What’s Being Built Near Pier Park in Panama City Beach? 2026 Development Update

By Roger Rietsema, Realtor® | Allison James Estates & Homes

Updated Nov 13, 2026

Adds Galen College of Nursing, a Front Beach Road Segment 4.1 status update, Havenry, new places to eat and drink, and November 13, 2026, construction photos of the airport, Watersound West Bay Center, Ruby Tuesday, Hook’d, RaceTrac and Pier Park City Center. Construction photos shared November 8, 2026, plus earlier photo and research passes on October 18, 2026 (FSU Health hospital, ECP airport, Hook’d, Publix and Latitude) and October 15, 2026 (ECP airport award).

Panama City Beach is changing fast in 2026, and much of the action sits around Pier Park, up Highway 79 and out toward West Bay, with more moving near 30A and Inlet Beach too. I keep one rule throughout: announced is not approved, approved is not under construction, and under construction is not open.

New: my FBI Top 10 condo shortlist. Thinking about a rental condo while PCB grows? See the FBI Top 10 Panama City Beach condos for rental income for reported rental history, asking prices, HOA dues and an illustrative ROI breakdown. FBI means Future Best Investment; returns are not guaranteed.

On this page

• November 13, 2026 update
• New places to eat and drink
• November 8, 2026 update
• FSU Health hospital
• Pier Park: what’s open, what’s building, what’s next
• Project status at a glance
• Palmhaven
• Highway 79, FSU Health and West Bay
• What’s new near 30A and Inlet Beach
• Back Beach Road, Front Beach Road and pickleball
• ECP Airport
• Upcoming public meetings
• What this means if you’re buying
• Frequently asked questions
• Thinking about buying or selling
• How I research this and sources

November 13, 2026 Update

Here is what I added on November 13, 2026.

Galen College of Nursing. Galen announced a new Panama City Beach campus on September 22, 2026, at 200 Richard Jackson Blvd. The first term is set for January 2027, and the campus will start with a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program. (HCA Florida)

Front Beach Road CRA Segment 4.1. Design-build solicitation RFP #PCB26-51 is still under review. A review-committee meeting to discuss submittals was noticed for November 12, 2026, at 9 a.m. Central at City Hall, and another is set for Thursday, November 19, 2026, at 1 p.m. Central at City Hall. No award has been announced. (ECD, Nov. 12 notice; ECD, Nov. 19 notice; Florida Public Notices)

Havenry. Pulte's contract with St. Joe covers about 1,326 homesites across two new communities along Highway 388, and Havenry is one of them. Havenry is along Highway 388 east of State Road 79, near Watersound West Bay Center, with Pulte Homes and DiVosta working with St. Joe. Development of the first phase is anticipated in 2027, and Havenry's site says the community is coming in late 2027. (Havenry; RealtyWire)

New Places to Eat and Drink

These are recent openings, plus one Planning Board item that is still only a proposal.

Big Mama's Coastal Country Cooking is at 10071 Hutchison Blvd, in the old Applebee's building a few minutes from Pier Park, with a full bar. Local reporting says it opened August 31, 2026. (Big Mama's PCB; When You Think)

Panera Bread is at 11846 Panama City Beach Parkway. A Patch event listing advertised the grand opening for June 18, 2026. (Patch)

Costa Family McDonald's is at 11852 Panama City Beach Parkway, near Alf Coleman Road, and is open 24 hours a day. The grand opening was June 9, 2026, the family's 19th Florida location. (WJHG; Proffitt PR)

Sweet Brewnette is a coffee shop with a wine bar at 200 Navy Blvd, on the east end of Panama City Beach in front of the Navy base. WJHG reported on September 30, 2026, that the owner reopened here after Hurricane Helene destroyed the Madeira Beach shop. (WJHG; address listed at Restaurants10)

A new company, Fast Eddie's Bar and Grille, registered with the state in September at 6628 Thomas Drive, the former Kraken spot, where Kraken has posted a closing notice. No opening has been announced. (Sunbiz Daily; Kraken closing notice)

A proposed bar or lounge at 13125 Panama City Beach Parkway, Unit D. This is a conditional-use request for a bar / lounge of about 1,500 square feet in an existing building, on the November 12 Planning Board agenda. No business name has been announced, and no vote has been posted yet. (Planning Board agenda)

November 8, 2026 Update

Here is what the newest Pier Park-area construction photos show, and what local reporting covered between October 8 and November 8, 2026.

