish not to do so but are you involved in keeping track of the construction in any way? At any rate, it is important to keep abreast of the progress and, once again, your input, research and effort to do so is greatly appreciated.

kurt · 05-19-2009, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy A.

Kurt, Thank you for keeping us updated on the progress of the airport. Do not answer if you wish not to do so but are you involved in keeping track of the construction in any way? At any rate, it is important to keep abreast of the progress and, once again, your input, research and effort to do so is greatly appreciated.

You're welcome. I am not directly involved. I simply get the email updates from their site because I am keenly interested and want to pass on the info.

Sometimes development, changes, and progress seem to take forever, and sometimes they seem to happen overnight. Ever notice that?

Andy A. · 05-19-2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurt

You're welcome. I am not directly involved. I simply get the email updates from their site because I am keenly interested and want to pass on the info.

Sometimes development, changes, and progress seem to take forever, and sometimes they seem to happen overnight. Ever notice that?

Yes I have. And once they got by all the contentions, they seem to be really progressing quite nicely. I think it will end up being a boon to the area. Thanks again for the updates and the reply

kurt · 05-26-2009, 06:56 AM

Boardings down at Panhandle airports (see CHART) - The News Herald

Quote:

The three major airports on the Emerald Coast do not appear immune from hard times in today's slumping economy.

Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport appears to be hurting the most. For each of the first four months of 2009, its drop in boardings has ranged from 16.5 percent to 22.3 percent. The Panama City-Bay County International Airport has seen a drop ranging from 3 percent in March to 8.8 percent in January.

Pensacola does have the most carriers (six) and the most daily flights in and out (76), according to its Web site. Northwest Florida Regional Airport has five carriers and 54 daily flights, while Panama City has two carriers and 11 daily flights.
Randy Curtis, director of Panama City's airport, said "about two-thirds of the balance here is business and military travel."

The Air Force is the main reason for Northwest Florida Regional's stability, said Greg Donovan, Okaloosa County's airports director.

"There's a lot of business activity associated with the military, because if you work for Lockheed and you're connected with the F-35, you can come from Fort Worth on American Eagle," Donovan said. He also referenced that the airport property belongs to Eglin Air Force, which controls the air space.

"We've got involvement with Eglin, we're connected with Hurlburt (Field) and we've got those Army Special Forces coming in here, too," he said. "All those things mean activity here that is resilient to a national downtrend."

Melinda Crawford, interim director of Pensacola's airport, estimated 53 percent of its passengers come on business, 26 percent are connected with the military and 21 percent are classified as "leisure."

At Northwest Florida Regional, the breakdown is 42 percent military/civil service/government contractors, 30 percent leisure and 28 percent business other than military.

All three continue to compete in a market that's known throughout the Southeast as a drive-to destination. Last year, Pensacola added "Gulf Coast" to its name. It also has a $35 million expansion under way. Okaloosa Regional Airport became Northwest Florida Regional last September. The airport's new rental car service facility, fuel farm and aircraft parking area were completed in March at a price tag of $14.7 million.

In Bay County, the $318 million airport near West Bay scheduled for completion in May 2010 has been trumpeting its "international" title for months.

Holy grail

Still, low fares cannot be ignored when it comes to customer appeal, and Pensacola does have low-cost carrier Air Tran. Even so, securing Southwest Airlines remains a sort of holy grail quest for all three airports.

Curtis calls Southwest "one of our major objectives, and they're the cream of the crop."
At the University of West Florida's Haas Center, Rod Lewis is preparing a seven-county report on airlines that is due for delivery July 1.

"Every community is looking for increased air service and low-cost carriers to improve the tourist environment and expand its reach," Lewis said. "The result would be more business and more convention visitors."

What determines the winner in this ongoing contest?

"The number of people employed at each airport, the number of flights in and out and the total number of people they bring into the region," Lewis said. "And having them spend their money in the region that would not have come but for that airport."

Donovan and assistant Mike Stenson have a June 3 meeting scheduled with representatives from Southwest.

But Mike Boyd, who heads aviation consulting firm The Boyd Group in Colorado, doesn't think Southwest will come anytime soon. Boyd is considered a national expert who appeared at Donovan's invitation in Fort Walton Beach last year.

