[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6080709,"mediaKeyId","2945767-a0448cb7feacf8bdc106811566688d9f","parentId",2945767,"title","Beach Drive multi‑use path draws broad public opposition and technical questions; commission says FDOT approval, further votes required","audioSeconds",860,"startMs",2914000,"endMs",3774000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2945767-a0448cb7feacf8bdc106811566688d9f&start=2914&end=3774","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2945767-a0448cb7feacf8bdc106811566688d9f/thumbnail_2914000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6080709/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/Beach-Drive-multiuse-path-draws-broad-public-opposition-and-technical-questions-commission-says-FDOT-approval-further-votes-required","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080709-14d63486e01640660c6ac8b5c8c3df71/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150888&Signature=J4IjdQMRuyvqzzu7TVM-eiAh3~jGxIOr7ZjCj3LYnoiCKRiutbSoLQij6tg833iFdBbMDTtYi76MVgZdgSJ9Rp3G9u-VyjkbnyjGaFQ7xcvrR1XfOtqfUVckXaUIsZkm2VZL7Q2DrNIG68w0Brx-Qgoe13e1AltxvlsuVxQVgMHzdGNfZUU7XEjr~x~evyEsFDBOPRu5jYCU1d8vJZBW1VfTOAJq3vgcO9OzK72TxJChHS25bnQwmYmDYtRIWMI3d56PvVPFCjf70y119MO~4kppD1i8WVfIDs67ZceZresHw8eJnIjvCh7Nahjbd5VE5RWNAcPw9dZmbbjWpCLX4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Panama City, FL","date","2025-04-10T15:00:25.087Z","article","Residents, business owners and advocacy groups filled the commission chambers April 8 to press competing views about the proposed West Beach Drive multi‑use path, associated drainage improvements and an environmental add‑on known as BaySavers.

Speakers repeatedly asked whether the Florida Department of Transportation would transfer the state road to the city, whether DOT had formally approved plans, and whether the grant funding and the path’s engineering estimates were accurate. Commissioners and staff said the grant and project design work preceded any formal request to transfer the road and that DOT review and approval of plans will be required before the city can bid the work.

Why it matters: The project would alter a major east‑west thoroughfare used by commercial trucks, commuters and school and college traffic. Opponents warned narrower travel lanes and the removal of mature trees would increase congestion and harm the character of Beach Drive. Supporters said the path would improve walkability and quality of life and connect parks, marinas and downtown destinations.

What staff said
City staff told the commission the original concept cost estimate shown in early grant materials was about $9.4 million and that more recent engineering estimates place construction around $6.5 million. Staff also said design, surveying, arborist work and legal review across the entire corridor have driven engineering and consulting costs and that engineering and related preconstruction work can represent a significant share of total project cost. A staff representative said the city has submitted revised plans to FDOT and is awaiting further comments and that FDOT review — whether the road is transferred or not — is required for construction inside the state right of way.

Questions about the road transfer and FDOT
Multiple speakers, including business owners, said they had been told by DOT representatives that a formal transfer would not happen now and asked whether the city should proceed with a referendum or other steps if the road was not transferred. City staff and commissioners said the grant and the subrecipient agreement were not predicated on a road transfer and that the project can be built either with a state right‑of‑way use/permit or, if the state does not grant the same permissions, a narrower path would be required east of Balboa Avenue. Staff said that without a transfer the path width would necessarily narrow to eight feet in constrained sections east of Balboa; with transfer and modifications a wider corridor could be achieved in spots on the west end.

Environmental components and permits
Staff also clarified that the BaySavers — structural stormwater treatment installations described by speakers — are an add‑on that prompted the need for an environmental resource permit from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Staff said the environmental permit process is separate from the FDOT right‑of‑way permitting and that the BaySaver work increases the project’s permitting complexity.

