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Heated public comments, questions over cost and right‑of‑way as Panama City debates Beach Drive multi‑use path
Summary
Citizens told the commission they oppose tree removal, question traffic impacts and dispute project cost estimates; staff said FDOT has not agreed to transfer Beach Drive and that design review and permitting must be completed before bidding.
A sustained, sometimes heated public debate on April 8 focused on the proposed Beach Drive multi‑use path and related stormwater 'Baysaver' devices, with residents disputing the project's cost, environmental benefits and impacts to mature trees.
Several speakers urged the commission to halt or revisit the project. Greg Abrams said the project has been confusing and that the city has spent what he described as excessive engineering costs; he said DOT had not agreed to transfer the road to the city and asked the commission to be "truthful" about property transfers and funding. "Where does a referendum come from and the city hasn't give you or the DOT hasn't give you the property? Why you want to falsify to the people that y'all already have this in hand?" Abrams said.
Environmental and tree‑preservation concerns were raised by George Prother, who argued that the path and…
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