Ruby Tuesday, Pier Park Drive / Panama City Beach Parkway. Concrete-block walls are up, and wood roof framing continues. No opening date has been announced.

Hook’d Pier Bar & Grill rebuild. Scaffolding still wraps the rebuild across from Russell-Fields Pier. Culpepper construction fencing is in place, and the roof and lookout tower are up. An older spring 2026 reopen target from 2025 reporting should not be treated as current. No reopening date has been announced.

Local reporting, October 8 through November 8, 2026

• FSU Health hospital: WJHG reported November 4, 2026 that the hospital at 1002 N Arnold Rd, at State Road 79 and Philip Griffitts Sr. Parkway, a short drive from Pier Park, is under construction, will operate under FSU Health in partnership with Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, targets a 2028 opening, and plans up to 180 beds in the first phase on an 87-acre campus. A medical office building on the campus opened in 2024. (WJHG)
• Back Beach Road / U.S. 98: WJHG reported October 26, 2026 that Mandy Lane to Nautilus Street finished about a year ahead of schedule this past summer; Nautilus Street to Richard Jackson Boulevard targets late 2027; Richard Jackson Boulevard to the Hathaway Bridge targets 2030. FDOT described the program as about $169 million across three phases. Holiday lane restrictions were described as mostly overnight. (WJHG)
• Front Beach Road CRA Segment 4.1: Design-build solicitation RFP #PCB26-51. Emerald Coast Dispatch reported a review-committee discussion of submittals for November 12, 2026 at 9 a.m. Central at City Hall, based on a city notice posted November 2, 2026. (ECD) A separate city public meeting notice, reproduced November 5, 2026, sets another review-committee meeting for Thursday, November 19, 2026 at 1 p.m. Central at City Hall to discuss submittals. No award has been announced. (Notice text via NoticeRegistry; ECD)
• Shell Point Beach & Surf Club: SurfParkGuide’s October 11, 2026 update still reports that no public groundbreaking has been announced and treats 2027 as the developer’s stated goal rather than a set schedule. (SurfParkGuide)

FSU Health Hospital: Building Shell Nearly Done

Updated October 18, 2026

The new FSU Health hospital at 1002 N Arnold Rd, at Hwy 79 and Philip Griffitts Sr. Parkway, a short drive from Pier Park, is starting to look finished from the road. As of October 18, 2026, the outside walls and big glass sections are up, crews are still on scaffolding, and site work continues with excavators. FSU says it’s targeting a 2028 opening. WJHG reported the same 2028 target on November 4, 2026, and the up-to-180-bed first phase.

Updated November 13, 2026: When I went back to the campus at 1002 N Arnold Rd, a short drive from Pier Park, the front of the hospital, the tower and a long white wing were all farther along.

Pier Park: What’s Open, What’s Building, What’s Next

More is already open inside Pier Park than most people realize. Great Big Game Show, The Escape Game and Coastal Treasures Adventure Mining opened under one roof in late June / early July 2026. Local reporting called it the company’s 60th store and its only location combining all three concepts. Topgolf and Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show are operating attractions now, and that traffic supports more development around Pier Park City Center and Pier Park West.

Inside Simon Pier Park, a January 2026 report listed new openings including Buff City Soap, JD Sports, Jay Wade Cutz, The Bird & Brew Co. and Salon Blue Spa & Refillery, with HOTWORX, Cleopatra Ink, Häagen-Dazs and Hollister listed as coming in spring 2026. Hollister’s store locator now lists Pier Park. I’d still check the other “coming soon” names in person before treating them as open.

