PANAMA CITY − More commercial development is around the corner for one of the area’s most popular neighborhoods.
In a meeting on March 24, Panama City commissioners unanimously approved a proposal for the SweetBay Town Center Phase 3 Conceptual Plan. The plan aims to use property located at 928 Promenade St. to establish the infrastructure needed to support a third phase of commercial developments to the area.
Commissioner Brian Grainger said the property might be used for a variety of commercial opportunities, possibly including a medical provider and financial service provider.
“It’s just the first portion of the rest that’s to come,” Grainger said. “To have a master-planned community like this in our city is highly beneficial. There’s all kind of economic benefits. … There’s plans in place for more amenities and more commercial to come in.
“It’s a large area of growth.”
SweetBay is the former location of the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, which relocated to its current location north of Panama City Beach in about 2010.
The community’s website notes SweetBay “is a product of the regional success” of other master-planned communities in the nearby area, including Rosemary Beach and Alys Beach in neighboring Walton County.
“Just as Rosemary Beach would never have existed were it not for foundation laid by those before it, SweetBay is very much a product of the regional success of those beachside communities,” the website reads. “SweetBay is quickly becoming a community for all ages, and most importantly a community accessible to all. … SweetBay offers a unique opportunity to lay roots and raise a family or just relax from the hustle of neighboring beach towns.”
According to the meeting’s agenda, the SweetBay Town Center Phase 3 development is slated to have three commercial uses, supporting access roads, parking, drainage, utilities and a stormwater management facility.
“You don’t have to live in SweetBay in order to see it’s good for a lot of folks,” Grainger said.
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City OKs plan for more SweetBay commercial developments
Reporting by Nathan Cobb, Panama City News Herald / The News Herald
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