COVER STORY

by Jennifer Vigil, President/CEO, Destination Panama City

For the last three years, Panama City has been the larg- nity as a whole. The project is a collaborative effort; The St. Joe est coastal city in Florida with no waterfront lodging. Company held several public events to gather feedback and share However, that will change in 2022 with the opening of conceptual plans with local residents. a new hotel from The St. Joe Company in Panama City’s downtown waterfront district. The company and the city recently executed The company’s philosophy is that successful downtowns occur a land lease agreement on a portion of the marina, with precon- one step at a time, with each step propelling the next step. struction work on the project happening now, and plans to break ground in the second quarter of 2021. “We are making this investment in downtown Panama City with the anticipation that it will be a catalyst for future investments

The sprawling hotel promises to be a place for retreat and rejuve- over time,” says Jorge Gonzalez, president and CEO for The St. Joe nation, offering the potential for weekend getaways for regional Company. “It will make downtown Panama City a vibrant destinaand local couples and families, as well as destination weddings. A tion to live, work and visit.” public promenade along the water’s edge will become a destiThis is a major moment in the redevelopment story of Panama nation for a stunning sunset stroll, while an adjacent restaurant City, which survived Hurricane Michael in 2018 and, for much of will offer indoor and outdoor dining. Public boat docks and a 2020, has been impacted by the global pandemic. That redeveloppaddleboard launch will encourage visitors to take advantage of ment story begins well before Hurricane Michael, about a decade

St. Andrew Bay’s calm waters. An event lawn will offer a venue for ago, when businesses were leaving Panama City. families and friends to gather for a fun and casual afternoon or evening spent discovering the richness of Panama City’s arts and Years in the Makingculture. 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