After years of sitting empty and deteriorating, the 1914 brick structure in downtown Panama City has found a developer willing to take on its resurrection, WJHG reported. The former Panama City Grammar School on East Seventh Street is finally set to transform. The historic school will now be redeveloped into a brand-new residential project with apartments and townhomes.
Discussions about preserving and restoring the century-old brick school building have been going on for years, especially after Hurricane Michael in 2018. The hurricane didn’t just damage the building; it broke something fundamental about the structure itself, leaving roofs compromised, windows shattered and doors buckled. For years after the storm, the rundown school sat there. Now the century-old school is finally getting its second life. Under a newly proposed agreement, the city commissioners have cleared a path for the developer to buy the property and start the renovations that have been long overdue.
The Grammar School’s resurrection won’t be quick or simple. The city’s investment reflects its priority. After the storm, cities often have to decide which damaged historic buildings are worth saving. Panama City chose to save this one. The structural repairs alone will test the timeline. But for a building that was already vanishing into Panama City’s background, the agreement is something close to a second chance.
The developer has been given exactly one year to complete the important structural repairs, such as stabilising the roofs, replacing the windows and doors, and addressing the compromised integrity that a 110-year-old building can’t ignore. If he misses this deadline, the $375,000 in forgiven fines returns to the property record. For the preservation efforts, the CRA will grant $100,000.
It’s a stick alongside the carrot. The CRA funds are expected to be formally approved by the commissioners during their next scheduled board meeting.
