PANAMA CITY BEACH − Local officials hope a temporary road closure will help ease congestion at a popular outdoor shopping mall on the Beach.
According to Councilman Michael Jarman, South Pier Park from from L.C. Hilton Drive to Front Beach Road will remain closed through Labor Day, as the city navigates its peak tourist season. Jarman noted the decision was made at the request of Simon Property Group, which owns and manages Pier Park.
Pier Park is an outlet mall on the west end of Panama City Beach.
“We did it at the behest of Simon Property,” Jarman said. “They came to us and requested that be extended, at which point the city manager got with the police department and verified everything was fine with doing that closure. … We made sure that they had contacted the store owners to inform them of that closure as well.
“I think it was just a preponderance of being safe.”
Pier Park’s website notes that it boasts more than 130 store, ranging from larger retailers, to smaller boutique shops, and restaurants.
“Pier park is such a huge part of the city becuase it’s such a thriving economic driver for the city,” Jarman said. “It’s a great location for people to go and shop. … The more shopping the better.”
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Part of South Pier Park Drive in PCB to remain closed through Labor Day
Reporting by Nathan Cobb, Panama City News Herald / The News Herald
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Nathan Cobb, Panama City News Herald | USA TODAY Network