"You have to bang on their door," Boyd said. "They'll say they love you, but they might not be there. They're going to open Milwaukee this fall, and they're not coming to small and mid-size markets right now.

"But you can never trust an airline when they tell you ‘no,'" he added. "They'll say they're not coming right up until the day they sign a deal to come there."

As for the overall picture in the near future, Boyd said he is not optimistic.

"The airlines are cutting back in capacity, anticipating a major reduction in travel this fall," he said. "It's not going to be a rosy picture ... about 12 percent less capacity this fall."

kurt · 05-26-2009, 06:56 AM

Boardings down at Panhandle airports (see CHART) - The News Herald

Quote:

The three major airports on the Emerald Coast do not appear immune from hard times in today's slumping economy.

Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport appears to be hurting the most. For each of the first four months of 2009, its drop in boardings has ranged from 16.5 percent to 22.3 percent. The Panama City-Bay County International Airport has seen a drop ranging from 3 percent in March to 8.8 percent in January.

Pensacola does have the most carriers (six) and the most daily flights in and out (76), according to its Web site. Northwest Florida Regional Airport has five carriers and 54 daily flights, while Panama City has two carriers and 11 daily flights.
Randy Curtis, director of Panama City's airport, said "about two-thirds of the balance here is business and military travel."

The Air Force is the main reason for Northwest Florida Regional's stability, said Greg Donovan, Okaloosa County's airports director.

"There's a lot of business activity associated with the military, because if you work for Lockheed and you're connected with the F-35, you can come from Fort Worth on American Eagle," Donovan said. He also referenced that the airport property belongs to Eglin Air Force, which controls the air space.

"We've got involvement with Eglin, we're connected with Hurlburt (Field) and we've got those Army Special Forces coming in here, too," he said. "All those things mean activity here that is resilient to a national downtrend."

Melinda Crawford, interim director of Pensacola's airport, estimated 53 percent of its passengers come on business, 26 percent are connected with the military and 21 percent are classified as "leisure."

At Northwest Florida Regional, the breakdown is 42 percent military/civil service/government contractors, 30 percent leisure and 28 percent business other than military.

All three continue to compete in a market that's known throughout the Southeast as a drive-to destination. Last year, Pensacola added "Gulf Coast" to its name. It also has a $35 million expansion under way. Okaloosa Regional Airport became Northwest Florida Regional last September. The airport's new rental car service facility, fuel farm and aircraft parking area were completed in March at a price tag of $14.7 million.

In Bay County, the $318 million airport near West Bay scheduled for completion in May 2010 has been trumpeting its "international" title for months.

Holy grail

Still, low fares cannot be ignored when it comes to customer appeal, and Pensacola does have low-cost carrier Air Tran. Even so, securing Southwest Airlines remains a sort of holy grail quest for all three airports.

Curtis calls Southwest "one of our major objectives, and they're the cream of the crop."
At the University of West Florida's Haas Center, Rod Lewis is preparing a seven-county report on airlines that is due for delivery July 1.

"Every community is looking for increased air service and low-cost carriers to improve the tourist environment and expand its reach," Lewis said. "The result would be more business and more convention visitors."

What determines the winner in this ongoing contest?

"The number of people employed at each airport, the number of flights in and out and the total number of people they bring into the region," Lewis said. "And having them spend their money in the region that would not have come but for that airport."

Donovan and assistant Mike Stenson have a June 3 meeting scheduled with representatives from Southwest.

But Mike Boyd, who heads aviation consulting firm The Boyd Group in Colorado, doesn't think Southwest will come anytime soon. Boyd is considered a national expert who appeared at Donovan's invitation in Fort Walton Beach last year.

"You have to bang on their door," Boyd said. "They'll say they love you, but they might not be there. They're going to open Milwaukee this fall, and they're not coming to small and mid-size markets right now.

"But you can never trust an airline when they tell you ‘no,'" he added. "They'll say they're not coming right up until the day they sign a deal to come there."

As for the overall picture in the near future, Boyd said he is not optimistic.

