Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Panama City public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
31 issues in development
300 Laverne Avenue Waterfront Redevelopment
A seven-story apartment project in downtown Panama City got final approval from the board. It includes public parking near Bay Joe's under a previously approved MOU.
Tax increment rebate for KBP Properties office conversion
KBP Properties will get up to $149,472 in rebated taxes over 15 years for converting five single-family homes at 4101 W. 19th St into commercial office space in the St. Andrews District. Board members noted the project does not include affordable housing.
Port neighborhood compatibility at Hannah Avenue
Mayor Branch asked for an ordinance preventing port expansion and truck parking near neighborhoods, and commissioners discussed protecting existing waterfront access points in the Cove. The port's updated 2024 master plan must be folded into the comp plan, and the port director will answer questions at the next meeting.
Affordable Housing and Homeownership Challenges
Next week's housing roundtable brings roughly ten nonprofits and the Florida Housing Coalition together with commissioners to map out the city's housing needs and resources. Funding is far below pre-Hurricane Michael levels — about 80% less — so partnerships will be key.
Automated school zone speed enforcement launch
The commission voted 5-0 to delay live ticketing in the 11 school-zone camera zones until the fall term, keeping warnings only while commissioners review nearly 6,000 warnings already issued — including concerns drivers were cited with no children present.
Highway 390 conceptual plan
A 31-acre Sweet Bay site is proposed for a nursing home, apartments and mixed use — finally activating the healthcare vision planners had for that side of Sweet Bay.
Redeveloping City-Owned Land Through Public-Private Partnerships
Commissioners are keen on P3 ideas: a company could run an indoor pickleball facility at Chapman Park, developers could lease park-adjacent city land in exchange for maintaining parks, and adopt-a-park volunteers could cut maintenance costs.
Sale of Sixth Street and Harmon Avenue lots and workforce housing
The city is selling 13 vacant lots to MRS Enterprises for $350,000 — far below the roughly $925,000-$1.02 million appraised value — for workforce housing, after market testing produced no better offer. Commissioners weighed speed of development against land speculation.
American Legion purchase of 1342 MLK Blvd under SPARC program
A resident asked for a clear step-by-step process for handling property requests to the CRA, noting repeated direction changes. Staff pointed to a March 2 city commission virtual workshop on unsolicited proposals.
Panama City North Community Development District
CCTV inspection of aging sewer lines will decide whether they get repaired by lining or full replacement — a cost-saving approach already proven in Area H.
Commercial building near sewer easement at 551 E 6th Street
A variance lets a 5,000-square-foot shell building sit 25 feet back from the street because a city sewer line and easement run across the front of the lot. The applicant promised the board it won't be a bar or an expansion of the neighboring liquor store.
Glenwood Town Center grocery store project terminated
The neighborhood's long-hoped-for grocery store and mixed-use project hit a stormwater snag — new FDOT/FDEP rules and the Highway 98 widening could add $890K-$1.8M in costs. The board gave the developer five more months to find a cheaper solution, with several members warning the clock won't stretch again.
805 East Avenue sale goes to RFP
A resident's $300,000 unsolicited offer (later raised to the $320,875.79 the city owes Florida Housing) became an RFP, with old grinder stations and piping required to be removed. The revelation of the hidden housing-fund debt annoyed commissioners.
One Positive Place new facility proposal
One Positive Place has raised $1.2 million and bought or received donated four parcels near 17th Street and Maybell Whitfield Way to build a larger after-school facility serving 100+ kids, with a lock-off community center space for city use. They need the city as a partner — and possibly the vacation of an alleyway to eliminate setbacks — but commissioners want a funding plan before committing.
Millville FY 2027 projects: property studies, grants and Snug Harbor signage
Getchewabox gets $15,000 for exterior upgrades under the facade-grant program adopted in December. Business owners in the CRA districts can tap this money for visible improvements along the Fifth Street corridor.
Heir property and MLK corridor revitalization
Many Glenwood families can't repair or insure homes because inherited property lacks clear title. The commission unanimously backed bringing in LISC, using CRA money, to help clear titles and revitalize the MLK corridor with the community at the table.
