Panama City CRA Workshop Highlights: New Logo, Breezeway Project, MLK Grocery Store, and Affordable Housing Push

City of Panama City Workshop Summary - July 16, 2025

The workshop kicked off with a discussion on creating a distinct logo for the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), inspired by a Florida Redevelopment Association training that showcased logos from CRAs across the state. Several designs were presented, including four from Aaron Rich Marketing, some from Mayor Branch, and others by staff member Michelle. The designs leaned heavily on green to symbolize regrowth and revitalization. Mayor Branch, drawing on his graphic design background, stressed the importance of simplicity for scalability. Versions 1 (circular design) and 3 (featuring water, a building, and a tree) emerged as favorites, with Version 4 also in contention. The board decided to narrow it down to two or three options, including one from the Mayor, for a final decision at the July 29, 2025, CRA meeting, with staff tasked to refine the designs and ensure "Community Redevelopment" is included.

The focus then shifted to the Breezeway project at 447 Harrison Avenue, originally a CRA initiative to create leasable space with public restrooms while preserving a pedestrian breezeway. After the Downtown Improvement Board suggested a public-private partnership, Virtuous Cycle was chosen for negotiations, but their $1.2 million proposal revealed an $800,000 financing gap. Options like selling the property, offering a long-term lease, or scaling back the project (e.g., removing restrooms) were debated. Mayor Branch opposed cash injections, advocating for a simpler, accessible one-story design. Commissioner Lucas floated the idea of corporate naming rights for branding exposure, while Commissioner Street suggested re-bidding or moving to the next RFP respondent due to financial concerns. No final decision was made, with the board set to revisit the project’s direction.

Commissioner Lucas presented a 20-year vision for a grocery store at MLK and 15th Street, rooted in community plans from 2004 and the post-Hurricane Michael Dover-Cole Plan. After contracting Retail Strategies in May 2024, an unformalized proposal from the Amaran Group (gas station, 120 apartments, 12 townhomes) was overshadowed by the Sankofa Group’s proposal (grocery, 62 apartments, 20 townhomes), approved unanimously on April 15, 2025. A June 5 community meeting highlighted concerns about apartment affordability ($1,100–$1,300), prompting Sankofa to prioritize affordability in ongoing negotiations. Despite opposition from the Amaran Group citing gentrification risks, Lucas supported Sankofa’s tangible plan. The Incremental Development Alliance will begin workshops on September 4, 2025, to empower local developers, and staff are exploring housing subsidies (HUD, CDBG, SHIP) to enhance affordability.

Mayor Branch proposed a streamlined grant program to fund outdoor seating enhancements for businesses like a Thai restaurant and Gypsea Box in Millville. The idea is to offer quick, reimbursable grants for exterior improvements without complex permitting, avoiding the administrative burden of permanent programs. Commissioner Street endorsed this one-off approach, emphasizing support for entrepreneurial ideas that benefit the community. The board agreed to refine the proposal for a vote at the next meeting, focusing on simple, business-friendly exterior upgrades.

The discussion on CRA-owned properties centered on activating vacant lots for community benefit, particularly for affordable housing and commercial projects. Mayor Branch suggested a scoring matrix to prioritize local entrepreneurs like Michelle Bryant (American Legion post), Alicia Rhodes (food truck court), and Schwartz Gainer (home builder). Many lots are encumbered by SHIP or HUD funding, complicating sales. Commissioner Street proposed splitting lots into commercial (proposal-based) and residential (given away for affordable housing with construction timelines). To avoid costly appraisals ($500–$600), the board considered using realtor comps and a rotation of agents. Staff were directed to research encumbered vs. unencumbered lots, prioritize recent letters of intent, and consult the Florida Housing Coalition for funding solutions. A broader housing discussion was scheduled for the August City Commission workshop.

The board explored adding a standalone CRA virtual workshop on the third Wednesday of each month at 4:00 PM, alongside existing first and third Monday meetings. They debated whether a third monthly workshop is necessary or if CRA items could be integrated into current meetings. The scheduling decision was deferred to email discussions to confirm the best approach.

 Panama City Arts and Publishing Museum   

A brief discussion addressed aligning the CRA’s publishing museum MOU with the structure of Panama City Arts, potentially moving it under Quality of Life for administrative consistency. A presentation was scheduled for the July 22, 2025, City Commission meeting to update new board members, with staff coordinating materials.