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Seaside Commercial District: Updates Summer 2020

Teresa avatar
SoWal Guide
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Seaside News
April 18, 2020
Seaside | Seaside Commercial District will remain closed

Seaside Commercial District will remain closed
Posted on APR 18, 2020 in COVID-19



Photo Courtesy of Kurt Lischka, Moon Creek Studios

April 18, 2020

Seaside, Fla. – Today, Seaside Community Development Corp. (SCDC) announced to Seaside Merchants that the Commercial District will remain closed after April 30, 2020. In a letter written to key stakeholders below, SCDC states they will work as a community to create milestones to reopen, assuring health and safety remain their priority. The letter concluded with naming task members and a call to action for each merchant to reach out to share ideas and concerns before the collaborative meeting is initiated.


Hello Seaside Merchants,

As we peek into the weeks ahead there is truly only one thing we know for certain, we must put health and safety first as a community. As many of you know, we formed a Mitigation Team due to the Covid-19 Crisis. Our first order of business was education ultimately resulting in the formal closure of Seaside Commercial. Since then, the Mitigation Team has been meeting remotely almost daily, cycling through crisis management tasks.

The Seaside Commercial District is the heart and soul of our town. While travel bans may soon be lifted, the commercial district is not opening at the end of April. We set April 30 as a future date to review as the situation dictated. The date of reopening is not yet clear, and that is why we would like to invite input from our merchant community.

We have created a task team comprised of merchants to meet with SCDC’ Mitigation Team early next week. We will discuss measures SCDC is thinking about to keep health and safety first when we do reopen. This task team will help us examine the plan and contribute invaluable insight. We anticipate this collaboration will result in guidelines for all merchants to create your own plan that works for the reopening of your business. We recognize that every merchant has unique challenges to address. Fundamentally, you know your business will ‘look’ different as we gradually reopen. By creating milestones as a community, we will remain on purpose and reopen our beloved town together.

More information to follow.
Seaside | Seaside Commercial District will remain closed

Replies

94
elgordoboy avatar
Beach Fanatic
#27
I believe this particular issue has caused you to become unhinged. Perhaps after the 29th you can begin making a recovery. Best of luck to you sir.
Dawn avatar
Beach Fanatic
#28
There are people in the world who are extremely selfish. They care nothing about others, only about themselves. They are easy to spot these days. They support reopening fully and wouldn't wear a mask if their life depended on it. Too dumb too understand it does.
UofL avatar
Beach Fanatic
#29
There are people in the world who are extremely selfish. They care nothing about others, only about themselves. They are easy to spot these days. They support reopening fully and wouldn't wear a mask if their life depended on it. Too dumb too understand it does.

Hi, I was very upset about people not wearing masks, but I'm trying to assume that some are those that have asthma & other breathing problems that the masks are almost impossible for them to wear. Also, there are folks who suffered abuse who feel like they are suffocating & reliving terrible episode in their lives. (Read this in our home newspaper or tv news, so that was something for me to learn and appreciate.) If these people are social distancing then I remain calm. I understand. It's because of those who refuse to wear mask AND refuse to social distance that the rest of us will continue to restrict our public appearances. Food to go. Early morning shopping. Exercising. We continue to be a very divided country. First 45 and reaction to and now the virus and reaction to. Challenging times. Ellen
Beach Lover
#30
There are people in the world who are extremely selfish. They care nothing about others, only about themselves. They are easy to spot these days. They support reopening fully and wouldn't wear a mask if their life depended on it. Too dumb too understand it does.
Easy to see you've never made a payroll, "Karen". Hide and wait to die. Most of us are getting back to living.
PoppaJ avatar
SoWal Insider
#31
Easy to see you've never made a payroll, "Karen". Hide and wait to die. Most of us are getting back to living.
How is following guidelines by wearing a mask and social distancing hiding and waiting to die?
Teresa avatar
SoWal GuideAuthor
#32
Easy to see you've never made a payroll, "Karen". Hide and wait to die. Most of us are getting back to living.
We're entering a brand new normal here and all around the world.
mrs.rocket avatar
Beach Lover
#33
Granted it’s been about ten or twelve years since I was last super active on this site, but I don’t recall members being so vitriolic with each other and all the name calling in threads. Is this a new thing?
Beach Fanatic
#34
Granted it’s been about ten or twelve years since I was last super active on this site, but I don’t recall members being so vitriolic with each other and all the name calling in threads. Is this a new thing?
A lot has changed in the world in the last decade. Plus People under stress. Newbies who don't understand netiquette or that this site is nicer than Facebook. Trump fans.
jodiFL avatar
Beach Fanatic
#35
Granted it’s been about ten or twelve years since I was last super active on this site, but I don’t recall members being so vitriolic with each other and all the name calling in threads. Is this a new thing?
Its sad but its is also the way alot of people now living in the area are. They brought their rudeness and disregard for others with them.
Lake View Too avatar
SoWal Insider
#36
It's overpopulation. Period. On the Earth and in SoWal. My beliefs about God fluxuate like the tide, but there is a theory, however far-fetched, that the Whole Earth is a being, and if this being was feeling so severely threatened by a "virus" who goes by the name of "human beings", that Whole Earth being ( I believe they call it Gaia, or something like that) would produce an anti-body that would look and act a whole lot like Covid-19. It kills a lot of people, and it stops mass pollution in dramatic ways. Maybe it's the Whole Earth telling us something.