Public concerns
Speakers raised several recurring concerns: that the project would remove mature live oaks and other trees, that 11‑foot travel lanes proposed in some revisions would be unsafe for trucks and leave minimal clearance, that traffic would be displaced to narrower neighborhood streets such as 11th and 15th Streets, and that engineering and legal fees already billed to the city exceeded figures previously discussed. One public commenter presented a packet alleging the city had spent about $1.3 million on engineering and legal costs to date and that design expenses exceeded approved amounts; staff said the packet mixed application worksheets and actual grant agreements and pledged to provide updated spreadsheets and documentation.

What comes next
Commissioners and staff said they will continue the FDOT review process; staff emphasized the next formal commission decision will be whether to accept a construction bid and award a contract once FDOT concurrence and an approved final design are in hand. Commissioners noted that, depending on FDOT approvals, the project could be built in a different configuration and that further public meetings and formal votes would take place before construction funding is committed.

City staff and the public works director answered many of the audience’s questions at the meeting and pledged to provide clearer documentation about costs and the status of permits. No formal vote on the path design or construction was held April 8.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Panama City Live Stream","oneSentenceSummary","A proposed West Beach Drive multi‑use path and related stormwater work prompted a sustained public debate at the April 8 Panama City Commission meeting, with residents and business owners sharply divided over tree impacts, traffic and whether state approval is in hand.","taxTitle","Panama City, Bay County, Florida","taxId",4834,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6080713,"Panama City Commission adopts expansion of St. Andrews community redevelopment area",1163,1841000,3004000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2945767-a0448cb7feacf8bdc106811566688d9f&start=1841&end=3004","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2945767-a0448cb7feacf8bdc106811566688d9f/thumbnail_1841000.jpg","/articles/6080713/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/Panama-City-Commission-adopts-expansion-of-St-Andrews-community-redevelopment-area","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080713-8399c56e6881faa35c31ec734dbec3a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150888&Signature=MA4My5xbeVrVjOvZ-jzghJqSHaNBbUnbapaND7-MSqV~EQV5AxZOHt-GRC9ZWFAo-b7-1pYTJwdV5hVrDZdYoKIJBN8oTYRmnw6-dX6QqCdN0es4qeXKPZ-aurtjWexOBCcT8syHX0yAeZDB11tEJ~xlOTM8SaxS2rWj2hdwGRSsxsZAB3lPEyHiRZjxCUBc0U-lhrSGaFA~-XdcFA56o3y1KMykAHcnfxnAs3Ut2YrtYT~oYZwNaM0cOedDGOwTsCjebBQGn7rqEp6EBWlXfg8gCFVwjMccbU8tk6O9GDi7kZV0xWtNAys78owUBW4wS5TtsF8q812AJONjxDk-8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Commission of Panama City on April 8 adopted Resolution 20250408.1 to expand the boundaries of the St. Andrews Community Redevelopment Area, a measure staff said responds to a GAI Consultants finding of necessity and Florida statutory criteria.

Staff presented background and a map showing the proposed expansion and noted that the County will retain 26% of incremental tax revenue generated by parcels in the expanded area. The staff report said the planning and CRE staff worked with county staff on that revenue split; staff recommended approval. The commission then opened a public hearing before voting to adopt the resolution.

The measure matters because a community redevelopment area, or CRA, allows tax increment revenues produced inside the designated area to be reinvested in streets, stormwater, sidewalks and other public improvements within that area rather than going into the general fund. City staff cited Florida Statutes chapter 163, part 3, and a findings-of-necessity study by GAI Consultants as the legal basis for the action.

During public comment several residents said they supported investment but raised local issues they said the CRA should address. Derek Thomas, a resident of West 10th Street, told commissioners the report’s photos omitted nearby boat-trailer parking at the St. Andrews Marina and said a rusty dumpster and a boat on a trailer had blocked one of roughly seven trailer spaces during construction, which, he said, has limited public access to boat launching. City staff responded that parts of the marina are being used as a laydown yard for construction of 50 new slips and that staff and the contractor would review temporary parking and possible additional trailer parking behind nearby businesses.