"The airlines are cutting back in capacity, anticipating a major reduction in travel this fall," he said. "It's not going to be a rosy picture ... about 12 percent less capacity this fall."

kurt · 06-02-2009, 06:52 AM

The most recent aerial photos of the new airport site document the progress that continues to be made. The new airport is currently expected to open in approximately one year - in May 2010.

There are more construction photos here.

kurt · 06-02-2009, 06:57 AM

Construction Update: 5/28/2009

by NewPFN on June 1, 2009
Contract 1: Heavy Civil and Airfield Lighting
Approximately 86% of the contract work is complete with only 64% of the contract time used.

8400’ of Runway 16-34 is 100% complete. (Still awaiting final approval for 10,000’)
Grooving of the runway is complete.
Final grading of the main access road is underway.
Paving of the taxiway connectors is underway.
Turf establishment in the western perimeter ditch is complete.
Stabilization of Morrell Branch outfall is complete.

Contract 2: Terminal Building, ATCT and Support Buildings
Approximately 30% of contract work is complete with 38% of contract time used.
Terminal

Continue erecting structural steel at Areas B&C (Connector Hall and Ticketing/Airline offices) with 90% complete.
Continue with metal decking with nearly 70% complete.
Continue with the installation of underground utility runs including plumbing and electrical rough-in.
Began the excavations for the pedestrian bridge from Terminal to Terminal Parking.
Began fire sprinkler install at Area A (baggage reclaim).

Air Traffic Control Tower

Completed concrete pour of 3rd floor shaft walls.
Continue installing reinforcing steel levels 4 and 5.

Air Maintenance Facility, Air Maintenance Shed, Air Cargo Facility

Continue erecting metal panels and roofing.

Rental Car Facility

Continue with layout and forming of foundations for rental car facility.

Public Safety Building

Completed concrete placement slab on grade admin area of PSB.
Split face block delivered and ready for install.

The average manpower on site for Contract 2 per day is 105 people based on a five-day work week.
Contract 3: Utility Contract
Approximately 34% of contract work is complete with 36% of contract time used.
Main Access Road

3W2” Power Distribution Duct Bank is 87% complete.
Street light duct work is 87% complete.
6W4” Power Distribution Duct Bank is 87% complete

Joyner Road

24” water main is 98% complete

GA Access Road
30” water main is 72% complete

12” water main is 69% complete

Lift Station

Lift station is 35% complete.

Booster Station

Site work continuing.

Gas Main Installation

2 weeks to completion.
AT&T duct bank installed from main gate to intersection.

Force Main on CR 388

Expected completion date: May 30.

Fuel Farm

Site work beginning.

kurt · 06-15-2009, 12:35 PM

THE ST. JOE COMPANY (NYSE: JOE) ANNOUNCES MASTERPLANNING AGREEMENTS WITH HASKELL AND TRANSYSTEMS

Team to Focus First On 1,000 Acres Adjacent To New International Airport Scheduled To Open May 2010

West Bay, Florida - (June 12, 2009) - The St. Joe Company (NYSE: JOE) today announced that it has entered into agreements with The Haskell Company, America's Green Design-Build Leader, and TranSystems Corporation, one of the world's leading transportation planning and engineering firms, to masterplan JOE land adjacent to the new Panama City - Bay County International Airport which is scheduled to open in May 2010.

The initial parcels are being planned and positioned for office, retail and industrial users, totaling approximately 1,000 acres (400 hectares). This land is a portion of approximately 71,000 acres (28,400 hectares) that St. Joe owns within the West Bay Sector, a large mixed-use master-planned project located in Bay County in Northwest Florida.

The sector is anchored by the new 4,000-acre (1,600-hectare) international airport now under construction.

"With the scheduled opening of the airport now less than one year away, we are accelerating our preconstruction activity and stepping up marketing outreach to global users who need ready access to the new airport," said St. Joe's president and CEO Britt Greene. "Our land at West Bay is a world-class asset, and our marketing outreach is to global users. Our initial marketing focus will be aerospace, logistics and defense-oriented technology companies."

"Our land at West Bay also has easy access to a nearby deepwater port in Panama City and very good road and rail connections," said Greene. "It's truly a unique opportunity to be part of one of Florida's largest mixed-use planned developments."

