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Panama City nears agreement with City Marina Partners for downtown slips; uplands access and infrastructure still unresolved
Summary
City staff said negotiations with City Marina Partners (CMP) are advancing and the financial advisers indicate a full slips buildout could be viable; commissioners stressed the need to start with 50 downtown slips while questions about uplands access, utilities and parking remain.
Panama City staff told commissioners the city is close to finalizing terms with City Marina Partners (CMP) to operate and build boat slips at the downtown marina, but commissioners said infrastructure on the uplands and Saint Joe’s first right of refusal remain open policy questions.
The commission discussed using an interim agreement to get an initial 50 downtown slips permitted and installed while further work continues on a long-term uplands plan.
Why it matters: Commissioners said boat slips and an operating fuel and ship store would increase downtown access and tax revenue; they also warned that uplands infrastructure (water, sewer, power, parking) must be addressed for full buildout.
Most-important details - Staff reported they expect to meet with PFM (financial advisers) and CMP and bring a recommendation to the commission in July. CMP is the developer/operator the commission previously directed staff to negotiate with. - The immediate goal discussed was completing a 50-slip phase (using an existing permit) and then advancing a full build-out of roughly 200–220 slips across both basins. “One of the primary goals … over the next 18 months is to have those 50 slips done in the downtown marina,” a commissioner said. - Cost estimates given in the meeting varied: one figure cited for slips alone was $18–20 million; another participant referenced an estimate of $35–40 million for slips, ship store and operating fuel dock. Staff and commissioners said the uplands (water, sewer, power, parking) are not yet fully funded or specified. - Saint Joe retains a contractual first right of refusal on the uplands; commissioners noted that any uplands commitments may have to account for Saint Joe’s rights. - No final agreement was taken; staff aims to present draft interim and long-term agreements to the commission in coming weeks, and commissioners suggested a separate public-input process (charrette, multiple meetings) for uplands design and parameters.
Discussion vs. direction - Discussion: Whether slips can be financially viable without uplands development; examples from other marinas; community preference and political acceptability of uplands uses (hotels, retail, etc.) were debated. - Direction: Staff to meet with financial advisers and CMP, and attempt to return to the commission with contract paperwork and a proposed timeline (commissioners referenced a July target to return with materials). Commissioners asked that permitting and the initial 50-slip phase be prioritized to reduce multi-month delays. - No vote or formal contract approval took place at the workshop.
Quotes “The preliminary reports I’m getting is that what the financial advisors are saying will work,” Jonathan Hayes said about CMP’s proposals; commissioners repeatedly stressed the need for public input and clear city parameters for uplands use.
Ending Commissioners urged staff to accelerate the permitting and interim agreement so the first 50 slips can move forward and to schedule robust public engagement on the uplands and long-term vision. Staff said it expects to bring CMP-related materials back for commission consideration in July.