Another speaker who identified himself as Mercer, a property owner within the expansion area, asked how a CRA would affect residential properties and said he worried about development and displacement. Staff replied that the CRA aims to invest tax increment dollars in public infrastructure—paving, stormwater, sidewalks, blight remediation and safety measures—and that there were no parcel-level redevelopment plans attached to the finding of necessity.

Commissioners moved and seconded the resolution without amendment. City Clerk Miss Smith recorded the roll call: Commissioner Street, Commissioner Halligas, Commissioner Lucas and Mayor Michael X. Rowan Sr. all voted yes. The motion passed 4-0 and the commission adopted Resolution 20250408.1.

The resolution text, as read on the record, cites the findings of necessity study, finds blight conditions within the study area under Florida Statutes chapter 163, and authorizes execution of an interlocal agreement with Bay County defining the revenue sharing and limits of the expansion. The resolution also included standard severability and effective-date language.

City staff said the county’s retention of 26% of the increment for this expansion differs from an earlier Downtown North expansion, where the county retained 15%, and that the split was negotiated with county representatives. Staff recommended and the commission accepted the finding-of-necessity study and map as presented.

Commissioners said they were glad to see the expansion move forward and invited staff to follow up on the marina parking concerns before construction of additional phases.","The Panama City Commission voted 4-0 April 8 to adopt Resolution 20250408.1, expanding the St. Andrews Community Redevelopment Area after a staff presentation and a public hearing that included concerns about marina parking and revenue sharing with Bay County.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6080700,"Residents press city on housing help and a persistent street leak; housing director and public works pledge follow-up",4178,2664000,6842000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2945767-a0448cb7feacf8bdc106811566688d9f&start=2664&end=6842","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2945767-a0448cb7feacf8bdc106811566688d9f/thumbnail_2664000.jpg","/articles/6080700/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/Residents-press-city-on-housing-help-and-a-persistent-street-leak-housing-director-and-public-works-pledge-follow-up","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080700-74e3465ec450d5689cd6e68ac7b14f23/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150888&Signature=OiwYtUhjhPqPMsvna6l7KhMro0IOG2xCrVSQQ4UNQLZ2WXnrJsljuC7-L-70FPMKlTOwkwVxXtxUy9-iHLSGeGVEGZ4y3a3OTn4blkHtvRp2CyM9cMEMCnH-U0I7~3V83BqNdiAWJmGNz8aKGZ3wNAhgTy65xAj5zRiDs0EP9KoKbVGX2FcKnwGlP-I5eudEPNGEPPLefU4IrPBlwA3VDGjiQfJMcXTj0p02BhGwsHcC57egHHmvjBw8fAmc4zXzjX8rnUh5lUervV9De7A30wx2IP16vDkkJirSjBsLBXkrW~GlFaUX6UySg~GLygjHtUy-o3WGQsDx4lR9TcE38A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two audience participants used their three minutes April 8 to press the city on housing affordability and a localized drainage problem.

Walter P. Henry described a possible defect in service-line installation on several streets and urged the city to inspect the lines and consider options short of full replacement to save money. Public Works Director Clint Murphy told the commission that the city had performed a one‑time rework and that a permanent easement would be required for more extensive work; Murphy said his crew would follow up and assess options with the property owner.

Another resident raised concerns about single mothers and young families who struggle to pay application and deposit fees for rental and housing programs. The clerk and staff identified Sheila Ware, the city’s director of housing and community services, and connected the speaker with her to discuss available support. Staff said the housing department can assist in limited cases with deposits and that non‑profit partners and existing programs sometimes provide one‑time funding for eligible households.

