PANAMA CITY — The Panama City Port Authority moved forward with efforts to expand warehouse space at its Intermodal Distribution Center on U.S. 231 at a meeting Thursday, a project recently put on the fast track by port officials.
Currently, half of the 150,000 square-foot warehouse is being utilized by moving and storage company Aadvantage North American, but Port Director Wayne Stubbs said a new business has expressed interest in the space.
"There is a chance ... that the existing building may be fully committed within a few months," Stubbs said. "We don't want to be without available space."
The estimated $4.5 million project would expand the current warehouse by about 100,000 square feet. The port currently has a $1 million matching grant to put toward the warehouse, and officials hope to grant money allocated at the next meeting of the Florida Ports Council.
The board approved spending up to $36,500 for engineering firm Hatch Mott McDonald to prepare a request for qualifications for the project, which will be completed through a design/build contract.
"We have to be ready," said Port Chairman Donald Crisp. "This could move very rapidly. ... We just want an industry brought in on our property with a lot of employees."
The board also addressed another IDC project Thursday, accepting a $245,000 bid from GAC Contractors for site work on another parcel at the distribution center. The approval also came with a condition to allow staff and the port chair to approve changes to the contract if needed.
Last month, the Port Authority accepted a $200,000 settlement from its bond company for unfinished work at the site after disagreements with previous contractor Gulf Group, Inc.
"This is mostly remedial work to put the site in condition to be brought up to final grade," Stubbs said. "It's mostly dirt work and sod work."
During the meeting, Stubbs also reported the port's tonnage up 16 percent so far this year. February saw 167,000 tons of cargo come in on 20 ships throughout the month.