[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6168323,"mediaKeyId","5408186-310cf77a1a3a17f178e7654eb910d434","parentId",5408186,"title","CRA board backs quick pilot to fund outdoor seating and small exterior improvements for Millville businesses","audioSeconds",297,"startMs",4056000,"endMs",4353000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5408186-310cf77a1a3a17f178e7654eb910d434&start=4056&end=4353","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5408186-310cf77a1a3a17f178e7654eb910d434/thumbnail_4056000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6168323/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/CRA-board-backs-quick-pilot-to-fund-outdoor-seating-and-small-exterior-improvements-for-Millville-businesses","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6168323-7c5e874d7b095c25d4243352ddd6e378/orig.mp4?Expires=1773780303&Signature=RLgMBI21boYczJHTUsZ5zhcaFiQ-8nDF5TObmLiHRABir4XCyag4MBZMPtx1rDv~OX-w3s8VXt9qzakRjtgQ8P4fx3cSQncXRuB9i8zCvEzAzJKJUlu1vUMbAyORkoEpsbjT6a2mNKWsgUOC3Xwmf2wnH6gPUfTL9m1SGXmxJJncZTbG2xpdEEBQFwwos6wCG8r8E324pSKjd7nCbcHuZeDfOwC3VH-7OgpduilaRsWgjE91ZhCUFf30ihNas43a8gyiBuLa3-Rc48b5qwoYv9cVGACzlUksQAJGrMsSV-Gx6yLWkO6x7MbmRtjxgnKqvnN4e8Yh6StRo2TjRBhEXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Panama City, FL","date","2025-07-16T20:50:25Z","article","CRA members discussed a fast‑track approach to small exterior improvements — such as decks, outdoor seating and string lights — for Millville businesses and encouraged staff to treat the proposals as one‑off grants rather than a large new program.
A board member described two local examples: a Thai restaurant seeking to build a deck across two parking spaces and a tire shop with an adjacent outdoor area that could be cleaned up and expanded. The board favored a full reimbursement model that avoids lengthy permitting or design requirements for small, incremental work and emphasized that the CRA should prioritize projects that are visible, improve sidewalks or public space, and can be implemented quickly.
Staff noted that while formal programs have benefits, the CRA can also make one‑off expenditures for projects it deems appropriate. Board members asked staff to prepare a short, simple reimbursement policy and bring it back for a vote at an upcoming CRA meeting rather than creating a large bureaucratic program.
No grant approvals were finalized at the workshop. Staff will draft the quick reimbursement policy, consider simple eligibility criteria and return with recommended language and a timeline.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","CRA Virtual Workshop","oneSentenceSummary","Board members supported a quick, limited program to reimburse Millville restaurants for outdoor seating and small exterior improvements to increase vibrancy and foot traffic; staff will draft a simple reimbursement model and return for approval.","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},6168328,"CRA and city staff weigh faster sales, lot subdivision and affordable housing tools to activate excess city land",1541,4608000,6149000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5408186-310cf77a1a3a17f178e7654eb910d434&start=4608&end=6149","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5408186-310cf77a1a3a17f178e7654eb910d434/thumbnail_4608000.jpg","/articles/6168328/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/CRA-and-city-staff-weigh-faster-sales-lot-subdivision-and-affordable-housing-tools-to-activate-excess-city-land","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6168328-57db0867aaa7689ca6b1ff82112fd407/orig.mp4?Expires=1773780303&Signature=ClZyhrpT56BrRcuyqeQLLgZ~UaNMFXS2gGcbZoATn~u0UjfFFQMHLbl6dZmlw4bdMQVeAie~rKbUZajEaqdY~8sifEdYj1Y2GfANCzD-o5wPs7U6QE5UDG0ToIhsSVfKqwI1CQQleG0WYtKreRKDuOOF1G9NBRg4MuIgNSQpddZrYzBWz4qpBR97lSJGQZ3IMcTlLe7OOXeIpoILWIO9g6vke11VyvvyL4xqO435J9~KQWNHMgeiiDiFPJDbqe25dKA5CmJgJIxSj123CrEuCHzgwj41GHStPrVXOe4IxugaWUk5367QFlTRMiaRFM0EVEc9wbNUExmzL3n4KZzGrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CRA board members and staff debated how to move dozens of city‑owned lots from inventory to development, with several members urging faster action to create affordable housing and neighborhood investment. Board members described multiple unsolicited letters of intent from local developers and community groups and asked staff to clarify which lots are encumbered by previous funding programs and which are free to transfer.
