Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Panama City CRA approves TIF rebates, park upgrades and service MOUs; schedules next steps for MLK redevelopment
Loading...
Summary
At its April 15 meeting the Panama City CRA approved two tax increment rebate performance agreements, renewed a World Changers MOU, funded Henry Davis Park renovations, continued CRA public 'socials', and approved a nonbinding staff direction to negotiate with the Sankofa Group on the MLK/15th redevelopment.
The Panama City Community Redevelopment Agency on April 15 approved a package of incentive awards, community agreements and park improvements, and recorded a board direction to pursue formal negotiations with a private developer for the MLK Boulevard and East 15th Street site.
Votes at a glance - Tax increment rebate: 445 Grace Avenue (Lighthouse 445 Grace Ave, LLC). Award recommended at 90% of eligible project costs, not to exceed $211,066.64, for up to 15 years. Motion approved by roll call (Halligas, Lucas, Granger, Street, Chairman Rowan: yes). Staff will execute a performance agreement with the applicant. - Tax increment rebate: 401 East Sixth Street (applicant: Hitchcock). Award recommended at 80% of eligible project costs, not to exceed $107,798.34, for up to 15 years. Motion approved by roll call (Halligas, Lucas, Granger, Street, Chairman Rowan: yes). Staff will execute a performance agreement with the applicant; the project meets the CRA’s $500,000 minimum capital investment threshold and the 10% owner equity requirement. - Memorandum of understanding: World Changers Organization (ninth amendment). CRA to reimburse materials and supplies for exterior improvements and blight elimination within specified boundaries in the Downtown North and Millville districts; labor provided by volunteers. Reimbursable costs not to exceed $30,000 for Downtown North and $30,000 for Millville. Motion approved by roll call (Halligas, Lucas, Granger, Street, Chairman Rowan: yes). - Henry Davis Park renovations. CRA approved up to $125,000 for renovations and upgrades at Henry Davis Park, paired with a $145,000 playground donation from the Kiwanis Club. Motion approved by roll call (Halligas, Lucas, Granger, Street, Chairman Rowan: yes). - Public comment rule amendment for this meeting. The board temporarily amended rules to allow the audience a one‑minute follow‑up for questions after the Sankofa Group presentation; motion approved by roll call. - CRA public engagement approach. Staff recommendation to continue the CRA “socials” as the primary public engagement strategy was approved by roll call. - Meeting schedule recommendation. The board considered rescheduling regular CRA meetings to 4 p.m. on the first Tuesday at the Bay County Government Center; after discussion the board voted on the staff recommendation (roll recorded as Halligas: yes; Lucas: yes; Granger: yes; Street: yes; Chairman Rowan: no) and the motion passed.
What the board approved The board authorized staff to execute two tax increment rebate performance agreements for downtown redevelopment projects, with specific award caps and durations. Staff recommended the 445 Grace Avenue application for a 90% rebate (up to $211,066.64 for 15 years) because the proposal includes a mixed‑use component; the board approved. The 401 East Sixth Street application met program thresholds and was approved at an 80% award rate (up to $107,798.34 for 15 years) tied in part to a daycare amenity.
The board also approved the ninth amendment to a standing MOU with the World Changers Organization to fund materials and supplies for volunteer exterior repair work in Downtown North and Millville (reimbursable up to $30,000 per district). CRA staff said World Changers has successfully completed similar work in prior years and the MOU covers volunteer labor rather than paid services.
Henry Davis Park, in the Downtown North area, was approved for renovations and upgrades with a CRA investment capped at $125,000; the Kiwanis Club committed an in‑kind playground donation valued at about $145,000. Staff said the park improvements respond to strong community input and will provide a playground option on the west side of Highway 77 while the MLK Recreation Center is rebuilt on the east side.
Procedure and next steps These approvals are primarily implementation actions: staff will finalize and sign performance agreements for the tax rebate awards; World Changers MOU and park contracts will proceed under the approved caps. For the MLK/15th redevelopment, staff will return to the CRA with a formal proposal after negotiating a letter of intent or MOU with the Sankofa Group; any land sale or final agreement will return to the board for approval.
The board meeting adjourned after the roll calls and approvals.
