by Jennifer Vigil, President/CEO, Destination Panama City
F
or the last three years, Panama City has been the largest coastal city in Florida with no waterfront lodging. However, that will change in 2022 with the opening of
a new hotel from The St. Joe Company in Panama City’s downtown waterfront district. The company and the city recently executed a land lease agreement on a portion of the marina, with preconstruction work on the project happening now, and plans to break ground in the second quarter of 2021. The sprawling hotel promises to be a place for retreat and rejuvenation, offering the potential for weekend getaways for regional and local couples and families, as well as destination weddings. A public promenade along the water’s edge will become a destination for a stunning sunset stroll, while an adjacent restaurant will offer indoor and outdoor dining. Public boat docks and a paddleboard launch will encourage visitors to take advantage of St. Andrew Bay’s calm waters. An event lawn will offer a venue for families and friends to gather for a fun and casual afternoon or evening spent discovering the richness of Panama City’s arts and culture.
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nity as a whole. The project is a collaborative effort; The St. Joe Company held several public events to gather feedback and share conceptual plans with local residents. The company’s philosophy is that successful downtowns occur one step at a time, with each step propelling the next step. “We are making this investment in downtown Panama City with the anticipation that it will be a catalyst for future investments over time,” says Jorge Gonzalez, president and CEO for The St. Joe Company. “It will make downtown Panama City a vibrant destination to live, work and visit.” This is a major moment in the redevelopment story of Panama City, which survived Hurricane Michael in 2018 and, for much of 2020, has been impacted by the global pandemic. That redevelopment story begins well before Hurricane Michael, about a decade ago, when businesses were leaving Panama City.
Years in the Making Almost ten years ago, Bay County Chamber of Commerce Presi-
The five-story hotel and resturant, named Hotel Indigo®, is antici-
dent Carol Roberts noticed a disconcerting trend: Businesses were
pated to have a ripple effect on Panama City’s waterfront. It’s part
migrating out of Panama City. Knowing the city’s economic vitality
of a larger vision for a vibrant downtown with a mix of residents,
was at stake, the Chamber of Commerce dedicated itself to finding
shoppers, businesses and visitors, which will benefit the commu-
the cause and the solution. Their research revealed that both
BAY B I Z / FA L L 2020