Permitting and customer service overhaul
The city is overhauling outdated forms, checklists, and public documents across seven departments — with planning and zoning the top focus — so residents and businesses get consistent answers. Mayor Branch pushed for rolling out improvements every two weeks instead of one big release in May.
Site Preparation Grant Program finalized
The CRA is building a new grant program to help pay for demolition and site prep in all four districts, with guardrails to make sure cleared lots actually get rebuilt. Big decisions included award caps, minimum project budgets, a 0% loan for nonprofit affordable housing, and a six-month construction start deadline. Final package comes back June 2.
Oak Avenue tax increment rebate for Golden Developments
Golden Developments gets back 80% of the new property tax generated by redeveloping 534 and 541 Oak Avenue and a neighboring parcel — up to $337,101.78 over 15 years. Board members clarified the rebate only applies to the tax increase the project itself creates, not the roughly $1.2 million land acquisition cost a board member questioned.
Beck Avenue redevelopment in St. Andrews
The fire-damaged yacht club wants to rebuild a ~6,700 sq. ft. clubhouse and lock in operating rules for 30 years. Neighbors pushed for limits on noise, parking, and events, and the final agreement caps pavement at 60%, bans sailing center expansion, and requires late-night events indoors. The City Commission gets final say on April 28.
Sale of 1218 College Avenue and 2151 E 11th Street
Two large vacant city parcels totaling about 37 acres were up for sale through CBRE, but commissioners tabled the sale to a workshop, frustrated that the item keeps reappearing without an overall plan — and with questions about stormwater, warehousing potential and who initiated the listing.
724 & 728 Magnolia Avenue TIF Rebate Deadline Extension
The developer behind the Magnolia Avenue project got seven extra months to finish, pushing the deadline from May 30 to December 31, 2026, because of permitting and impact-fee delays.
Stormwater barriers on MLK Boulevard
FDOT and new FDEP ERP rules make small-lot development on MLK nearly financially impossible, with six-figure stormwater costs on tiny parcels. The commission is exploring an impervious-surface credit bank, regional ponds, and green infrastructure to unlock development.
Downtown marina design and bidding
Before boat slip bids go out, the city is deciding whether to pay Marina Partners about $98,500 for work under a terminated interim agreement. The commission wants cleaner scope and invoicing first.
Watson Bayou Marina expansion at 407 Maple Avenue
The commission unanimously backed the city's reapplication for a state boating grant to expand the downtown marina boat ramp — a roughly $1.8-2 million project aimed at the big-boat fishing traffic that drives tourism dollars.
Downtown North CRA purchase of 704 East 15th Street
The CRA is buying a vacant, gas-station-tainted corner at 15th and MLK for $175,000 — well under its $250,000 appraisal. Residents hope it won't just become a parking lot; staff say a workshop will sort out future use, plus it lets the MLK rec center's crosswalk move to a safer corner.
Affordability of the Infill Program
Commissioner Street pressed for a pause on new infill projects at this price point, arguing lot splits and partnerships (like Habitat) could produce cheaper starter homes. Staff reported only two more infill projects are in the hopper.
CBD Holdings / Shelton property development agreement
The CBD Holdings deal brings free land and utility lines but also commits the city to designing a future wastewater plant up north. It frees capacity elsewhere but will be expensive and is still years out.
Purchase of 704 East 15th Street
The CRA is buying the old gas station site across from Glenwood Town Center for $170,500 — well under its $250,000 appraisal. A 1984 state cleanup program covers any contamination costs, and the purchase goes to the city commission March 24 and the CRA April 7.
SweetBay Town Center Phase 3 growth
Concept approval for the roads, utilities and stormwater that will serve SweetBay's next commercial phase keeps the large mixed-use development moving forward on the city's east side.
Massalina Bayou marina and Masonic Temple event center
A retiree's six-year effort to build a 28-slip marina and save the historic Masonic Temple as an event center cleared its final local hurdle. Supporters say it adds water recreation and helps downtown; one bayou neighbor warned the 250-foot dock extension is out of character and asked for more time.