Pier Park City Center and Topgolf

Topgolf opened June 27, 2025, the first business at Pier Park City Center.

City Center is the next big piece east of the shopping district: nearly 80 acres St. Joe has planned for entertainment, restaurants, complementary retail and visitor accommodations. On its Q4 2025 earnings call (February 27, 2026), St. Joe said it had finalized a ground lease for a family-oriented surf park as the second major anchor and was planning the rest of the site, including possible infrastructure work in 2026. On the Q1 2026 call (April 30, 2026), management said surf-park lease payments would begin “relatively soon” and other users were under discussion. That’s lease and planning language, not a construction start. My November 2026 photos show a new road under construction next to Topgolf, with a new roundabout and drainage work. No opening date has been announced.

View the official Pier Park City Center page →

Shell Point Beach & Surf Club: Still “Coming 2027”

Shell Point is planned on roughly 10.5 acres next to Topgolf: a surf lagoon using Endless Surf’s ES36 technology, plus family recreation, pools, a clubhouse, a restaurant and other surf-club amenities. When Endless Surf announced the partnership on July 29, 2025, construction was marketed for early 2026 with a 2027 opening. As of SurfParkGuide’s October 11, 2026 update, that site still reports no public groundbreaking has been announced. The official project site still says “Coming 2027.” That is the developer’s goal, not a certainty.

Follow Shell Point’s official project website →

Bonny Read Run Park: Approved, Not Building Yet

This roughly 4.5-acre family attraction next to Pirates Voyage (World Choice Investments / Dolly Parton-affiliated; Pier Park Holdings LLC / WCI Holdings LLC) would have 18-hole mini golf, an arcade and electric go-karts. The Planning Board approved it in mid-June and City Council approved plans on July 9, 2026. WJHG noted it still has to finish the city’s development review before construction.

Ruby Tuesday: Under Construction, No Opening Date

Ruby Tuesday is going in on a 1.35-acre lot (JMK Development LLC) near the southeast corner of Pier Park Drive and Panama City Beach Parkway, next to LongHorn Steakhouse. The News Herald posted site-work photos dated July 14, 2026. Photos shared November 8, 2026 show the shell walls and roof framing farther along, with Reliant South signs still on the lot. My November 2026 photos show the shell walls coated, roof framing continuing, and the parking lot graded and curbed. No opening date has been announced.

Hook’d Pier Bar & Grill: Rebuild Continues

Hook’d, across from Russell-Fields Pier, is rebuilding after fire damage. In July 2025, WJHG reported a spring 2026 reopening target with a larger footprint, two floors and a bigger deck. My November 2026 photos show the scaffolding still up and crews working on the exterior and the lookout tower. Do not rely on the old spring 2026 estimate. No reopening date has been announced.

Culpepper Construction has publicly described the Pier Park beachfront restaurant project as about 7,657 square feet and two stories. City administrative-order listings include a Culpepper noise variance tied to Hook’d at Pier Park.

RaceTrac at PCB Parkway & Griffin Blvd

If you’ve driven the Parkway lately, you’ve seen the red-and-white canopy at Griffin Boulevard. That’s a new RaceTrac. My November 2026 photos show the fuel canopy finished, the store’s masonry exterior up, and site grading underway. No opening date has been announced.

RaceTrac Inc. took title to the 2.9-acre lot on the northwest corner (17752 Panama City Beach Pkwy) by warranty deed on June 25, 2026. It’s inside city limits and zoned M-1, where a gas station with a convenience store is approved by staff rather than at a Planning Board hearing. That’s why it never showed up on a public agenda, though the city’s February 26, 2026 Council packet did list “Race Trac” among Planning Division development orders. The store isn’t on RaceTrac’s locator yet.

