Preserving the Heart of Downtown: A New Vision for Panama City’s Civic Space

by: Aimee Bright, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Bay County Chamber of Commerce

Since 2012, the Bay County Chamber of Commerce has emphasized the importance of the revitalization of downtown Panama City. The Chamber has advocated for public access to the water, public and private entertainment venues, civic activity space, a hotel, public art, as well as development of retail, restaurant, and office space in the downtown district. Included in that advocacy was recognizing the economic boost a large-scale events venue can bring to a community. For decades, the Panama City Marina Civic Center served as that venue in downtown Panama City; a community hub for cultural, civic, and social events along the waterfront.

The City of Panama City has a longstanding history of a civic center serving as the centerpiece of downtown. In fact, the first civic center in downtown Panama City was a USO recreation center built in the 1940s for servicemen stationed in Panama City. The building was purchased by the city in 1945 and it quickly cemented itself as the heart of downtown. As the community’s needs grew, the City of Panama City moved forward to build a larger auditorium along with a new city hall and marinas. The original civic center was razed, making way for the Marina Civic Center in the late 1950s. The new building was again utilized as a multi-use facility to host a wide range of events, from concerts and theater productions to graduations, dance recitals, and conferences. It was one of the largest venues in the region, attracting performers and visitors from all over the country, including the Harlem Globetrotters. The

Marina Civic Center was renovated in the 1990s with a grant from the state and included upgrading the floor, updating production technology, and seating improvements. It remained the center of arts and entertainment until it was catastrophically damaged during Hurricane Michael in 2018. The destruction forced the closing of the facility and it remained closed after the storm.

The process to determine the future of the Marina Civic Center was a long and complicated one. Following the damage of Hurricane Michael, the City of Panama City hired an architectural firm to perform a market analysis that defined amenities, size, location, and cost for a new Panama City Performing Arts and Events Center. Architects hosted a series of public meetings and workshops to share updates on the market analysis and gather feedback from the community. Additionally, the city requested federal funding to replace the civic center. After a lengthy arbitration process, their request was denied in 2022, leading city officials to reconsider future options for the facility.

In the six years following Hurricane Michael, the Bay County Chamber of Commerce remained steadfast in advocating for the revitalization of downtown Panama City, including its commitment to seeing a large-scale events venue in the heart of the community. In May 2024, the Cham- ber’s Board of Directors endorsed a city staff proposal that focused on two main components: the restoration of the historic Martin Theatre and demolition of the Marina Civic Center as well as construction of a semi- temporary amphitheater on the site of the civic center.

2024 Chamber Board Chairman Joe Holt commented, “The Chamber is dedicated to ensuring that our community has a thriving cultural and entertainment hub. While it’s difficult to let go of a building with such a rich history, this plan provides a path forward, enabling us to maintain a space for public gatherings while laying the groundwork for future growth and innovation downtown.”

With demolition of the civic center complete, the Chamber is optimistic that the revitalized historic Martin Theatre and new amphitheater will not only preserve the spirit of downtown but also stimulate further development in the surrounding area. Patrick Chapin, Bay County Chamber President & CEO stated, “The Chamber remains committed to advocating for a downtown district that honors the past while forging a sustainable, dynamic future for Panama City. Once completed, these venues will bring significant economic and social benefits to downtown Panama City by attracting visitors, supporting local businesses, and creating fresh opportunities for cultural and civic engagement.”