City staff said many lots are restricted by prior funding sources and deed restrictions from programs such as SHIP and HUD, which limit how the city may resell or repurpose parcels. “Some of these properties were purchased with SHIP ... and it's going to have to be dedicated,” CRA staff said, explaining that constrained funding sources can require reimbursement or preserve affordability covenants if the property transfers.
Board members proposed several immediate steps: identify and prioritize unencumbered lots for quick transfer, subdivide larger residential parcels to create smaller buildable lots to maximize production, use targeted incentives (including CRA payment of permitting or impact fees) to reduce developer cost, adopt a scoring matrix to prefer local small developers or adjacent property owners, and consider permanent affordability tools such as a community land trust or lien mechanisms to prevent quick resale for profit.
Staff said current practice is to request an appraisal when an unsolicited offer arrives and then present appraisal and title restrictions for decision by the CRA or city commission. Several board members called that process slow and said they wanted a faster workflow with staff presenting immediate options for lots with active letters of intent. Staff agreed to prioritize recent LOIs and return with appraisals and encumbrance information and to prepare an RFP mechanism for rotating real estate/comps support to speed valuations.
No transfers were approved at the workshop. Board members asked staff to return promptly with a list of candidate lots that are unencumbered or otherwise ready for rapid disposition, and to bring refined proposals for incentives and scoring criteria.","CRA board members urged staff to move more quickly to activate city‑owned lots — including subdividing residential parcels, prioritizing unencumbered lots, using housing tools such as SHIP and HUD liens, and considering community land trusts — to speed affordable housing production and neighborhood investment.",{"_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},6168332,"CRA board narrows logo options; staff to return with two finalists for July 29 meeting",953,629000,1582000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5408186-310cf77a1a3a17f178e7654eb910d434&start=629&end=1582","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5408186-310cf77a1a3a17f178e7654eb910d434/thumbnail_629000.jpg","/articles/6168332/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/CRA-board-narrows-logo-options-staff-to-return-with-two-finalists-for-July-29-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6168332-cc6fe370fb1afc1f72445823e30a19f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1773780303&Signature=AGzIJEBNZ8wcunXyKgOoi55n0jH-DpwG98HQH-h~2XBYV7asfVzGxix1O603o9Pb~wWiKjWM7QYbSC4dfUregqHDIGie4bkOHGAweghn3yAz0pa2mLKSH7KHGR2YRANxJJqppbgpmvHaXpnpFXqP~g3v0OuwP41wPmF4OgQIekVF0E7a4qmhYXIF34NPzOQgFPIOZCW6OAJ9bV66EtjD6NnJ354oaS-BF7xjqHQIOdLbq1bRrwGKJ14kfnxgDv6J-I3~yMYP4YuM1gsOg710xQk7rTAQXLa7IrPExrr1-XrUOIzkZs847plsUwVapi-6u9IX9tsR9Q~vCdR6uMIDLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CRA board members and staff reviewed multiple proposed Community Redevelopment Agency logos and provided design feedback but did not make a formal selection. The agency intends to use a distinct CRA logo on a forthcoming CRA subpage during the city’s website redesign.
Mayor Allen Branch urged simplicity in the design: “The more things you add to [a logo], when you shrink them down, it just looks like you lose all the detail,” he said during the review. Staff reported they had circulated versions from the city’s marketing consultant and additional options produced by board members and staff.
Board members coalesced informally around a pair of favorites (referred to in the session as version 1 and version 3), and asked staff to bring two polished options to the CRA’s July 29 meeting for final selection. One board member suggested removing the text “Community Redevelopment Agency” from the bottom of the mark for clarity and display flexibility.