Shipwreck Island: New Waterslide Approved

On August 27, City Council approved a new waterslide of about 50 feet on the east side of Shipwreck Island near Hutchison Boulevard. City leaders called it an approximately $5 million investment expected to add around 20 seasonal jobs. Construction and opening dates weren’t reported.

Apartments Near Pier Park

Not breaking news, but useful if you’re renting first: The Oasis at Seahaven is a brand-new community on Hills Road (32413) leasing studio, one- and two-bedroom units, and Pier Park Crossings is the established 360-unit St. Joe / Watersound Management community across from Pier Park.

Project Status at a Glance

Every project on this page, once, with its latest status. Published opening and completion dates can change.

Palmhaven: Approval Upheld

On September 10, 2026, City Council upheld the Planning Board’s approval of the Palmhaven Traditional Neighborhood Overlay District Master Plan: approximately 160 homes by Fischer Homes at 12610 Front Beach Road. The final agreement adds a multi-use trail, larger setbacks, outdoor showers and 40 public golf-cart parking spaces, and WJHG reported Fischer Homes is responsible for building and maintaining those amenities. Traffic, density and stormwater came up during review; the plan includes a large on-site stormwater retention area. The developer still needs a final development order before construction can begin.

Highway 79, FSU Health & West Bay

Highway 79 is becoming one of the most important long-term growth areas in Panama City Beach, with housing, medical, retail and airport-related growth all tied together along it.

FSU Health Panama City Beach Hospital

Construction is underway at 1002 N Arnold Rd, at the intersection of Highway 79 and Philip Griffitts Sr. Parkway on the 87-acre FSU Health Medical Campus, next to the TMH Physician Partners medical office building. The campus is a short drive from Pier Park. (FSU News, March 26, 2025; St. Joe Medical Campus) FSU says the first phase can hold up to 180 beds, with emergency medicine, general surgery and diagnostic imaging, and specialized service lines planned later. FSU’s official target is a 2028 opening. Some project material mentions earlier construction-completion milestones, but that isn’t necessarily when patients will be treated there.

My detailed guide: What FSU Health could mean for Panama City Beach real estate →

Publix at Watersound West Bay Center

This is no longer a rumor. St. Joe announced that development of the Publix has commenced: approximately 50,000 square feet with pharmacy, deli and bakery, an adjacent liquor store and about 11,000 square feet of inline commercial space. The larger center is planned for approximately 500,000 square feet. No official opening date yet.

On St. Joe's October 29, 2026, third-quarter earnings call, CEO Jorge Gonzalez said Watersound West Bay Center is planned for a minimum of 500,000 square feet, with 33,182 square feet existing and 69,134 square feet under construction, including a new Publix grocery store. (Motley Fool transcript of the Oct. 29, 2026, call)

Updated October 18, 2026: When I drove by on October 18, 2026, the Publix building next to Latitude Margaritaville had its block walls up and steel framing in place for the storefront, and the parking lot was paved.

Updated November 13, 2026: crews were setting the Watersound West Bay Center sign, which lists Publix, a drive-thru pharmacy and liquors. The Publix building near Latitude Margaritaville Watersound off Highway 79 was still under construction.

Havenry, Near Watersound West Bay Center

Pulte's contract with St. Joe covers about 1,326 homesites across two new communities along Highway 388, and Havenry is one of them. Havenry is along Highway 388 east of State Road 79, near Watersound West Bay Center, with Pulte Homes and DiVosta working with St. Joe. Development of the first phase is anticipated in 2027, and Havenry's site says the community is coming in late 2027. (Havenry; RealtyWire)

Latitude Margaritaville Watersound Phase Two

Minto, St. Joe and Margaritaville announced the expansion on September 17, 2026: approximately 3,500 more homes (about 7,200 total) on 3,565 acres along the Intracoastal Waterway, plus a second resort-style amenity center and new floor plans. Groundbreaking is projected for mid-2027. That is not a home-delivery or amenity-opening date. The sales center is at 9201 Highway 79, Panama City Beach, on the Highway 79 corridor north of the beach, a short drive from Pier Park and near the FSU Health site. (Latitude Margaritaville Watersound)

