[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6146612,"mediaKeyId","5525501-9b9a6736f1d75072c95d985a4ec39e76","parentId",5525501,"title","Public questions plans to add commercial and residential development to Panama City marina uplands","audioSeconds",369,"startMs",4064000,"endMs",3695000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5525501-9b9a6736f1d75072c95d985a4ec39e76&start=4064&end=3695","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5525501-9b9a6736f1d75072c95d985a4ec39e76/thumbnail_4064000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6146612/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/Public-questions-plans-to-add-commercial-and-residential-development-to-Panama-City-marina-uplands","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146612-8fe65091e45aa7ac44915ab6b17c9f67/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140273&Signature=SHNdwPX5WcPKsyYCCDZXqZqVlDNQzwDh~P4eZAafB-tZO6MMFG1JQ6uilhD9yQGzVuHDMDoxTdg2aExCUKM07EAKVyCpNrpo-OnHt2yPIOnErQmKl5aqoMbRajw09j2p2lqJ-39Dd~07DO74hOEu6cwyqQwOhSx-1sl3VAAIawtIN8hJfLzV8WX60qRG0ksUmitZaDUNXZK8hf4c00CDPE6XWFdk6YsYY-XSik330F9Kwry1uRA2yFGqptmtRDUB5lQf8HtIuWHlKiXcJLLoGAQ30j7mGkMR5ehCgIl3n-ZaA3sEbDgg05M0wHyP0gwqWrAgNyubIXAXIrzMkClFlg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Panama City, FL","date","2025-08-02T12:50:49Z","article","Judy Stapleton, a longtime resident, told commissioners she did not want prime marina uplands converted into residential and commercial development and asked why such uses were necessary when there are vacant buildings downtown. “With all of the empty land and the empty buildings that we have downtown, why would we have to use prime marina property for retail and residential?” she asked.

City officials said the city has limited capital to build or rebuild marina infrastructure and has sought partners to fund boat slips and upland improvements. An official explained that the city can offer the upland land as part of a partnership and that without private investment the city would have to put general fund capital into slips and bulkhead work. “The city can either try to build it, which we don't have the money for, or ask somebody to build it and revenue share with them,” a city official said. The official added that projects to rebuild slips and the bulkhead have large price tags; staff cited figures in the low tens of millions for bulkhead and marina work and said the upland improvements help make the marina financially feasible for private partners.

Officials emphasized that renderings shared previously are conceptual and older, and that future designs will be developed publicly with input. Staff said the commission intends to keep a downtown boat ramp and to preserve public access, and that any upland plan would include public amenities, open space and protections for views. Officials noted the goal is a balanced mix of uses so the marina does not require ongoing general‑fund subsidy.

No development agreement was approved at the meeting. Staff said they will hold public open houses and workshops with the redevelopment partners and that updated conceptual plans will be circulated for public comment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Panama City Live Stream","oneSentenceSummary","A resident asked why prime downtown marina uplands are being proposed for commercial and residential uses instead of public parkland; city officials said private investment and upland revenue are central to financing slip and bulkhead improvements.","taxTitle","Panama City, Bay County, Florida","taxId",4834,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6146617,"Residents pressure city on potholes, sewer cave‑ins and alley maintenance as staff detail repair limits",3700,1445000,5145000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5525501-9b9a6736f1d75072c95d985a4ec39e76&start=1445&end=5145","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5525501-9b9a6736f1d75072c95d985a4ec39e76/thumbnail_1445000.jpg","/articles/6146617/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/Residents-pressure-city-on-potholes-sewer-caveins-and-alley-maintenance-as-staff-detail-repair-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146617-30c1aafeb6840915342193a87e739aa9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140273&Signature=o205030f1UDiVRENDTFapIAYVMT3RTqHQCGVmXcFlBaUWV2~NuQTf1O2DUzj-nGUFlt4IhcCX8awBwn0D9KYqB9KzUMN0f7i22jzv5F4agYdV5nIgPTQ1IWii3bAMBiN~DzHmcJqEnZS0pE9Ansjwh7Qn3lzRUB7YeQmIee6JOZhr1ywwoEUsVBB~w1tzerX~V7hD-U0xqgbp~z9rPFN0Z8O59CN5eAEgAm5wsB1IFstVxSxFODdpJ7WNnpVjaokfRCon5fWq54rhehhYnDYgd6VyXzMa4arRXjG3~FocohXeJ8G6w7UkaW9mEbdosEFbMvmZ6ptss3MiVfuU~nMMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","John Tinney, a longtime Panama City resident, told officials he sees recurring potholes that are poorly patched and said the city needs better equipment and follow‑through. “My suggestion is, 1, the city needs better equipment because I've watched them put a little asphalt in, they pat it with a shovel,” he said.