City staff pledged to have public works inspect reported standing water and to have housing staff meet with the resident to review available programs. No formal policy action was taken at the meeting; commissioners encouraged residents to follow up with the identified staff contacts for assistance.","During audience participation April 8, residents urged the commission to help single mothers facing high application fees for housing programs and reported a running water leak in a Saint Andrews cul‑de‑sac. The city connected residents to the housing department and public works for immediate follow-up.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6080705,"Votes at a glance: Panama City commission adopts CRA expansion, awards two construction contracts and fills housing board seat",480,9095000,9575000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2945767-a0448cb7feacf8bdc106811566688d9f&start=9095&end=9575","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2945767-a0448cb7feacf8bdc106811566688d9f/thumbnail_9095000.jpg","/articles/6080705/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/Votes-at-a-glance-Panama-City-commission-adopts-CRA-expansion-awards-two-construction-contracts-and-fills-housing-board-seat","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080705-c1204118bd52a1a674229fa6f7287ccd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150888&Signature=R9TC8EPOFb9SwJ7vF-dmn9UZnB4LDeNhRZeUe7LAX2W7KHzeGJ40wcSnkuip0YjHHdjwlZAiwhgbw-6n-yQc83WB5JkhgZGSWQGEd-Ma3Uvnnj4PPnBosqA8RJ3eqetOUWW-eIkM4BHEArhSCj7drNdx8t7M19SFw38SEaNKcryyBts4IUTNKPto2KruDExVbVRNMmOqSjmT9u-yDsNMG~Tc3h2peKKGgFjagp6nvkDARC8VHRp-6YeaOSgFfvV95avgLthKH1DeBNbi3uiuIczj38JwutS5iuPKsD2OC9ikoo02lNZ~Ifs9RXjxb2JSw49AYsYa~WaviaJ5QPdKQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Summary: The Panama City Commission held a series of recorded votes during the April 8 meeting. Key final actions included adopting a CRA expansion, awarding two construction contracts tied to grant and state funding, reappointing a firefighter pension trustee and appointing a new Panama City Housing Authority board member.

Votes and outcomes
- Resolution 20250408.1 (Item 6a) — Adopted. The commission adopted the resolution to expand the St. Andrews Community Redevelopment Area based on a findings-of-necessity study. Vote: Commissioner Street — yes; Commissioner Halligas — yes; Commissioner Lucas — yes; Mayor Michael X. Rowan Sr. — yes. Outcome: approved (4–0).

- PC25-001, CDBG‑DR Hometown Revitalization Group A — Contract awarded to Bayou Builders of Bay County for $499,998.00. Staff said the project is funded by a CDBG‑DR grant for revitalization work in the St. Andrews area (Hunt’s Oyster Bar, Alice’s on Bayview and Little Village). Motion passed by recorded roll call. Outcome: approved (4–0).

- PC25‑027, Pretty Bayou Water and Wastewater Improvements Phase 2A — Contract awarded to 850 Construction Services LLC in the amount of $1,025,896.85 after negotiations and scope adjustments. Staff said the project converts septic systems to sewer and adds potable water in Keys Point and Kingswood Drive area; funding comes from a state appropriation managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Outcome: approved (4–0).

- Municipal Firefighters Pension Trust Fund board — William Kramer: reappointment to a four‑year term. Outcome: approved (4–0).

- Panama City Housing Authority board — Taylor Williams: appointment to a four‑year term (application and interview on record). The commission discussed retaining long‑serving commissioner Jan Johnson but, under city policy requiring unanimous approval for continued service after two terms, commissioners voted to appoint Taylor Williams. Outcome: approved (4–0).

Other procedural votes included approval of minutes and adoption of consent‑agenda items; those measures passed on recorded roll calls.","At its April 8 meeting the City Commission approved Resolution 20250408.1 expanding the St. Andrews CRA, awarded two contracts for downtown revitalization and Pretty Bayou utilities, reappointed a firefighter pension trustee and appointed a new member to the housing authority; all recorded votes were unanimous.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Beach Drive multi‑use path draws broad public opposition and technical questions; commission says FDOT approval, further votes required

Panama City Commission adopts expansion of St. Andrews community redevelopment area

Residents press city on housing help and a persistent street leak; housing director and public works pledge follow-up

Votes at a glance: Panama City commission adopts CRA expansion, awards two construction contracts and fills housing board seat