Read my Latitude Margaritaville Watersound guide →

Ward Creek and Otter Creek Preserve

North of the Parkway, Ward Creek’s Bayside, Breakwater and Salt Grass neighborhoods keep adding homes near Highway 79, West Bay, Latitude and the airport. With housing, health care, commercial space and airport jobs arriving, this area is building a real year-round base north of U.S. 98. Ward Creek new-construction guide → Further east near Ebro, Otter Creek Preserve was announced September 23, 2026, with waterfront homesites marketed as 3-acre dockable lots.

What’s New Near 30A & Inlet Beach

Watersound Town Center

In August, St. Joe announced that Anthropologie signed a lease for an approximately 9,000-square-foot store that will include Anthropologie Weddings. Johnnie-O is open. Construction has started on the new building that will house Anthropologie and tenants not yet announced, and another retail building is expected to break ground later in 2026. The center is about 170,000 square feet, reported as approximately 98% leased, with long-range plans for approximately 400,000. St. Joe also launched Watersound Weddings & Events (announced September 9). Its services are available now, and a storefront here is expected in early 2027.

Villas at Longleaf Park at Watersound Origins

Fischer Homes is marketing paired villas in Inlet Beach, with several quick move-in homes listed as under construction. It’s a good comparison if you like the east end of 30A but want lower-maintenance new construction north of Scenic 30A.

30A Roads and County Projects

• Western Lake Bridge: replacement actively under construction. Walton County’s August 21 advisory listed short daytime stoppages and overnight lane closures. Closures change weekly, so check before you drive.
• Dune Allen right-of-way: a September 21, 2026 workshop covered CR 30A from east of Hilltop Lane to west of Allen Loop West: parallel parking, drainage, curb and gutter, landscaping and a realigned multi-use path.
• Beach access and ordinances: the county is advancing Gulfview Heights beach-access design, soliciting beach-property appraisals and taking input on possible changes to its Waterways and Beach Activities Ordinance.

Back Beach Road, Front Beach Road & Pickleball

U.S. 98 / Back Beach Road: Mandy Lane to Nautilus Street has all six lanes open. WJHG’s October 26, 2026 report said that stretch wrapped nearly a year ahead of schedule. Nautilus to Richard Jackson Boulevard targets late 2027, and Richard Jackson to the Hathaway Bridge targets 2030. Expect traffic shifts and occasional night lane closures.

Front Beach Road CRA Segment 4.1: the city has an active design-build solicitation (RFP #PCB26-51), and it is still under review. A review-committee meeting to discuss submittals was noticed for November 12, 2026, at 9 a.m. Central at City Hall, and another is set for Thursday, November 19, 2026, at 1 p.m. Central at City Hall. No award has been announced. The city has also been acquiring 13500 and 13508 Front Beach Road in support of the segment near Hills Road.

Frank Brown Park pickleball: awarded. Covered and uncovered courts, a restroom, stormwater and utility work on about 1.5 acres at the south end of the park.

E-bikes: the updated city ordinance bans e-bikes on all Pier Park-area sidewalks and sets a 10 mph sidewalk limit elsewhere.

ECP Airport: One of the Biggest Growth Stories

In the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, readers voted Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) the No. 2 Best Resort Airport in the country, up from No. 4 in 2025. Only Sarasota Bradenton International (SRQ) finished ahead.

North Terminal: the approximately 80,000-square-foot expansion adds three gates, six airline baggage offices, four baggage-claim carousels, more seating and concessions, new accessible restrooms and an expanded, relocated TSA checkpoint. On September 10, 2026, City Council approved up to $200 million in airport-district bonds for the program, which also received an $8 million federal Airport Terminal Program grant. The News Herald reported September 14 that vertical construction had begun.

