Panama City Seeks Park Concerts

The sounds of music could soon be amplified at Aaron Bessant Park in Panama City Beach, Fla., where officials seek to expand concert facilities to increase tourism.

Using $2.6 million in funds from the Bay County Tourist Development Council, the city hopes to build a large permanent amphitheatre at the park, according to the local News Herald.

A public meeting on the expansion drew some residents like Jack Bishop, a businessman, who supports the measure.

“I think if you have a good venue, with good events, you’ll attract good people,” he told the paper. “Tourism and tourists still pay the bill for the city.”

However, the meeting also drew other locals who expressed concerns about the noise and traffic such a facility could generate. Ideas including changing the position of the stage and black-out dates for concerts were reportedly floated as possible solutions to the issues.

The city is expected to present further details on design and operational plans for the shed during a meeting in October, the paper said.