The City of Panama City has received a grant from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) in the amount of up to $8 million dollars to design, bid, and construct a scenic waterfront sidewalk along W. Beach Drive that increases connectivity and promotes walkability between Downtown Panama City and St. Andrews. The proposed 12-foot wide sidewalk on the southside of W. Beach Drive will include benches, bike racks, water fountains and emergency call boxes for pedestrians and bicyclists using the multi-use sidewalk.
The City received the "Notice to Proceed" from FDOT in March of 2023. The next step in the project is to begin receiving qualification packets from engineers interested in designing the multi-use sidewalk and creating the documents necessary to bid the project for construction.
The selected engineering team will be requested to design a sidewalk on the south side of W. Beach Drive that is within the existing right-of-way. The City has a 75-foot platted right-of-way along W. Beach Drive from Frankford Avenue to Balboa Avenue and a 50-foot from Balboa Avenue to Florida Avenue. Within the platted right-of-way, the State has filed a Maintenance Claim that is 45 to 47-feet.
Map of Beach Drive from Frankford Avenue to Florida Avenue.
A concept drawing (below and linked) from the City's planning consultant, Dover, Kohl and Partners, demonstrates how a sidewalk could be constructed on the south side of W. Beach Drive within the 45 - 47-foot maintenance claim.
.View the concept drawings.
The design process will include community engagement and public meetings. Details for public meetings are posted on the city's calendar as meetings are scheduled. Residents and visitors can register to receive public meeting and event notices via email and/or text through the Notify Me section of the city's website.