Updated October 18, 2026: When I drove by on October 18, 2026, the red steel frame for the North Terminal expansion was up, concrete walls were rising, and stacks of drainage and utility pipe were staged across the site.

Updated November 13, 2026: When I went back to Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport on November 13, 2026, a crawler crane was on site, the steel frame and concrete walls were still going up, and concrete utility structures were stacked in the yard. One view also shows a Southwest jet on the runway.

Passengers keep climbing (latest official report, July 2026):

350 acres north of the terminal: WJHG reported in August that the first phase is stormwater and drainage work before roads and clearing, plus reconfiguring a pond for more parking.

Restaurants and jobs: the board approved a new concessions deal with SSP America, bringing more local flavor including Sharky’s and Runaway Island, with sit-down and grab-and-go options rolled out over roughly two to three years. The News Herald also reported IAG Aero Group plans an approximately 120,000-square-foot engine MRO facility and Premier Aviation a two-bay narrow-body hangar. Executive Director Parker McClellan expects both to start construction in early 2027.

Upcoming Public Meetings

Some of the best information shows up first in agendas. Times are Central; check the official calendar before you go.

Panama City Beach calendar · Walton County calendar · ECP board meetings

What This Means If You’re Buying

Development doesn’t automatically make every property a better investment. The effect can vary by neighborhood, building, even which side of the road you’re on. Here’s what I look at:

1. Access beats distance. A condo that looks close to Pier Park or the hospital on a map may still mean a hard turn, a U-turn or a congested route.
2. Construction cuts both ways. New roads and shops help long term, but think about noise, lane shifts and work next door today.
3. Highway 79 is becoming year-round living. FSU Health, West Bay, Ward Creek, Latitude and the airport are creating a different kind of growth than the beachfront condo market.
4. 30A is growing north of Scenic 30A. Watersound Town Center, Watersound Origins and U.S. 98 development are widening the base serving Inlet Beach, Rosemary Beach, Seacrest and Alys Beach.
5. Never assume short-term rentals are allowed. Verify zoning, deed restrictions, condo documents, HOA rules and local registration for the specific property.

Panama City Beach investment condos → · PCB beachfront condos →

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s being built near Pier Park?

Near Pier Park, Topgolf and Pirates Voyage are already open, Ruby Tuesday and the Hook’d rebuild are under construction, a RaceTrac is going in at Panama City Beach Parkway and Griffin Boulevard, Bonny Read Run Park is approved, and Shell Point Beach & Surf Club is still planned. Pier Park City Center infrastructure work is also underway.

When was Pier Park built?

Pier Park opened in 2008 and is owned by Simon Property Group (850 Business Magazine).

Where is the new FSU Health hospital?

The new FSU Health hospital is at 1002 N Arnold Rd, at Highway 79 and Philip Griffitts Sr. Parkway, a short drive from Pier Park. Construction is underway, FSU’s official target is a 2028 opening, and the first phase is planned for up to 180 beds. (FSU News, March 26, 2025; St. Joe Medical Campus)

Is there a Costco in Panama City Beach?

Not yet. As of November 2026, Costco has not announced a Panama City Beach warehouse. It isn’t on Costco’s New Locations page or its Florida warehouse list, so I treat social-media claims as rumor.

Has Palmhaven been approved?

Yes. City Council upheld approval of the master plan on September 10, 2026. The developer still needs a final development order before construction can begin.

When will Shell Point Surf Club open?

The official site says Coming 2027. SurfParkGuide’s October 11, 2026 update still reports no public groundbreaking announced, so treat 2027 as a target, not a certainty.

Is Publix at Watersound West Bay Center confirmed?

Yes. St. Joe announced development of an approximately 50,000-square-foot Publix has commenced. No opening date has been announced.

What is happening at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport?

The North Terminal expansion is in vertical construction, the airport is preparing about 350 acres for future development, concessions are expanding, and aviation companies are planning new maintenance facilities. Readers also voted ECP the No. 2 Best Resort Airport in the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best awards.

