2024-04-24 23:47:00
The city of Tallahassee is moving forward with a new police station after its projected cost rose to $135 million.
The original estimate was 46 million in 2018. The number has grown to 60 million in 2020. The project size and scope is being significantly reduced from initial plans after the COVID-19 pandemic caused major nationwide cost inflation. The 135 million does not include the 30 million already spent to acquire the 29.5 erf and make ground level improvements to prepare it for development.
Aerial design of the planned Tallahassee Police Department.
During a City Commission meeting Wednesday, City Manager Reese Goad said the project’s current price is an estimate, and won’t be finalized until project designs are completed over the next few months.
“The price we show today is estimated to be 60% designed. We have a little bit to go before we get to a point where we can get hard bids and convert it to a contract that then makes the contractor responsible for any inflationary cost increases or changes,” he said.
Commissioners Jeremy Matlow and Jack Porter expressed concern that segments of the lot would be purchased by private developers. Matlow says he wants future planning for the parcels to continue to be publicly owned and used for public services, such as a daycare in the city.
“The whole of North Monroe is going to be redeveloped within the next 50 years. There is plenty of room for the private sector to buy in and be part of the investment we are making. But I believe very strongly that we need to slow down the pace on the drawing board, bring back the community conversation and see what public benefit and public good we can bring out of this property,” he said.
Mayor John Dailey says the public will be involved in the conversation about what to do with it, including what types of businesses will be there if the city does decide to sell parcels.
“All of these types of items will emerge throughout the process as we move forward with final design. And I think they are very valid. How does it look,” he said.
Goad said these discussions will probably take place after construction of the police station has begun. Construction is expected to begin in November this year.
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