CRA releases $520,000 budget for Breezeway project; board votes 3‑2 to free funds

The Panama City CRA board voted 3–2 to release $520,000 that had been budgeted for the Breezeway project at 447 Harrison Avenue and to remove CRA responsibility for future redevelopment of the site.

The board heard staff explain that the Breezeway—originally intended as a pedestrian connection with planned permanent redevelopment, easement, retail space and public restrooms—had proceeded without a viable public-private partner and that the city commission is considering reissuing an RFP. Staff recommended the CRA release the $520,000 so those funds could be redirected to other downtown CRA priorities. “If you release it, it's gonna get spent,” a board member asked; staff clarified that the board would still control allocation decisions but freeing the line would allow reallocation for other downtown needs and studies.

Proponents said releasing the money would allow the CRA to fund other urgent downtown activities, including market studies and Dover-Cole visioning work for the marina uplands and other studies that staff and commissioners had directed. Opponents argued it was premature to release the funds while RFP negotiations and p3 outreach continue and urged preserving the allocation until a clearer path is identified. The board discussed possible sale-with-easement options and how proceeds from a sale would flow to the city’s general fund while CRA project funds remain available for CRA priorities.

The roll call on the motion to release the Breezeway funds: Board members Street, Hughes and Chairman Branch voted yes; Lucas and Granger voted no. Motion passed 3–2. Staff said any reallocation would be brought back to the board for project selection and that spending would still require board approval. The board and staff identified possible uses for the released funds, including studies tied to the downtown marina and support for other downtown projects.