Thinking About Buying or Selling in Panama City Beach or 30A?

If you want to know how one of these projects could affect a specific condo, neighborhood, vacation rental or future purchase, call me at 850-596-5844 or email [email protected].

Roger Rietsema, Realtor® Allison James Estates & Homes Panama City Beach & 30A, Florida

Contact Roger about Panama City Beach or 30A real estate →

How I Research This & Sources

I use my own site visits and photos, City of Panama City Beach agendas and bid records, Walton County notices, ECP board documents and passenger reports, FSU updates, developer announcements and reputable local reporting. Timelines change, and projects get redesigned, delayed or canceled. Before a real estate decision, verify the current development order, permits and recorded restrictions.

Added for the November 13, 2026 update

• HCA Florida: Galen College of Nursing coming soon (Sept. 22, 2026) - https://www.hcafloridahealthcare.com/about-us/newsroom/galen-college-of-nursing-coming-soon-to-the-heart-of-the-panhandle
• Havenry official site - https://havenrylife.com/
• RealtyWire: PulteGroup Florida Panhandle Division (Aug. 3, 2026) - https://realtywire.com/pultegroup-florida-panhandle-division-larza/
• Motley Fool transcript: St. Joe Q3 2026 earnings call (Oct. 29, 2026) - https://www.fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2026/10/29/st-joe-joe-q3-2026-earnings-call-transcript/
• Emerald Coast Dispatch and Florida Public Notices: Front Beach Road Segment 4.1 review meetings (linked in the November 13 update).
• Big Mama's PCB official site - https://eatbigmamas.com/
• When You Think: 2026 PCB restaurant openings, including the August 31, 2026, Big Mama's date - https://whenyouthink.com/blog/panama-city-beachs-new-places-to-eat-in-2026-line-back-beach-road
• Patch: Panera Bread grand opening listing, June 18, 2026, at 11846 Panama City Beach Parkway - https://patch.com/florida/panamacity-fl/calendar/event/20260618/4789752b-9260-439e-b4bf-490eaf987aa9/panera-bread-grand-opening-in-panama-city-beach-on-june-18
• WJHG: Costa Family McDonald's opens 19th Florida location (June 9, 2026) - https://www.wjhg.com/2026/06/10/costa-family-mcdonalds-opens-19th-florida-location-panama-city-beach/
• Proffitt PR: Costa Family McDonald's Alf Coleman location, 11852 Panama City Beach Parkway, rescheduled to June 9, 2026 - https://proffittpr.com/2026/05/15/costa-family-mcdonalds-reschedules-opening-of-alf-coleman-location-for-june-9-2026/
• WJHG: Sweet Brewnette reopens on Navy Boulevard after Hurricane Helene (Sept. 30, 2026) - https://www.wjhg.com/2026/10/01/coffee-shop-owner-rebuilds-after-losing-everything-hurricane-helene/
• Restaurants10 listing for Sweet Brewnette at 200 Navy Boulevard - https://www.restaurants10.org/US/Panama-City-Beach/442610652476868/Sweet-Brewnette
• Sunbiz Daily: FAST EDDIES BAR & GRILLE LLC filing, listing 6628 Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach - https://www.sunbizdaily.com/filings/L26000468460/fast-eddies-bar-grille-llc/
• Kraken PCB closing notice (6628 Thomas Drive) - https://krakenpcb.com/
• City of Panama City Beach Planning Board agenda, November 12, 2026, Item 6.B (conditional use for a bar / lounge at 13125 Panama City Beach Parkway, Unit D) - https://pcbgov.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=pcbgov_79a15595584a0c08d534dd13adecfa12.pdf&view=1