Edited

Leader of the Banned avatar
Beach Fanatic
#37
Easy to see you've never made a payroll, "Karen". Hide and wait to die. Most of us are getting back to living.

The typical child navigates the world better than you do.
Teresa avatar
SoWal GuideAuthor
#38
Granted it’s been about ten or twelve years since I was last super active on this site, but I don’t recall members being so vitriolic with each other and all the name calling in threads. Is this a new thing?
Kind of normal for an election year but a pandemic on top of it has been very challenging for some to engage in a thoughtful way. I think most of us want to be kind though. We are all in this together.
Kurt avatar
Admin
#391
Seaside town center beach access will NOT open until May 29.

200320-seaside-004-sowal-2000.jpg
Beach Comber
#40
First post in a long time (been so long i couldn't recover my username\password). No problem. Not sure this info goes here, but i thought i would share it and see if anyone has ran across this.

Friends of friends rented a place in the commercial district of Seaside starting this weekend. One of those condos above the retail stores as i am told. They found out that they can't get their armband beach passes until next Friday when the commercial district actually re-opens. Supposedly the family has called up the chain to the Town Council and still can't get satisfaction.

Anyone heard anything like this or am i possibly hearing the story wrong (third hand at least)? I may be hearing things completely wrong, but this is what i know.

BTW, love the 30A area and have been coming since 2002 every year. Spent many years in Seaside and have moved on to other areas along 30A to explore. I frequent this site often for info and to get a re-fresher of the beautiful area some of y'all call home. Or second home.
Truman avatar
Beach Fanatic
#41
First post in a long time (been so long i couldn't recover my username\password). No problem. Not sure this info goes here, but i thought i would share it and see if anyone has ran across this.

Friends of friends rented a place in the commercial district of Seaside starting this weekend. One of those condos above the retail stores as i am told. They found out that they can't get their armband beach passes until next Friday when the commercial district actually re-opens. Supposedly the family has called up the chain to the Town Council and still can't get satisfaction.

Anyone heard anything like this or am i possibly hearing the story wrong (third hand at least)? I may be hearing things completely wrong, but this is what i know.

BTW, love the 30A area and have been coming since 2002 every year. Spent many years in Seaside and have moved on to other areas along 30A to explore. I frequent this site often for info and to get a re-fresher of the beautiful area some of y'all call home. Or second home.
Welcome back. See the post above yours.

And also Seaside | Seaside Commercial Beach Access

As our beach access reopens on May 29th, we have asked Cabana Man, who has 34 years of beach service to our locals and visitors, to manage our beach. They will provide two service levels. Cabana Man Service will provide chair sets and umbrellas, and Club Cabana will provide not only chairs sets and umbrellas but offer food and beverage service from Seaside restaurants. Beach access will be provided to the public with these services offered exclusively. Personal chairs, umbrellas, tents and coolers will not be permitted to be taken on the beach.

An attendant will greet you at Coleman Pavilion (the obelisk), advance reservations will be required, and an occupancy limit will apply. All chair sets will be placed at least 6 ft. apart with an emphasis on social distancing. Cabana Man’s professional team of beach attendants have cleaning and disinfecting protocols in place to manage cleanliness of all equipment.

Contact Cabana Man’s website cabanaman.com to reserve your beach experience this summer.
Beach Comber
#42
Am I assuming correctly that guests staying in the commercial district in the condos, which i know the shops are closed, aren't allowed beach armbands to use say at the Pensacola access or any of the other beach accesses? It's been a while since we've been to Seaside, but I didn't think you had to necessarily use the beach access closest to the street you were staying on.
sleepswithdogs avatar
Beach Comber
#43
Welcome back. See the post above yours.

And also Seaside | Seaside Commercial Beach Access

As our beach access reopens on May 29th, we have asked Cabana Man, who has 34 years of beach service to our locals and visitors, to manage our beach. They will provide two service levels. Cabana Man Service will provide chair sets and umbrellas, and Club Cabana will provide not only chairs sets and umbrellas but offer food and beverage service from Seaside restaurants. Beach access will be provided to the public with these services offered exclusively. Personal chairs, umbrellas, tents and coolers will not be permitted to be taken on the beach.

