Bay County Commissioner George Gainer says the old jail in downtown Panama City is for the birds and needs to come down.

"We had some engineers look at it and they say it's falling apart, it's not safe and we need to bring it down," Gainer said.

Gainer says there are problems. The building is old, it's in bad shape and it's got asbestos.

"It has no use as a structure, some asbestos in it, it's just not useful for anything," Gainer said.

Commissioners agree the best use for the space would be a parking lot for the courthouse, and it would relieve a lot of problems.

"We see the old jail is coming down probably within the next six months," Gainer said.

What do Panama City residents think?

"I'd say immediately nothing, just kinda see how things rock along. I think the future of this area is kinda tied in with the new airport, kinda see how that comes along," Bobby Conner, a Panama City resident, said.

"I think we should have a community center and someone who can teach the children and maybe they can make a new change in their life," Betty Floyd, a Panama City resident, said.

Gainer says whatever happens with the old jail, the space will be used for county purposes.

Commissioners hope to have the lot cleared by February, but they'll have to be careful.