Oakland Park begins construction on a new Public Works Complex
From David Volz
The City of Oakland Park held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Public Works Complex at 5100 NE 12th Terrace. This brand-new facility will include Public Works Operations and Administration and a new Emergency Operations Center.
“It’s an exciting time in Oakland Park,” said Mayor Aisha Gordon. “This is our fourth facility groundbreaking ceremony since July. We continue to deliver on our commitment to build for our second century and provide the community with several modern facilities in time for our centennial in 2029,” Mayor Gordon continued.
The new complex represents a municipal investment of over $26.5 million into its infrastructure and service delivery. The Complex will house the City’s water, wastewater, stormwater, solid waste, streets, parks maintenance, facilities, and fleet services divisions. Public Works will relocate operations from 3801 NE 5th Avenue to the new complex, freeing up five acres of land that will be incorporated into Phase II of City Park. Phase I of City Park opened in October 2022.
The design for the new complex reflects other planned projects to create a consistent and cohesive look for future city facilities. The City Commission adopted a resolution in February 2023 to set the guaranteed maximum price and award construction services to Kaufman Lynn Construction, Inc. Project funding includes $11.5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, up to $1 million from the FEMA Hazardous Mitigation Grant Program, and approximately $15 million from loan proceeds.
Major projects underway in Oakland Park
From David Volz
Letitia Newbold was sworn in as a member of the Oakland Park City Commission during the Regular Meeting on March 15th, 2023. Newbold, a 15-year resident of Oakland Park, is deeply committed to positively impacting the community. She has worked as a Senior Intellectual Property Patent Paralegal for over 20 years and has extensive community service experience through local organizations, including the Lakeside Homeowners’ Association, the City of Oakland Park Board of Adjustment and Planning and Zoning Board, and Oakland Park Kiwanis.
Oakland Park is beginning construction work on its new Public Works Complex at 5100 NE 12th Terrace. This project will provide Oakland Park with a modern Public Works operations facility and Emergency Operations Center to continue to deliver quality services. By consolidating Public Works operations and relocating services from NE 5th Avenue to NE 12th Terrace, the City will free up five acres of land on NE 5th Avenue that will be converted to green space.
During a recent meeting, the City Commission approved plans to move forward with a new Community Garden on the vacant City lot adjacent to Dr. Carter G. Woodson Park. The garden is part of a two-phase project that will include improvements to Dr. Carter G. Woodson Park at 3490 NE 3rd Avenue in Harlem McBride. The City has secured over $175,000 in grants to completely fund phase one, which will include raised garden beds, fencing, and a new pathway. Phase two will include improvements to Dr. Carter G. Woodson Park, including a new asphalt parking lot, a new rubberized playground surface, and improvements to lighting, playground equipment, and landscaping. This will be the third park in the center of the City to see recent improvements. Phase one of the new two-acre City Park opened in October, and construction of a new dog park and other improvements are underway at Richard E. Giusti Heart Par Cours. Work on the Community Garden is expected to begin in April.
The City Commission approved various improvements to Lloyd Estates Park on NW 5th Avenue and NW 35th Street. The City will work with Rep Services to remove the existing mulch and replace it with a fun, rubberized surface. Other improvements to the neighborhood park will include new seating, picnic tables, and trash receptacles. The majority of improvements will be funded through a grant from the Florida Recreation Development Assistant Program. Upgrades to Lloyd Estates are part of a citywide effort to build for Oakland Park’s second century and provide quality amenities to residents throughout the community.