Added for the November 8, 2026 update

• WJHG: New FSU Health hospital under construction (Nov. 4, 2026) - https://www.wjhg.com/2026/11/05/new-fsu-health-hospital-under-construction-panama-city-beach/
• WJHG: Back Beach Road / U.S. 98 update (Oct. 26, 2026) - https://www.wjhg.com/2026/10/27/end-sight-back-beach-road-construction-headaches/
• Emerald Coast Dispatch: Front Beach Segment 4.1 review Nov. 12 (Nov. 2, 2026) - https://emeraldcoastdispatch.com/bay-county/2026/11/panama-city-beach-front-beach-road-review/
• Emerald Coast Dispatch: Front Beach Segment 4.1 review Nov. 19 notice (Nov. 5, 2026) - https://emeraldcoastdispatch.com/bay-county/2026/11/front-beach-road-segment-review-nov-19/
• City of Panama City Beach public meeting notice text for RFP #PCB26-51 review committee, Nov. 19, 2026 (reproduced via NoticeRegistry) - https://www.noticeregistry.com/florida/notice/bid-notice-panama-city-beach-11730198
• SurfParkGuide: Shell Point opening-date status (updated Oct. 11, 2026) - https://www.surfparkguide.com/blog/shell-point-surf-club-opening-date
• Culpepper Construction LinkedIn: Pier Park restaurant progress (Sep. 21, 2026) - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/culpepper-construction-company-inc_weareculpepper-pcb-pierpark-activity-7507889369236529152-2umg

Earlier Pier Park & City Center sources (retained)

• WJHG: triple attractions open at Pier Park (June 30, 2026)
• News Herald: gems, game show, escape rooms new to Pier Park (July 5, 2026)
• News Herald / NWF Daily News: Pier Park new stores (Jan. 30, 2026)
• St. Joe: Topgolf first to open at Pier Park City Center (July 1, 2025)
• St. Joe Q4 2025 earnings call transcript (Feb. 27, 2026)
• St. Joe Q1 2026 earnings call transcript (Apr. 30, 2026)
• Endless Surf: Shell Point partnership (July 29, 2025)
• WMBB: Dolly Parton-affiliated complex, Planning Board
• WJHG: Bonny Read City Council approval
• News Herald: Ruby Tuesday photo gallery (July 17, 2026)
• PCB Life: Two New Attractions for Pier Park (Aug. 1, 2026)
• WJHG: Hook’d rebuild (July 24, 2025)
• WJHG: Shipwreck Island waterslide approved

Palmhaven, Highway 79 & West Bay / 30A / Roads / ECP (retained)

• WJHG: Palmhaven approval upheld
• City of Panama City Beach: Sept. 10 Council highlights video
• FSU: plan to build FSU Health hospital in Panama City Beach (March 26, 2025) - https://news.fsu.edu/news/university-news/2025/03/26/florida-state-university-announces-plan-to-build-fsu-health-hospital-in-panama-city-beach/
• St. Joe: FSU Health Medical Campus (1002 N Arnold Rd, SR 79 and Philip Griffitts Sr. Parkway) - https://www.joe.com/medicalcampus
• FSU: August 2026 construction update
• St. Joe: Publix / West Bay Center
• Minto: Latitude Phase Two (Sept. 17, 2026)
• St. Joe: Anthropologie and Watersound Town Center
• St. Joe: Watersound Weddings & Events (Sept. 9)
• Walton County Beach Operations: Dune Allen right-of-way project
• Walton County: Aug. 21, 2026 traffic advisory (Western Lake Bridge)
• Walton County: Oct. 7 beach-activities workshop notice
• WJHG: Back Beach Road widening
• City of PCB: Front Beach Road Segment 4.1 procurement
• City of PCB: Frank Brown Park pickleball
• USA TODAY 10Best: resort airports (Oct. 14, 2026)
• ECP: aviation statistics
• WJHG: ECP 350-acre expansion area
• WJHG: ECP concessions
• News Herald: terminal vertical construction and MRO projects
• ECP: board meetings, agendas and minutes

I’ll keep updating this page as projects move from proposal to approval, construction and opening.