Long-awaited Cherry Street project gets started in Panama City, will transform road
PANAMA CITY — Construction is officially underway for the start of the Cherry Street infrastructure improvement project in Panama City.
City officials and residents gathered Wednesday morning at Cherry Street and Bonita Avenue for a groundbreaking ceremony to start phase one of the project.
The project includes the reconstruction of Cherry Street from East Beach Drive to Bonita Avenue.
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"This is an exciting time for Panama City, and this is just one of many developments we're working on," said Mayor Greg Brudnicki.
In June, city commissioners awarded a nearly $5.8 million bid for the construction of the project to Royal American Construction. The company will begin construction within the next 30 days, starting at Cherry Street and Beach Drive.
The road is expected to be wider and more convenient for community access. Major items of work include replacing water and sewer infrastructure, repaving the roadway, planting additional trees, installing a sidewalk along the north side of the roadway and a bike path along the south side of the roadway.
Officials noted that the project has been in the works for at least six years, and the city was able to give the project a push through funding that came in the wake of Hurricane Michael.
"We knew there were improvements that needed to be done on Cherry Street for a long time," Brudnicki said. "And after Hurricane Michael, we were able to parlay money from the state with our infrastructure fund to do this, and do it right."
The improvement of underground water and sewer lines and the repaving of the roadway will be funded through the State Revolving Fund Loan. In addition, the Bay County Infrastructure Surtax will fund the sidewalk, bike path and non-utility features.
City Commissioner Jenna Haligas said it was an emotional moment for her to see the project finally begin.
"It was emotional for me to think of all the pieces that came together and the people that have worked on this project to create and rebuild something for the future," Haligas said. "It's just exciting that we're making spaces in a city that is so much better than it was before."
The project will be completed in three phases, with phase one anticipated to finish in about 300 days. Phase two will begin in about three months and will renovate Cherry Street from Bonita Avenue to Tyndall Drive.
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Cherry Street improvement project breaks ground in Panama City
