Panama City CRA extends survey, seeks more outreach and explores loan tools to spur investment

The Panama City Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) voted to extend its public survey through April to gather more responses about priorities for streets, lighting, parks and streetscape improvements.

Staff reported 13 responses so far, with none from the Downtown North CRA district, and summarized top priorities: road resurfacing and stormwater repairs; additional street and decorative lighting; waterfront and park amenities; and streetscape beautification, including public art and wayfinding signage. A board member called the response rate "anemic" and urged setting a per-ward target to drive door-to-door outreach.

Board members asked staff to produce printed flyers and a brief fact sheet to accompany the online survey and to coordinate distribution through the Downtown Improvement Board, Waterfront Partnership and individual commissioners. "We'll extend it through April," staff said during the meeting; commissioners agreed to more active canvassing and a district-level response goal to provide usable data for the fiscal year 2027 budget.

Members also discussed using CRA financing beyond traditional grants. One commissioner and staff outlined options such as gap loans, bridge loans, low- or no-interest lending pools and targeted incentives modeled on programs in Ocala and projects on South Gaines Street in Tallahassee. Staff agreed to research sample program designs and return with a short report that the board can use alongside outreach materials.

The extension of the survey and direction to prepare outreach materials and a research brief are intended to produce more representative citizen feedback and to give the CRA options for whether to incentivize private investment through lending mechanisms or continue with grant-based incentives.