From David Volz
The Fort Lauderdale Commission approved several major contracts during a recent meeting.
The Commission reviewed six unsolicited proposals submitted for the development of the new Fort Lauderdale City Hall and approved four firms to move forward in the evaluation process. Following a presentation by Jacobs Project Management Co., the Commission voted to shortlist FTL Beacon Collaborative, FTL City Hall Partners, Balfour Beatty, and Fort Lauderdale Civic Partners based on qualifications, experience, financial capacity, and compliance with state public-private partnership requirements, among other preliminary evaluation criteria. Each firm is slated to present its proposal on December 2, 2025 at the City Commission Conference meeting.
The Commission approved a $6 million agreement with Arcadis U.S., Inc. to provide construction engineering and inspection services for the rehabilitation of eight sewage pump stations built in the 1970s. The upgrades will replace outdated mechanical, electrical, and ventilation systems, improving safety, efficiency, and reliability. The first phase will cover Pump Stations B-4 and A-20, located in Commission Districts 1 and 2.
The Commission approved proprietary purchases totaling about $9.1 million for essential parts, equipment, and materials used in the City’s water, wastewater, and stormwater systems. The funding includes $6.4 million for the Utility Services Department and $2.7 million for the Public Works Department to maintain water treatment plants, pump stations, and stormwater infrastructure. These purchases ensure the continued reliability of the City’s utility systems that serve more than 250,000 residents and businesses.
The Commission approved the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Action Plan, outlining how the City will use $88 million in federal recovery funds awarded after the April 2023 flood. The plan identifies unmet housing, infrastructure, and mitigation needs based on data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Small Business Administration, and community input collected through surveys and public meetings. The Action Plan will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development by October 21, 2025,
The Commission approved reallocating $1.1 million in interest earnings from the Parks General Obligation Bonds to help fund the planning and design of seven park improvement projects. The funding will advance upgrades at Cliff Lake, Gore Betz, Marshall Point, Poinciana, Smoker, Snyder, and Stranahan Parks. These projects include new walking paths, playground replacements, lighting, and ADA accessibility improvements. The interest earnings were generated through investments of unspent bond proceeds and recommended for reallocation by the Parks, Recreation and Beaches Advisory Board.
The Commission authorized staff to move forward with terminating the Comprehensive Agreement with One Stop FTL, LLC for the proposed development at the former One Stop Shop site on Andrews Avenue. The decision follows a series of reviews and discussions to evaluate project progress and ensure compliance with financial and development requirements. Staff will prepare the necessary documentation to complete the termination in accordance with the agreement.
