Panama City Commission Calls Special Meeting on April 9, 2024 to Address St. Andrews Marina Project Concerns

PANAMA CITY, FL - The Panama City Commission has scheduled a special meeting on April 9th to address concerns surrounding the St. Andrews Marina project. While the specific time of the meeting is yet to be determined, it comes in response to a wave of objections voiced by St. Andrews residents at the previous commission session on March 26th.

Residents expressed discontent over purported plans for a hotel and cruise line stop, fearing the replication of a marina akin to the one in downtown Panama City. Notably, the March 19th meeting where these plans were unveiled was not sufficiently publicized, leading to limited attendance. Residents called for the fishing marina they had prior to Hurricane Michael.

The Gorman Group, the developer involved, clarified at the meeting that the hotel proposal stemmed from the city itself. Their original plan involved a $13 million restoration of the bulkhead, a $12 million reconstruction of slips, and operation of the marina, with provisions for rebuilding after storms under a 60-year lease agreement.

Commissioners deliberated on potentially funding the bulkhead to reduce the length of the lease agreement and agreed to conduct another public hearing on April 9th, aiming to address community concerns and ensure transparency in the decision-making process. This upcoming meeting underscores the significance of community engagement in shaping local development initiatives.