Jonathan, the city's public works director, explained the difference between surface potholes and cave‑ins caused by failing underground utilities. “There's a difference between a true pothole and a cave in. Most of what you see in the city are cave ins,” he said, noting that crews often make temporary surface patches while the utilities division schedules deeper excavation to repair the underlying pipe.

Jonathan said the city’s asphalt crew patches roughly 20 to 25 problem spots a day but that larger failures may require excavation, utility repair, engineering, traffic control and, in some cases, competitive procurement. He estimated the city is managing roughly $400 million worth of projects now but that long‑term needs to replace aged underground systems could approach the low billions. He also described the city's recent purchase of an “asphalt zipper” to bridge the gap between small patches and full block repaving and said the equipment increased the crew’s capability.

Residents also raised alley maintenance and tree‑clearance issues. Jerome McDowell and other residents described alleys that are overgrown or obstructed; staff said right‑of‑way crews are smaller than needed to regularly maintain every alley and that the city previously relied on inmate crews that are no longer widely available. Staff noted an alley‑abandonment process exists but cautioned that giving an alley to an adjacent property owner can raise property values and complicate access to buried utilities.

No council action or vote took place. City staff said they would follow up on specific locations raised during public comment, verify property lines with the city surveyor where needed and evaluate priorities for alley clearance and drainage work within current staffing and budget constraints.","Residents complained about persistent potholes and uneven repairs; the city explained many failures are cave‑ins caused by failing underground utilities, outlined crew capacity and procurement limits, and flagged longer‑term capital needs and alley maintenance challenges.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6146622,"Residents press city for playground equipment at Hintz Park and longer hours for Mackenzie Park restrooms",127,2429000,2556000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5525501-9b9a6736f1d75072c95d985a4ec39e76&start=2429&end=2556","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5525501-9b9a6736f1d75072c95d985a4ec39e76/thumbnail_2429000.jpg","/articles/6146622/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/Residents-press-city-for-playground-equipment-at-Hintz-Park-and-longer-hours-for-Mackenzie-Park-restrooms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146622-84934925e90eb5231fd3a3a70a5141e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140273&Signature=ozuiHrt5Hf8g-IKBY22nda~dkgA9xqLMkIcGyNCdDoBLhPp-nq3O1t16zyBb7c1pVMq7Xg9HVLbiSmzXMcyupsGc2sjCAGut94tG74U4wJeE03K9LW2f4vIodVKUxAhGkqRCiML4gTQFH6trzrVyWeyZWTeAFmoEMRCFuUGTK-ktt5lF6NDLYpI1pmLBVtgQxNYIo9DUxhGXJWmu6MfZH-bHHUQZpZrUWGmXvscoDzo1P1N9XDfRuSqJTYxU1IsmuTQk-xaEOAdKikiUJ7eFSFy96BACnCEgrxRa4pJMoXrciAnDH7YOjHFcyXfv0NACruxIDJ-Eth1WNW9uDqwHbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A resident who lives next to Hintz Park told city officials the site is currently unusable for children and asked for play equipment, not just passive park features. “Hintz Park is directly in front of my house… We need something there for the kids. Swings, a slider, something not just a pond,” the resident said.

City staff said Hintz Park remains a multi‑phase project that first addressed chronic flooding and that playground equipment is part of the final phase. “We're kinda coming in for a landing with this final step. And as part of that, there is gonna be more stuff for the kids and, you know, some swings to be added,” a staff member said.

Separately, Harbor Village resident Candace Harvison praised new restrooms at Mackenzie Park but said they were locked after 5 p.m., limiting use by evening visitors and downtown patrons. “They were locked. They're only open 8 to 5, office hours. Now what good does that do people who were downtown in the evening?” she asked.

Staff responded that restroom hours currently match the breezeway schedule and that some closures have been driven by infrastructure or maintenance issues, including vandalism and repeated clogging; staff said they would review the hours and consider opening later in the evening when feasible. The city also noted that some park projects are tied to separate state and federal grants with timelines that constrain phasing.

