Panama City Beach City Council members are moving ahead with plans to build a controversial amphitheater at Aaron Bessant Park.

City officials notified the Bay County Tourist Development Council (TDC) Tuesday. The city has already sent out bid request to design the Aaron Bessant Park renovations. The plans call for more restrooms, parking and some athletic fields and the most controversial element, a larger stage that would accommodate bigger acts.

The TDC is using about $2 million dollars in BP settlement money to help pay for the $2.7 million dollar project.