The City of Tallahassee is moving forward with a new police station after its projected cost has ballooned to 135 million dollars.
The original estimate was 46 million in 2018. The number grew to 60 million in 2020. The project size and scope are being significantly reduced from initial plans after the COVID-19 pandemic caused rampant nationwide cost inflation. The 135 million doesn’t include the 30 million already spent to acquire the 29.5 plot and make ground-level improvements to prepare it for development.
During a City Commission meeting Wednesday, City Manager Reese Goad said that the project’s current price is an estimate, and will not be finalized until project designs are completed over the next few months.
“The price that we’re showing today is at estimate at 60% design. We got a little bit to go before we get to a point where we can get hard bids and convert that to a contract that then the contractor becomes responsible for any inflationary cost increases or changes,” he said.
All five city commissioners support moving forward with the project, but questions remain about how the rest of the plot will be used. A previous idea to build a performing arts center fell through months ago. Some have talked about building affordable housing in the area.
Commissioners Jeremy Matlow and Jack Porter expressed concern that segments of the plot would be bought by private developers. Matlow says he wants future planning for the parcels to still be publicly owned and used for public services, like for a city-owned daycare.
“The entire, entirety of North Monroe is gonna get redeveloped in the next 50 years. There's plenty of space for the private sector to buy in and be a part of the investment we're making. But I very strongly believe that we need to slow 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 type of businesses would be there if the city does decide to sell parcels.
“All of these type of items will come up through the process as we move forward with final design. And I think they're very valid. What does it look like,” he said.
Goad said those conversations would likely take place after construction of the police station begins. Construction is projected to start in November of this year.