No formal vote was taken at the workshop. Staff said the final decision would return to the full CRA board at the regular July 29 meeting and that the current workshop was intended only to gather direction and public input.","CRA board members reviewed a dozen proposed logos and discussed simplicity and usability; staff will present two refined logos at the July 29 CRA meeting for formal consideration.",{"_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},6168336,"CRA revisits 447 Harrison breezeway after developer says $800,000 financing gap",357,1639000,1996000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5408186-310cf77a1a3a17f178e7654eb910d434&start=1639&end=1996","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5408186-310cf77a1a3a17f178e7654eb910d434/thumbnail_1639000.jpg","/articles/6168336/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/CRA-revisits-447-Harrison-breezeway-after-developer-says-800000-financing-gap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6168336-bcd8c0920f425f80411d26fd6b6a6488/orig.mp4?Expires=1773780303&Signature=ia-4bP1vfik48DlRhb6y7P4sesSOkBCf2XYDnEuUnTZ0aezeb1mHUwPCRRZ9qQzUY1F94E51MBxezCdNqZ3Ct3lhSInKS6H5lmMdKBML8fjQHF0PlRxzJUw007bBY-VOVsyOPXDzct~7ad61VFY2~m0PqoiMpIPcP28NbsA8lk6~XTtARy1fvCttzlN0~Ux7Aa7oSpLVnAij8V8-Mg1O-nzhxDk3cu~MGFdL2CPgJunxonU8c47aNKKSqi3jCWriu4ymKmPvGpK3wAWiGjD6xGMUZgilKgchom1hOpB3xqCrf~TXDQSoYWl7dbutYn9hGdTqAMGvM4tylvsB60rOmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff and CRA board members discussed options for 447 Harrison Avenue — the downtown “breezeway” project — after the prospective partner, Virtuous Cycle, said its preferred plan would cost about $1.2 million and leave a financing gap of roughly $800,000. The city previously authorized staff to negotiate with the group, but the new board asked whether the agency still wants to proceed in light of the gap.
Brandy Waldron, CRA staff, told the workshop the CRA had funded about 90% of a design that included leasable space, public restrooms and a preserved breezeway. “When we reached about 90% of design we received a letter from the DIB recommending that the CRA forego that project and instead solicit for a developer to come in and partner with the city to do a public‑private partnership,” Waldron said.
The Virtuous Cycle proposal initially envisioned purchasing the building at a nominal cost and redeveloping it while maintaining a permanent easement for the breezeway, staff said. In the developer’s current plan, staff said, the build‑out would total about $1.2 million and the developer estimated a gap of approximately $800,000. “If we want them to do what they proposed here ... there is a gap of 800,000,” Waldron said.
Mayor Branch and several board members expressed reluctance to provide a direct cash infusion. “I’m not in favor for any cash injection,” Mayor Branch said, adding that he supports a simpler, one‑story approach and that the city has already invested heavily in downtown. Other options discussed included narrowing the required breezeway width to increase leasable area, offering a long‑term lease instead of selling the property, or inviting the Downtown Improvement Board or another local group to assume maintenance or operating responsibility.
Board members also suggested reissuing or reopening an RFP and evaluating other respondents from the earlier solicitation. Commissioner Josh Street urged staff to verify the developer’s financial pro forma before moving forward and to consider working with the next RFP respondent or returning the project to a public solicitation if the numbers do not align.
