'Next chapter': PC hosts demolition event for Hurricane Michael home buyout program

Nathan Cobb, Panama City News Herald
·2 min read

PANAMA CITY — For Commissioner Josh Street, Monday marked a monumental achievement for both the city and residents.

Local officials held a ceremony to commemorate the demolition of 21 properties purchased by Panama City through the Rebuild Florida Hurricane Michael Voluntary Home Buyout Program. The initiative was designed to help residents move out of homes that have repeatedly flooded since the Category 5 storm hit in October 2018.

Panama City held a ceremony on Monday to commemorate the demolition of 21 properties purchased by Panama City through the Rebuild Florida Hurricane Michael Voluntary Home Buyout Program.
Panama City held a ceremony on Monday to commemorate the demolition of 21 properties purchased by Panama City through the Rebuild Florida Hurricane Michael Voluntary Home Buyout Program.

"For these individuals ... this was the best solution that government could provide, and it's very fortunate that we're able to work with our state and federal partners to see this come to reality," Street said. "This has been a very painful experience. You can imagine the trauma that comes from having your home flooded over and over again.

"A lot of these people, now that they're on to their next chapter of life, are completely different people, and enjoying life in a way they weren't able to before."

According to a press release from Panama City, the FloridaCommerce awarded the city $5 million to purchase the 21 properties, which are located in the St. Andrews area off Lake and Cincinnati avenues. Street noted all were bought at "fair-market value."

Funding used to purchase the properties was provided by the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery program offered by both the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and FloridaCommerce.

"The acquired structures will be demolished, and the properties will be developed into a stormwater facility and park, which will remain in perpetuity, as required by the program," the release reads.

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Street hopes for these stormwater advancements to reduce flooding in other areas throughout the city.

"There were a few homeowners who came to (Monday's event to) actually see the conclusion of this painful chapter in their lives," he said. "It was good to see them now having moved to a better situation for them and their families, be able to come back and actually have closure.

"This is one of those times where government really did work on behalf of the people, and I'm very thankful and appreciative for everyone who's been involved in this process."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City hosts demolition for Hurricane Michael buyout program