"We are very pleased to have The Haskell Company and TranSystems working with us on our project at West Bay," said Greene. "Haskell has earned its reputation as one of the best design-build firms in the nation. TranSystems is an acknowledged leader in engineering and planning and supply-chain management consulting. Together, we can provide a complete solution for a broad range of commercial, industrial, office and retail users."

"JOE's project at West Bay is one of the most exciting we've seen in a long time," said Steve Halverson, President and CEO of The Haskell Company. "There are very few greenfield opportunities with a strategic location and high-quality access to an airport, a deepwater port, road and rail connections. We are proud to be part of a team that can deliver a valuable product to a wide range of users."

"The site at West Bay brings tremendous resources to service the campus cluster style that leading edge technology users demand in a Green environment. With the new Airport added to the transportation infrastructure mix, this development provides for the realization of what it means to be a world leading LEAN site that wrings out inefficiencies in the supply chain," said Brian Larson, President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of TranSystems.

As part of the master-planning process, the team is creating a development node capable of joining the Gulf Coast's aerospace corridor. A concentration of U.S. Air Force, Navy and Army aerospace and aviation facilities along the Florida, Alabama and Mississippi Gulf Coast have created a cluster of aerospace and aviation businesses and workforce talent in the region.

This Gulf Coast corridor also includes the site selected by Northrop Grumman and EADS for the final assembly of a new aerial tanker, the KC-45, for the U.S. Air Force, should they win the contract. The U.S. Air Force is expected to issue the new bid package for the $35 billion (25 billion euro) aerial tanker project later this summer. Northrop Grumman and EADS have teamed to compete for the contract.

St. Joe's project at West Bay is part of the larger West Bay Sector Plan, a product of Florida's unique sector planning process. A planning framework is in place for approximately 75,000 acres (30,000 hectares), which includes the airport, to ensure long-term land-use compatibility. Approximately 41,000 acres (16,500 hectares) in the West Bay Sector have been preserved forever through the establishment of the West Bay Preservation Area.

About JOE
The St. Joe Company (NYSE: JOE), a publicly held company based in Jacksonville, is one of Florida's largest real estate development companies and Northwest Florida's largest private landowner. We are primarily engaged in real estate development and sales, with significant interests in timber. More information about St. Joe can be found at our web site at www.joe.com.

About Haskell
Haskell is one of America's leading integrated, single-source, design-build firms practicing in the general building and civil infrastructure markets. The company has annual revenues of more than $700 million with offices in the United States and Mexico. More information can be found at www.haskell.com.

About TranSystems
TranSystems' approximately 1,100 professionals in 47 offices throughout the U.S. provide architecture, engineering and planning; management and supply chain consulting; real estate consulting; and security to all sectors of the transportation industry. To access current and historical information, visit TranSystems' web site at www.transystems.com.

kurt · 06-15-2009, 01:13 PM

Construction Update: 6/11/2009

by NewPFN on June 15, 2009
Contract 1: Heavy Civil and Airfield Lighting
Approximately 86% of the contract work is complete.

8400’ of Runway 16-34 is 100% complete. (Awaiting final approval for 10,000’)
Seeding and mulching continuing on the Main Access Road.
Sub-grade being placed on taxiways in the General Aviation area.
Stabilization of the Perimeter Road is ongoing.
Sand being installed in the bottom of Pond C.

Contract 2: Terminal Building, Air Traffic Control Tower and Support Buildings
Approximately 33% of contract work is complete with 41% of contract time utilized.
Terminal

Completing structural steel sequence 6-13.
Continue with metal framing of exterior walls in Area A 1st and 2nd level.
Completing roof decking in Area’s A and B and partial in C.
Began the excavations for the pedestrian bridge from Terminal to Terminal Parking.
Began fire sprinkler install at Area A (baggage reclaim).

Air Traffic Control Tower

Completed concrete pour on shaft walls level 5.

Air Maintenance Facility, ,Air Maintenance Shed, Air Cargo Facility

Continuing metal stud walls.

Rental Car Facility:

Completing installation of settling tanks for Car Wash.

Public Safety Building:

Began installation of CMU walls.