No final decision or vote to provide public funds was made during the workshop. Staff will return with more detailed financial information and options; any transfer, sale, or public contribution would require future CRA or city commission approval.","City staff told the CRA board that a proposed public‑private project at 447 Harrison Avenue (the breezeway) faces an estimated $1.2 million construction cost and an $800,000 financing gap; the board discussed options including sale, long‑term lease, scope reduction or DIB‑led partnership and stopped short of committing CRA cash.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6168341,"CRA board advances negotiations with Sankofa for MLK–15th grocery and housing project",508,2690000,3198000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5408186-310cf77a1a3a17f178e7654eb910d434&start=2690&end=3198","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5408186-310cf77a1a3a17f178e7654eb910d434/thumbnail_2690000.jpg","/articles/6168341/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/CRA-board-advances-negotiations-with-Sankofa-for-MLK15th-grocery-and-housing-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6168341-45e4c876ff8c13bd006dd685982ba1ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1773780303&Signature=aIlWVQRAg7Th7N8~TTy6F1DkkY7RU8FQi2DiXUpKhSIQrynD1CHJiywoCMuMBcUehA1Yemp4jUNvks7LPpBeaD963CcvpZuG3M6PhDAkwNB1X1CEr~U9g8f7Q8FTii8NRRmzLVJNvldPNhC7mBS7wYGpLvqFv8l1T3Z6R5zL3vehGEhBwC93Fi6ryXmiGP9ovIvuPmDMIFgjuKzThqVzS1EpUVZLnwPnXDDN0XQYFxFGOGgs9~McMy2js2q7kJg7LfRtSd3P~Ed93B8lI0PVXXjxykyeOXO68CAv92ux95qbwIk0fw93qnoUSwXO6SFscPCg7Jt1Qoh52xn5a667Ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Panama City Community Redevelopment Agency board voted 5-0 on April 15 to begin negotiations with the Sankofa Group for a mixed‑use development at Martin Luther King Boulevard and 15th Street that would include a full‑service grocery, 62 rental apartments and 20 townhomes. The action authorized staff to negotiate contract terms with the developer.
The negotiation matters because the intersection is a longstanding target for revitalization in Glenwood and because the proposal pairs a grocery anchored retail element with housing — a combination the CRA and community have sought for two decades. “This vision for a grocery store at MLK And Fifteenth Street really is a 20 year vision,” CRA board member Janice Lucas said during a subsequent workshop presentation that recounted the project’s history.
CRA staff and the developer have met biweekly as the Sankofa proposal is refined. The developer, represented at a June 5 public meeting by Pedro Gazant, said the proposed apartment rents would range “$1,100 to $1,300,” a figure some attendees called unaffordable for many neighborhood residents. Gazant also acknowledged he initially conceived the proposal as market‑driven but said he was working with CRA staff to address affordability concerns.
Opposition has come from other would‑be developers and consultants who favored different concepts. The Amarin Group and its consultant submitted written objections urging a rebid; a representative said the Sankofa concept could spur gentrification and urged additional community review. CRA staff said earlier unsolicited proposals from other parties prompted the agency to extend the public notice period to invite competing proposals before advancing negotiations with Sankofa.
Board members and staff emphasized affordability, community engagement and funding options. CRA staff said existing incentives the agency controls — such as tax increment financing (TIF) and other locally available tools — remain on the table. Board member Janice Lucas said the CRA has arranged for the Incremental Development Alliance to begin community capacity work on September 4 to help local landowners and small developers participate in neighborhood redevelopment.
Missing or unresolved items include definitive commitments on deep affordability levels, a finalized capital stack and a written development agreement. The board and staff said they will continue negotiations with Sankofa and return to the CRA for any required approvals once a final agreement is drafted.
If an executed agreement is reached, the next steps will include finalizing funding commitments, clarifying any public incentives or fee waivers, and completing required land‑use approvals. For now, the April 15 vote authorized staff to continue negotiations but did not bind the CRA to any particular subsidy or final deal.","The Panama City CRA voted to begin negotiations with the Sankofa Group for a mixed-use project at MLK Boulevard and 15th Street that would include a full‑service grocery, apartments and townhomes; the project has community supporters and critics and affordability remains a central concern.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

CRA board backs quick pilot to fund outdoor seating and small exterior improvements for Millville businesses

CRA and city staff weigh faster sales, lot subdivision and affordable housing tools to activate excess city land

CRA board narrows logo options; staff to return with two finalists for July 29 meeting

CRA revisits 447 Harrison breezeway after developer says $800,000 financing gap

CRA board advances negotiations with Sankofa for MLK–15th grocery and housing project