PANAMA CITY — While the Panama City Commission agenda is packed with items, it might lack the intrigue of the Community Redevelopment Agency meeting that will precede it at 8 a.m. Tuesday.
The City Commission, which also serves as the CRA Board, will once again consider a development order for the Marie Hotel property at 490 Harrison Ave., now the third time but second vote. Developer Royal American wants to build an affordable senior housing complex at the site.
Back in September, the CRA voted against the Marie 3-2. Commissioner John Kady seems poised to lead another denial of the now 31-unit complex. The previous vote was colored by Kady’s criticism that an affordable housing complex would create an unbalanced housing situation in downtown, with St. Andrews Towers already in place at Beach and Harrison, and that other types of housing must be considered.
A new wrinkle is that the commission may argue that the project is no longer financially viable, cut from the original proposal of 80 units by almost 40 percent. Property owner Joey Chapman said the project can make money with 31 units. He also said the market of downtown Panama City would not support a high-end apartment complex, an option preferred by many of the projects opponents.
The Panama City Downtown Improvement Board agreed that it was against a 44-unit senior affordable housing complex back in January. Realtor Dwight Hicks has been an opponent from the beginning.
For a second time, city planning staff have recommended approval. But on Dec. 8, the planning board denied the order by not seconding a motion on the floor.
Chapman and his attorney Derrick Bennett have stated that if the commission continues to deny their proposal that it will be taken to court. Royal American does have an approved demolition order for the site.
Kady stated that CRA approval is necessary for the development order to be approved. City Manager Jeff Brown said regardless the development order will go before the commission.
Also on the CRA agenda, the city staff recommends trying to receive some long lost grants. John Reeves was given CRA grant funds — starting with $47,327 for a roof, then an additional $29,239 to finish the roof, $5,031 for facade improvements and $900 for a paint voucher — for a former grocery store at 2401 E. Fifth St. in Millville. He promised to have a new grocery store by April 2014. He received an extension to November 2014. He is asking for another extension.
“It still isn’t operational,” Brown said.
The board has the option to grant that extension or ask for $82,497 granted to Reeves back. If Reeves refuses to pay back the amount, the city would put a lien on the property.