Manpower:

The average man power on site for Contract 2 per day is 105 people based on a five day work week.
Approximately 17 people work on Saturday.

Contract 3: Utility Contract
Approximately 38% of contract work is complete with 40% of contract time utilized.
Main Access Road

3W2” Power Distribution Duct Bank is 87.5% complete: Working on final tie-in underway & transformer pads.

Street light duct work is 87% complete; wire is being pulled.

6W4” Power Distribution Duct Bank is 87.5% complete.

Joyner Road

24” water main is 98% complete.

GA Access Road

30” water main is 80% complete.

12” water main is 73% complete.

Lift Station

Station is 35% complete; plumbing is being installed.

Force Main on CR 388

Work is complete.

Fuel Farm

Work is 2% complete; site work is ongoing and the grounding system is being installed.

Booster Station

Site work is underway.

Contract 4: Landscaping Contract

Notice to proceed issued on June 8, 2009.

SHELLY · 06-15-2009, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurt

THE ST. JOE COMPANY (NYSE: JOE) ANNOUNCES MASTERPLANNING AGREEMENTS WITH HASKELL AND TRANSYSTEMS

...I see by the headlines that JOE is approaching their quarterly financial report.

.

kurt · 06-18-2009, 04:06 PM

kurt · 06-18-2009, 04:07 PM

Coastal Vision 3000 chairman stresses unity - The News Herald

Quote:

The man Okaloosa County commissioners believe went to Washington, D.C., to campaign for the closure of the Northwest Florida Regional Airport is still on the board of directors at Coastal Vision 3000.

But the chairman of that regional board, which was formed to promote all of Northwest Florida, told commissioners Tuesday that it won't happen again.

"I can assure you if anybody on the board does not adhere to the principles that I just spoke about, we would address that," said Davage "Buddy" Runnels, chairman of Coastal Vision 3000.

While meeting with area congressmen in Washington in February, Okaloosa officials learned that four supporters of the Panama City-Bay County International Airport now being built had met with lawmakers earlier to seek support for closing Northwest Florida Regional based on legal grounds with the Air Force.

One of the four people who reportedly met with the lawmakers was Jerry Ray, senior vice president of St. Joe Co. and a board member of Coastal Vision 3000.

St. Joe donated 4,000 acres for the Panama City-Bay County International Airport.

County commissioners sent a letter to Runnels after the controversy broke, asking that Ray be removed from the board. Runnels confirmed at Tuesday's meeting that Ray is still on the board, but commissioners did not press the issue.

Runnels also did not address the recent controversy directly. Instead, he talked about moving forward.

"I want us to focus on things that unite us to work together to succeed, not divide us," Runnels said.

According to Okaloosa officials, the three other people who petitioned for Northwest Florida Regional Airport's closure were Panama City attorney William Harrison; Brian Yablonski, the vice president of public affairs for St. Joe Co.; and Lisa Walters, a Panama City attorney and chairwoman of the Bay County Economic Development Alliance.

SHELLY · 06-18-2009, 07:36 PM

This morning the CEO of Southwest Airlines, Gary Kelly, rang the opening bell at the NYSE to celebrate the airline's 38th anniversary. During his interview with a CNBC talking head, he mentioned that Southwest was extending service to LaGuardia in NYC and Logan in Boston. He said his airline needed to cut back on the number of flights serviced in other areas in order to provide this new service because they couldn't afford to take on any more costs. Surprisingly, he made no mention of opening up full service to a new hub at THE™ Beach Airport.

Busta Hustle · 06-19-2009, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHELLY

This morning the CEO of Southwest Airlines, Gary Kelly, rang the opening bell at the NYSE to celebrate the airline's 38th anniversary. During his interview with a CNBC talking head, he mentioned that Southwest was extending service to LaGuardia in NYC and Logan in Boston. He said his airline needed to cut back on the number of flights serviced in other areas in order to provide this new service because they couldn't afford to take on any more costs. Surprisingly, he made no mention of opening up full service to a new hub at THE™ Beach Airport.

That play is a year away. No need to get other interested competitors (Greyhound/trailways) an opportunity to horn in on your future pots.

And you think a measly 1/2 cent bed tax increase will get them here?