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Pembroke Park officials ask state delegation for $500,000 to design three‑story community center
Summary
Town consultants asked the commission to seek $500,000 in state funding for design of an 18,000‑square‑foot multipurpose community center that would include emergency shelter space, a commercial kitchen and a gymnasium; demolition of a dilapidated park building was discussed as part of the plan.
Pembroke Park consultants told the town commission they will ask the municipal delegation in Tallahassee to support a $500,000 design appropriation for a proposed multipurpose community center that town leaders say would fill a long‑standing gap.
The town’s lobbyist, David Sigerson, and government‑relations consultant Connie Benash outlined the proposal during the meeting. “Pembroke Park does not have a community center,” Sigerson said, and the $500,000 request would pay for design of an 18,000‑square‑foot building, laid out as three 6,000‑square‑foot stories.
The consultants said the facility is being planned to serve multiple needs: community recreation and services, a commercial kitchen, gymnasium space and a designated emergency evacuation and shelter function. “This will the 500,000 is for the design just to get the ball rolling on it,” Sigerson said.
Why it matters: Commission members and town consultants framed the project as both a community amenity and an emergency‑management asset. Sigerson said he discussed the proposal with Representative Marie Woodson and that Woodson indicated she would support the effort in the current legislative cycle.
Details and next steps: Consultants estimated total construction costs in the low‑millions range if the town pursues the full three‑story design. Commissioners discussed removing an existing deteriorated pink building in the park to free the site for the project; staff said that structure is not designated historic and is termite damaged. The commission gave staff direction to pursue the design request and to advance discussions with the delegation and state agencies about funding. No formal appropriation or construction contract was approved at the meeting.
Community impact and implementation: Consultants said the design funding would enable the town to meet state criteria for larger capital requests and to pursue additional construction funding in future legislative cycles. The consultants also noted the building could be used as an emergency shelter and for parks and recreation programming. Town staff indicated they will return with more detailed cost estimates and a plan for site preparation and demolition work.
The commission did not take a final funding vote; the ask will be advanced through the town’s lobbyists and state delegation advocacy in Tallahassee.
