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Debate over Beach Drive path design, costs and legal fees continues; city staff say grant likely covers legal work
Summary
Public debate over the Beach Drive multi‑use path resurfaced April 24 as residents pressed the Panama City Commission for a cost reconciliation and asked whether state grant funds will reimburse legal and title-search costs.
More than a dozen residents and stakeholders spoke at the April 24 Panama City Commission meeting about the Beach Drive multi‑use path, raising questions about cost estimates, tree removal, design fees and whether state grant money will cover legal and title research expenses.
Several speakers who oppose the project, including George Carruthers and Hank Pickin, described the referendum’s narrow margin and questioned whether the ballot language and outreach were balanced. They also requested a detailed reconciliation of costs after design work increased from a $9.4 million early estimate to higher figures the city later circulated.
Supporters, including Brandon Henderson Gensinius, said the referendum simply asked whether the city should use the grant…
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