FDOT awards Panama City $8 million grant to build 1.5 miles of bayfront sidewalks

Nathan Cobb, The News Herald
·2 min read

PANAMA CITY − Thanks to a massive grant from the state, a long-awaited construction project is around the corner.

In a City Commission meeting on Tuesday, officials accepted an $8 million grant from the Florida Department of Transportation to build about 1.5 miles of sidewalks on West Beach Drive. The sidewalks will be constructed on the south side of the road, along the Saint Andrew Bay, from Frankford Avenue to West Sixth Street.

According to Commissioner Josh Street, this project is something that has been on the city's wish list for more than a century.

Panama City commissioners accepted an $8 million grant from the Florida Department of Transportation to build about 1.5 miles of sidewalks on West Beach Drive.
Panama City commissioners accepted an $8 million grant from the Florida Department of Transportation to build about 1.5 miles of sidewalks on West Beach Drive.

"We're incredibly excited," Street said "This is actually a 100-year vision. ... We're going to see Beach Drive come to life, finally."

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Street noted in 1908, there was a published article in the former Panama City Pilot newspaper that called on residents to help build a boardwalk path along the same area.

"It's taken us over 100 years to get everything in place to do that," he said. "It's not a cheap process ... but it will be the thing that is on a postcard representing Panama City for generations to come."

The meeting's agenda states in addition to sidewalks, benches, bike racks, water fountains, a rest area and a parking area large enough for about 40 cars will be built as part of the project. All will be constructed to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

Officials still are working to determine the best dimensions of the sidewalk, Street said. He anticipates the city will soon begin surveying and engineering for the project, with construction breaking ground toward the beginning of 2024. He hopes for the project to be complete by the end of 2024 or early 2025.

"We are resolved to see this project get to the finish line," Street said. "It's been too long desired for our community, and it's time for us to just have the will to see it across the finish line. ... There are a lot of things for us to navigate, but I feel pretty confident that we're going to be able to complete it in a two-year timeframe."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: FDOT gives Panama City $8 million grant for bayfront sidewalk project