No formal action or vote occurred at the meeting. Staff said they would follow up on scheduling for the Mackenzie Park restrooms and provided a summary that playground elements for Hintz Park are planned but depend on completing flood mitigation and final funding steps.

Residents were advised to contact the city's project staff for updates and to expect public notices as phases and schedules become concrete.","Neighbors asked city officials to finish planned playground work at Hintz Park and to extend hours for the newly built restrooms at Mackenzie Park after attendees found them locked during evening hours.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6146626,"Panama City residents, officials debate use of automated cameras in school zones",410,697000,1107000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5525501-9b9a6736f1d75072c95d985a4ec39e76&start=697&end=1107","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5525501-9b9a6736f1d75072c95d985a4ec39e76/thumbnail_697000.jpg","/articles/6146626/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/Panama-City-residents-officials-debate-use-of-automated-cameras-in-school-zones","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146626-9a9dcfb46375d8243a6de20f5778ba5f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140273&Signature=Nm-YodoMk255nVrIEYIliiUOkuB8meieb3B4QbIlxgYs85Dhct0KlZb2D50eukJ-2GLJSmEDqJiTRsbmshSHgvXFo-rsUuKplpDbg56B725K4LAoawJse0c6ZbDJWuA3zkOuCT136mERLH~ki6PLltJDNKE9uHHc16xpZTLXluU9ffZJqBMa5ssf13mLub6Bzo6pTdbATJd0yj7Tdktg9LNwZsX-wsvJ0HDCGqQoS~FrUwbS6q9a3K0y0oCc9viumBZ54JfHULjtGDoej1HKliLTiHl1bbeyJdlGABbVyj54qnl4dqoiT4pMjX4gQd2LEqWYlMhFnU7x7eNn3DioJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brian Grama, a Panama City resident, urged city officials to use fees from proposed school‑zone speed cameras to fund pedestrian safety improvements rather than put the money into the general fund. “I would like to see that money go for a specific purpose that kind of helps why we're doing it in the first place,” Grama said.

City staff described the program as a limited, one‑year test and said state law governs where fine revenue may be allocated. “There's a specific percentage, commissioner. You're correct. Most of it does go to public safety,” a city staff member said. The staff member also said tickets would not be automatic: “A Panama City sworn law enforcement officer or LEO has to review each and every one.”

The discussion centered on three questions: whether the camera program will reduce speeds, how the city will use any fee revenue, and whether data from the cameras should be used for targeted enforcement or mailed fines.

Supporters at the meeting described the cameras as one tool among many. Grama and others recommended directing much of the revenue to upgraded school‑zone signs, flashing beacons, leading pedestrian indicators and raised crosswalks. “If we're gonna solve a problem by ticketing people, we beef up … the most obnoxious school zone signs that flash and give you the speed limits,” Grama said.

Speakers also urged the city to look at alternatives and complements to automated enforcement. A city official noted the cost of staffing marked patrol cars for every school, estimating roughly $2.5 million a year, and suggested using camera data to deploy officers at the right times or to measure the effects of signage and striping. One commissioner said she was wary of the program’s privacy and equity implications and questioned how overlapping revenue streams from the city and school board would be coordinated.

No formal action was taken; staff framed the proposal as a test and described follow‑up steps, including inventorying existing school‑zone infrastructure and identifying sites for improvements if the test proceeds. City staff said the next phases would include specifying program metrics, confirming legal requirements for fund allocation, and coordinating with the Panama City Police Department on the adjudication process.

Residents and officials agreed on the goal of safer school zones, but they differed on means: some preferred cameras as a backstop to engineering and education; others recommended broader neighborhood enforcement and behavioral campaigns funded from any ticket revenue.

City staff and commissioners said they would return to the subject in a formal meeting for further deliberation and to provide more detail on the legal allocation of revenues and proposed site list for the pilot program.","Residents and city staff discussed a proposed one-year test of automated speed enforcement in school zones, focusing on how revenue would be used, privacy and enforcement processes, and alternative safety measures such as signage, pedestrian infrastructure and targeted enforcement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public questions plans to add commercial and residential development to Panama City marina uplands

Residents pressure city on potholes, sewer cave‑ins and alley maintenance as staff detail repair limits

Residents press city for playground equipment at Hintz Park and longer hours for Mackenzie Park restrooms

Panama City residents, officials debate use of automated cameras in school zones