PANAMA CITY — The Panama City Port Authority is packing its bags.
In the coming month, the agency will be moving to a new building to make way for a major roadway project by the Florida Department of Transportation.
With construction for the 23rd Street flyover project set to begin next year, the port must vacate its current building to make way for a temporary road. Another port building along U.S. 98 occupied by Immigration and Customs Enforcement also was recently vacated.
At a board meeting Thursday, Port Director Wayne Stubbs said employees soon will begin moving into new offices on the port property and the buildings will be demolished shortly thereafter.
FDOT purchased the buildings and property from the port for roughly $5.6 million about two years ago, Stubbs said.
Construction is currently underway to expand and refurbish the port’s “Sherman Building” to accommodate additional employees. As a result of the roadway project, the port also is relocating its east gate.
While the projects have created some headaches for the port, Stubbs said the flyover will be a welcomed addition, helping to eliminate conflicts between heavy traffic and trains moving goods in and out of the port.
“We’d rather not have to do it, but we support the project,” Stubbs said.
During Thursday’s meeting, the Port Authority board also approved a 3 percent raise in Stubbs’ salary for the coming year, pushing it to $195,000. They also unanimously approved an increase in his annual bonus from $20,000 to $25,000.