An attendant will greet you at Coleman Pavilion (the obelisk), advance reservations will be required, and an occupancy limit will apply. All chair sets will be placed at least 6 ft. apart with an emphasis on social distancing. Cabana Man’s professional team of beach attendants have cleaning and disinfecting protocols in place to manage cleanliness of all equipment.

Contact Cabana Man’s website cabanaman.com to reserve your beach experience this summer.
So let me get this straight.... Seaside has no problem renting ALL of their properties to full capacity—bringing in their rental revenue — ok got it— BUT they are going to limit how many of their guests they’ve charged an arm/ leg for “The Seaside Experience” can go to the beach? Am I reading this right??? Haven’t had my coffee so surely I’m misunderstanding.....
jodiFL avatar
Beach Fanatic
#44
So let me get this straight.... Seaside has no problem renting ALL of their properties to full capacity—bringing in their rental revenue — ok got it— BUT they are going to limit how many of their guests they’ve charged an arm/ leg for “The Seaside Experience” can go to the beach? Am I reading this right??? Haven’t had my coffee so surely I’m misunderstanding.....
Pretty sure you read that correctly. They will have to limit the number of setups to ensure the 6ft. rule. And from the previous posts they didnt make it clear that there is NO beach access this week until the 29th.
Truman avatar
Beach Fanatic
#45
Am I assuming correctly that guests staying in the commercial district in the condos, which i know the shops are closed, aren't allowed beach armbands to use say at the Pensacola access or any of the other beach accesses? It's been a while since we've been to Seaside, but I didn't think you had to necessarily use the beach access closest to the street you were staying on.
Reservations are required. Contact Cabana Man - Club Cabana Man

Every Pavilion is restricted exceptf or Coleman, George’s Gorge, and Club Cabana Man-Restricted Pavilions require an Access/Promo Code, not for a discount;rather, permission to rent chairs in the restricted areas reserved for “Guests Only”-If you do not have the code, we are not permitted to give it to you, you must call the property management company you used for your rental or the Seaside Town Council to receive

COVID-19 POLICY - Social Distancing will be observed and will take priority over front/back row confirmations. Town Center (Georges Gorge, Coleman, and Club Cabnaman) is reservation only and while the public is welcome, you must have a chair rental to use the beach - this is to provide a safe environment by maintaining an occupancy limit for social distancing (1 chair per person in the Commercial Area (Town Center)). Personal chairs, umbrellas, tents, and coolers other than personal sized coolers are not permitted in Town Center. All advance Reservations are taken online (Access Code Required for certain Pavilions). For any questions, issues with availability, or selection, feel free to email us (info@cabanaman.com).
jodiFL avatar
Beach Fanatic
#46
Reservations are required. Contact Cabana Man - Club Cabana Man

Every Pavilion is restricted exceptf or Coleman, George’s Gorge, and Club Cabana Man-Restricted Pavilions require an Access/Promo Code, not for a discount;rather, permission to rent chairs in the restricted areas reserved for “Guests Only”-If you do not have the code, we are not permitted to give it to you, you must call the property management company you used for your rental or the Seaside Town Council to receive

COVID-19 POLICY - Social Distancing will be observed and will take priority over front/back row confirmations. Town Center (Georges Gorge, Coleman, and Club Cabnaman) is reservation only and while the public is welcome, you must have a chair rental to use the beach - this is to provide a safe environment by maintaining an occupancy limit for social distancing (1 chair per person in the Commercial Area (Town Center)). Personal chairs, umbrellas, tents, and coolers other than personal sized coolers are not permitted in Town Center. All advance Reservations are taken online (Access Code Required for certain Pavilions). For any questions, issues with availability, or selection, feel free to email us (info@cabanaman.com).
Am I correct in saying that there is NO access until the 29th. Everything I have read says that and it seems like the reservations with Cabana Man dont start until then.
Mike Jones avatar
Beach Fanatic
#47
So let me get this straight.... Seaside has no problem renting ALL of their properties to full capacity—bringing in their rental revenue — ok got it— BUT they are going to limit how many of their guests they’ve charged an arm/ leg for “The Seaside Experience” can go to the beach? Am I reading this right??? Haven’t had my coffee so surely I’m misunderstanding.....
Seaside does not own or manage rentals. Seaside Development Corporation (Robert & Daryl Davis) owns most of the town center and leases to merchants, who have an association. Ruskin Place has their own association as does most every street marked by a pavilion. There is also a Seaside Town Council and Seaside Homeowners Association.

