Panama City commissioners on Oct. 28 authorized a professional services task order to conduct community planning and uplands design for the downtown marina and scheduled a special Nov. 10 meeting to consider a private-sector term sheet for the project.

The commission unanimously approved retaining Dover Kohl (task order funding and schedule described in staff materials) to run community charrettes and prepare uplands planning materials and asked staff to seek a shortened timeline where feasible. Mayor Mark Branch and commissioners said they wanted the public’s design input and more clarity on the financial assumptions underpinning any private partnership.

Why it matters: The downtown marina redevelopment has drawn years of public comment and multiple consultant studies. Commissioners and speakers differed sharply on whether revenue from boat slips alone can support the marina or whether uplands commercial development is necessary to close financing gaps. That dispute has been an obstacle to reaching a final agreement with potential operators and developers.

City staff said Dover Kohl would complete community workshops, produce preliminary concepts and support follow-up financial work by public-finance consultants already retained by the city. William Harrison of CMP, a developer under consideration, told the commission CMP had provided term-sheet drafts and sought a public negotiation. “We are here to find a solution,” Harrison said, noting CMP had previously submitted a long-term lease draft to the city.

Commissioners pressed for more documented numbers. Several commissioners requested staff summarize earlier draft agreements and provide construction-cost estimates tied to the designs so that PFM’s financial modeling could be validated. Commissioner Brian Granger said the public engagement and the design must be completed quickly; Commissioner Lucas urged compressing the planned seven-month schedule where possible.

Because the commission has received multiple drafts and studies over the past year, members unanimously approved a motion to hold a special Nov. 10 meeting to review the CMP term sheet and compare it with the Saint Andrews marina agreement and other options. The motion passed 5-0.

What was decided: The commission voted 5-0 to (a) authorize the Dover Kohl task order to move forward with uplands planning and community charrettes, asking staff to shorten the timeline where possible; and (b) hold a special meeting Nov. 10 to consider the CMP term sheet and to receive a staff summary of prior draft agreements and associated documents.

Public input and next steps: Public commenters urged transparency and more public charrettes. City staff agreed to post prior draft agreements and provide a written timeline showing documents submitted to the city. The commission asked that task-order deliverables include a cost estimate for construction so financial models can be validated before any final deal is negotiated.

The Nov. 10 meeting will focus on the term sheet and a comparison of previously submitted drafts; any negotiated contract or lease would return to the commission for formal approval.