Airport could transform Florida's Forgotten Coast

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A new $330 million international airport, pushed by The St. Joe Co. and political leaders over the objection of environmentalists, is scheduled to open in early 2010 on a 4,000-acre site north of Panama City. It could mean big changes for the quiet oyster and shrimping towns along Florida's Forgotten Coast.

Sand dunes rise above the beach while sun bathers and swimmers enjoy the day at St. Joseph Peninsula State Park on Cape San Blas, a part of northwest Florida that is referred to as the Forgotten Coast because of its relaxed pace and lack of tourist attractions.

Cape San Blas near Apalachicola has one of Florida's most gorgeous white sand beaches.

The restored Gibson Inn is one of several quaint places to stay in Apalachicola.

Peter Rummell, chairman of the St. Joe Co., says the airport in Panama City is key in the company's long-term strategy to maximize the potential of its vast northwest Florida land holdings. Critics say it will change the landscape forever, and not for the better.

Fred Werner, a private pilot in Panama City, Fla., opposes the new airport plan because he does not want to move his plane to the new location and thinks the St. Joe Co. will benefit too much. Werner is Panama City pharmacist whose organization, Friends of PFN, the FAA's designation for the existing Panama City airport, sued to block the new airport.

Silhouetted against an afternoon sunset, a fisherman casts his bait into the waters of St. Joe Bay in Port St. Joe, Fla.

Shrimp boats tied up at the dock at Apalachicola. The area is known for its outstanding oysters and fresh seafood.

Apalachicola Bay is known for its slow pace, fantastic oysters and equally fantastic natural scenery

No two sunsets are alike on Mexico Beach, and it's one of the joys of visiting this relaxing community.

Condos and townhouses line the canal in Mexico Beach, Fla. Vacationers can rent many of them, along with slips for their boats.

A customer enters the ramshackle Indian Pass Raw Bar on County Road C-30 between Apalachicola and Cape San Blas, Fla. The atmosphere is rough, the service often abrupt and the oysters served are simply the best around.

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Sand dunes rise above the beach while sun bathers and swimmers enjoy the day at St. Joseph Peninsula State Park on Cape San Blas, a part of northwest Florida that is referred to as the Forgotten Coast because of its relaxed pace and lack of tourist attractions.

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