PANAMA CITY — About five years after efforts to construct a lighthouse at the Downtown Marina stalled, local volunteers are again pushing the project forward.

The city commission voted 4-1 on Tuesday night to allow the lighthouse to be installed north of the Sept. 11 monument in the grassy area and to pay for the cost of boring expenses, estimated at $3,700 to $4,500.

The lighthouse “is supposed to be a true navigational tool and an honor in support of boating and fishing,” said Pat Sabiston, chairwoman of the Panama City Lighthouse board.

The City Commission previously approved a plan to locate the lighthouse in the southwest corner of the marina, but that location would have affected parking access to 10 boat slips.

Mayor Scott Clemons voted against the motion to relocate the area designated for the lighthouse because the downtown redevelopment area plans to hire a consultant to create a plan to renovate the marina. He suggested waiting until that process is complete before making a decision, but CRA Director Suzanne Selph said she doesn’t anticipate that plan will be negatively impacted by the location of the lighthouse.

Sabiston said a further delay could hurt efforts to bring new attention to the project. For more information about the project, visit www.panamacitylighthouse.com.