Commission defers advertising for $5 million Howard Forman complex expansion to review priorities

The Pembroke Pines City Commission on April 2 voted unanimously to defer advertising solicitations for the Phase 2 renovation of the Pulp Building at the Howard Forman Human Services Complex, a project described in the meeting as approaching $5 million.

Commissioner Goode moved to defer the item and urged staff to evaluate the project against the city's strategic-plan priorities. "When I look at this project, I see that Phase 2 is nearly $5,000,000 in cost… I would like to ask my colleagues that we kind of defer this particular award … and give the city manager an opportunity to see what that $5,000,000 could do if it was reprioritized," Goode said.

City Manager Dodge told the commission the item before them was limited to advertising for design and procurement and that if the city proceeds with design, having plans completed would make the project shovel-ready and help with grant opportunities. "This basically comes under utilities… there might be a possibility down the road for grants. And it would be what you consider a shovel ready project," Dodge said.

After debate, the motion to defer (seconded by the vice mayor) passed by voice vote with no recorded roll call. The commission did not cancel the project; the recorded action was a deferral to allow staff to present funding options and to consider the city's strategic priorities before moving forward with advertising or contracting.