It is all very confusing, contentious and political, with various lawsuits usually happening at any given time.
Beach Fanatic
#48
Am I correct in saying that there is NO access until the 29th. Everything I have read says that and it seems like the reservations with Cabana Man dont start until then.
Only the Seaside commercial accesses in town center are closed until May 29.
Beach Comber
#49
My thought as i've watched this unfold, is the beach accesses at the end of each street (Pensacola, East Ruskin, etc) are open and the Cabana folks are allowed to rent chairs. The beach accesses within the commercial area (Coleman, Seaside) were closed as part of the commercial area being closed.

That changes on the 29th when the commercial district re-opens along with the now closed commercial beach accesses. Then, the (very restrictive) policy of basically VIP access from the commercial district would open with the services as described above.

Are we saying that every beach access at the end of the streets is closed in conjunction with the commercial district being closed? You have got to be freaking kidding me? Absolutely no where, is that plainly explained as far as i can find. Course that way be the plan.....

I emailed Seaside when the VIP policy came out and asked if that was just for the commercial district or does that policy cover every beach access. No reply of course.

I almost booked a house this morning for next week but if this scenario of all accesses closed is true, that's a 'no' from me now....
sleepswithdogs avatar
Beach Comber
#50
My thought as i've watched this unfold, is the beach accesses at the end of each street (Pensacola, East Ruskin, etc) are open and the Cabana folks are allowed to rent chairs. The beach accesses within the commercial area (Coleman, Seaside) were closed as part of the commercial area being closed.
Well I’m completely aggravated as well

That changes on the 29th when the commercial district re-opens along with the now closed commercial beach accesses. Then, the (very restrictive) policy of basically VIP access from the commercial district would open with the services as described above.

Are we saying that every beach access at the end of the streets is closed in conjunction with the commercial district being closed? You have got to be freaking kidding me? Absolutely no where, is that plainly explained as far as i can find. Course that way be the plan.....

I emailed Seaside when the VIP policy came out and asked if that was just for the commercial district or does that policy cover every beach access. No reply of course.

I almost booked a house this morning for next week but if this scenario of all accesses closed is true, that's a 'no' from me now....
My thought as i've watched this unfold, is the beach accesses at the end of each street (Pensacola, East Ruskin, etc) are open and the Cabana folks are allowed to rent chairs. The beach accesses within the commercial area (Coleman, Seaside) were closed as part of the commercial area being closed.

That changes on the 29th when the commercial district re-opens along with the now closed commercial beach accesses. Then, the (very restrictive) policy of basically VIP access from the commercial district would open with the services as described above.

Are we saying that every beach access at the end of the streets is closed in conjunction with the commercial district being closed? You have got to be freaking kidding me? Absolutely no where, is that plainly explained as far as i can find. Course that way be the plan.....

I emailed Seaside when the VIP policy came out and asked if that was just for the commercial district or does that policy cover every beach access. No reply of course.

I almost booked a house this morning for next week but if this scenario of all accesses closed is true, that's a 'no' from me now....
Our place rented last year for 2020 4th of July so we decided “no problem” we’ll go next door, experience Seaside....My cc was charged for the balance a few days ago— I have no problem w that... BUT I do have some issues with Seaside Homeowner’s Collection not communicating these changes in writing with their “guests”. I can promise u not all of their guests are on this forum and are going to show up to an unwelcome surprise. Just MHO but this is seems egregiously greedy on their part. Charging me to rent is one thing... fine with that...the fees for the chairs? Outrageous... but ok, it’s Seaside I expected it.... but to tell me I can’t come to the beach without renting a chair and that’s IF I rent one in time?? Shady, shady, shady...... shame on you Seaside. I want my money back.
UofL avatar
Beach Fanatic
#51
B4 the virus, anyone could use the Coleman pavilion access (or the public beach access with parking, between Seaside & Watercolor). There has been a code for the 'street' pavilion bathrooms for years - each one different, then a few years ago, the pavilions were gated - but the same code for entrance to all. Guests/residents have been allowed footage on either side of the steps to set up their own chairs but the cabana boys got to set up their stuff, whether rented or not. (The open area might be allowed because there are a few locals on each street.)

This part is confusing. I believe that unless you are on one of the streets - or near it - you have to use the Coleman pavilion. That's another reason for the crowds at the Coleman. And why it will be frustrating for future guests, especially those who have vacationed there before.

We were scheduled for May 8th but moved it to May 2021. Current conditions (easily) convinced us to move it more than a month ago. There really is no reason for us to visit 30A if we can't go to the beach.

Looks like we can use our August date at Seaside. We ALWAYS bring our essentials with us. Seldom buying anything at Publix other than local beer. We go to Modica a lot and eat out.

Ellen

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