Panama City holds first of many Community Recovery Town Hall Meetings

Downtown Panama City took a big hit during Hurricane Michael. Tuesday, city leaders met with the community to brainstorm ways to rebuild and revitalize the area.

Many locals have ideas on how to rebuild Downtown Panama City.

"I think infrastructure is the most important. If we're gonna grow that means we're gonna have more people move here and if we can't move them around this town that's gonna be a problem," said Panama City resident Robbie Hughes.

Which is why Panama City leaders are holding Community Recovery Town Hall Meetings for the next few weeks.

"There's a lot of like-minded situations where people that expect to see certain things and there's certain people that don't want to see something so that's why you got to get everyone's opinion," said Panama City Mayor Greg Brudnicki.

During Tuesday's meeting, people used their cell phones to take surveys and share their thoughts on education, tourism, and what they'd like to see in the area.

"The interactive style allows for a lot of differing opinions. Doesn't mean everyone is going to work. Rather than just a few making a decision for the whole everyone gets to say, 'Hey, I had a mark on the future of Panama City!'" said Hughes.

City leaders say they will keep all the ideas and use them as they design the plan to rebuild Downtown Panama City.

Panama City Mayor Greg Brudnicki said the city plans to hold more than a dozen focus groups next week for locals to take part in.