Panama City to pay for needed ground-penetrating radar survey of Marina Civic Center
PANAMA CITY − Officials say an additional survey is need to move forward with any potential projects involving the Marina Civic Center.
Panama City commissioners on Tuesday agreed to pay JRA Architects more than $7,000 to survey the civic center with ground-penetrating radar. This will give a more accurate assessment of the area and damages caused in October 2018 by Category 5 Hurricane Michael.
The money will add to an existing contract of more than $52,000 with JRA for architecture and engineering services associated with the building.
"The expanding ground-penetrating radar survey will help to provide the city with the best information available for the potential demolition and future work in and around the Marina Civic Center," City Manager Mark McQueen said. "This is going to help the city in understanding exactly what's on those grounds. There are not accurate records for what is ... in and around the civic center."
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Built in 1957 and located near the coast of Saint Andrew Bay, the civic center was irreparably damaged by Hurricane Michael. Panama City last year tried to secure federal funding to repair the center, but it lost a $33 million claim from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The city instead received $11 million, which was cut by a $10.5 million insurance reduction, leaving only $500,000 in FEMA funding for the center. The city estimates it will cost about $74 million to renovate the existing building and equip it with modern technology.
Panama City also has looked into building a large multi-use facility in place of the center that would cost about $170 million, but officials still are working to develop funding strategies for either project.
At a meeting in January, commissioners voted for the city to take bids for the demolition of the center. This will help them know whether it would be a better financial decision to renovate the damaged building or demolish it and start over.
City staff says the ground-penetrating radar survey is needed to move forward with either option.
"I'm supportive of continuing with the process," Commissioner Josh Street said. "This is not a commitment to tear it down. ... Every option is on the table right now, and in order to know what to do next, we are going to have to get some data to make that decision."
Commissioner Jenna Haligas said she's not committed to tearing it down or leaving it.
"It does cost the city money by letting an abandoned, huge building just sit there for years. That's not acceptable," she said. "We need to be an incredible steward of that building. ... If this (survey) is necessary for us to make an educated decision, then that's what we have to do."
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City will use ground-penetrating radar at Marina Civic Center
