With the old Panama Grammar School up for sale, local officials are thinking of how to pitch into the effort to preserve the structure.
The building at 101 E. Seventh St., Panama City, is an ornate piece of old-Florida architecture. Many old-timers have sentimental attachments to the building, some having even attended school there themselves.
The building was constructed in 1914 and operated as a school until 1965. It was purchased by the First Presbyterian Church, which used the school for a variety of activities.
After Hurricane Michael devastated the area in 2018, the church had to make some tough choices. The church put the old school up for sale in 2019 as it focused on rebuilding its primary facilities.
“I think we’re at the point in our recovery from Hurricane Michael where our citizens are expecting a different kind of intensity around neglect, blight,” said Street. “What we have before us today is a potential funding solution to allow asking for partnership with (the Downtown Improvement Board) and the (Community Redevelopment Agency) to go and mitigate this building and prevent demolition by neglect for one of the most historic properties we have in our community.”