Copa Cabana undergoing revamp

PANAMA CITY, FL - St. Andrews businesses should see more tourists in the heart of the community once the new Cabana Motel opens next year.
   
Shrimp Boat Restaurant owner Loren Smith bought the dilapidated restaurant and lounge, known as "The Copa Cabana By The Bay," two weeks ago. Plans are under way to turn the motel, once owned by Smith's father, Lowe Smith, into a resort destination.
   
"I had a vision for it, and I was just somewhat concerned someone else might obtain the property and do something that was not in the best interest of the community," Smith said.
   
St. Andrews needs accommodations for the water district, said City Commissioner Nancy Wengel, who represents the neighborhood. Wengel was executive director of the St. Andrews Waterfront Project for about nine years, she said.
   
A retail-market analysis released about a year and a half ago shows St. Andrews would benefit from having a motel downtown, she said.
   
"It's an economic need," Wengel said.
   
Smith grew up in St. Andrews and lives about three blocks from his restaurant. He said he wanted to make sure the community's need was filled.
   
"If somebody else got it, it might not go the direction St. Andrews is going," Smith said. "I felt I had no choice."
   
Smith had reason to worry.
   
The motel his father built in 1958 slowly changed from a motel celebrities visited into an eyesore that drew criminals. The motel closed in 2006, and Prosperity Bank foreclosed on the property in February. The previous owners owed $1.6 million, but the county appraised the hotel at about $1.4 million, according to county records.
   
A sign outside the Cabana reads "New owners." Smith bought the property last month for $640,000, he said.
   
Smith said he plans to put about $1 million into renovating the motel. Almost everything except the foundation needs work, he said. Windows are missing, stairs and railings are rusted through, and rooms are out of date and gutted.
   
Smith plans to raise ceilings, replace the roof and build balconies. He has two drawings showing clean lines and keeping the motel's original style. Smith sees his motel offering about 49 units with an "island" feel and overlooking the marina. The towers out front will remain, and the interior will be decorated with pictures of historic St. Andrews, Smith said.
   
Workers have started demolition work.
   
Smith said he wants to bring the motel to its prime. He dropped the "Copa" from the motel's name because the motel originally was just Cabana.
   
Smith said he also plans to create vacation packages. Vacationers can stay in the motel, go on a charter cruise or fishing trip, catch a shuttle into Panama City Beach or golf. Menus for Gracie Rae Bar and Grill and the Shrimp Boat Restaurant will be in the rooms.
   
"St. Andrews needs to be a destination within a destination," Smith said.