PANAMA CITY — Additional infrastructure upgrades are around the corner for the historic downtown area.
In a special meeting on Monday, Panama City commissioners approved a more than $4.7 million contract with Gulf Coast Utility Contractors to repair aging infrastructure in a portion of downtown identified as area O-12.
“The area O-12 project is located in an area of aged infrastructure with urgent need tin the Downtown area of Panama City,” the meeting’s agenda reads. “The area is located south of 4th Street, northeast of Oak Avenue and west of McKenzie.”
The agenda notes the project will be funded using Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
A 5% contingency also was approved by commissioners on Monday that allows for up to $4,761,847.98 in project spending.
Four companies submitted bids for the area O-12 project. Gulf Coast Utility Contractors had the lowest estimate of $4,725,569.50.
The three other companies that submitted bids were: Royal American, which filed a $4,999,869 bid; Marshall Brothers, which filed a $5,194,690.46 bid; and CW Roberts Construction, which filed a $5,496,000 bid.
“On Dec. 18, 2024, sealed bids were received at the city of Panama City and opened for the (area O-12) project,” the agenda reads. “Bids were opened in the presence of bidder’s representatives, city staff and engineers.”