Panama City Beach OKs exclusive negotiating agreement for development of Russell-Fields Pier

PANAMA CITY BEACH — Local leaders have moved forward with revamping the Russell-Fields Pier and establishing an area that could someday be known as the "downtown" of Panama City Beach.

The Panama City Beach City Council recently approved an exclusive negotiating agreement with the Pender Development Group — also referred to as Coastal Parasail and the Russell-Fields Pier Development Group — for the redevelopment of the city-owned property surrounding the pier.

The meeting's agenda notes that Pender Development Group consists of Adris Pender, current tenant of Pier Park beach concession area; Will Lark, owner and operator of Shipwreck Island Water Park; Cooper Harrison, former owner of Propolis LLC; Joe Winkeler, real estate developer and owner representative for the new Suzuki Marine Technical Center in Panama City; Mark Burnham, operations manager for A&W of PCB LLC; and William Harrison, a Panama City Beach resident who has been in business in Panama City since 1988.

"The first part of this agreement (allows) Coastal Parasails ... to continue to operate the buildings (at the pier) until the end of the season," City Manager Drew Whitman said during the meeting. "It also puts a timeframe on the negations where they have to come back by Memorial Day with some kind of financial analysis (and) design."

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Although a design is not finalized, Harrison presented a rough outline for the property during a City Council meeting in December that called for three-phases of development.

Past reports state the first phase would install a synthetic turf floor covered by a removable shaded structure. An east-facing stage also would be constructed, with an oversized outdoor TV installed.

The west side of the existing boardwalk would be extended and used for a dog-washing station. The sidewalk along the south side of Front Beach Road would be widened and the crosswalk upgraded.

Plans for the second phase are for a fenced-in dog park to be built near the new dog-washing station, along with an expansion of the deck behind the existing Hook'd Pier Bar and Grill.

Phase three would remove and replace the current public restrooms, Hook'd Pier Bar and Grill and Half Hitch Tackle Shop. A new restaurant boasting a roof-top deck and lounge also would be built.

Phase three also calls for upgrades to the dog park, the relocation of the pier entrance and the construction of a splash pad for children.

However, these plans could be completely different by the time a formal design is approved by the council.

The meeting's agenda states exclusive negotiation with Pender Development Group will expire Feb. 11, 2023, and Whitman also noted that both the city and Pender can pull out of the agreement at any time before then.

"The (agreement) allows the city to walk away at any time if we don't think it's good for our residents, the public and our visitors," he said. "The Pender Group (also) can walk away at any time. Right now, the responsibility is on their side. They're the ones investing all the money.

"This gives us a one-year negotiation, (and) if it doesn't work out for either side, the pier stays like it is unless we put (the project) back our (for bids)."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City Beach moves ahead with Russell-Fields Pier redevelopment