The controversial Aaron Bessant Park has had its share of ups and downs, and it continued Thursday at the Panama City Beach City Council.

The latest development in the park project involves the design contract. The council voted on a resolution to allow the city manager to negotiate the design and management agreement for Aaron Bessant Park improvements. This means city manager, Richard Jackson, would be authorized to negotiate a contract on who would develop Aaron Bessant. Contract negotiations are expected to take several months. All council members present voted to authorize Jackson to negotiate the contract, except for Councilwoman Josie Strange who has been against the project from the beginning.

“I don’t think Aaron Bessant Park is the proper site for the amphitheater the TDC (tourist development council) wants to build so for now on, as I’ve always have been, I’m going to vote no. On everything, it needs to be built somewhere else” said PCB Councilwoman, Josie Strange.

After a plan and design is reached, Jackson would propose it to the council for a final vote.