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Joe Moody Harris Park overhaul paused while city finalizes $700,000 grant
Summary
City officials said a roughly $700,000 grant will fund paths, exercise equipment and other park upgrades at Joe Moody Harris Park but the city is delaying work until the grant paperwork clears audit and signature; staff said removing recent debris now could jeopardize the award.
Panama City staff told residents at the town hall that a near-term renovation for Joe Moody Harris Park is funded by a roughly $700,000 grant but work is on hold until the city completes required signoffs.
Resident Brenda Louis Williams asked why brush and construction debris remain at Joe Moody Harris Park and why the city has not combined plats along Martin Luther King Drive to spur development. City staff said the park is the next city park slated for overhaul and reiterated that the grant is worth about $700,000 but has not completed final signature because of an audit tied to a change in program administration. Staff said city crews have not removed the materials because hauling and tipping now could jeopardize the grant: if the city spends local funds to clear the site before the grant is finalized, it could imperil reimbursement.
When finalized, staff said the grant will fund trail resurfacing, exercise equipment and related improvements; staff said they would aim to incorporate additional amenities if site layout permits. Staff promised to move quickly once the award signs and said they would report back publicly when the grant paperwork is completed.
On redevelopment of the MLK corridor and combining plats, staff said land ownership is mixed (public and private) and that the city can replat and reconfigure city-owned parcels, but cannot force private owners to combine lots on their own; staff invited developers or property owners to bring proposals and noted the incremental development alliance can help property owners navigate acquisition and redevelopment steps.
No formal action was taken at the town hall, but staff said they will proceed with permitting and grant closeout steps and will notify the public when work dates and removal plans are scheduled.
