Pembroke Pines keeps $60 million public-safety reserve while exploring design-build police station, staff says

City Manager Tim Dodge told the Pembroke Pines City Commission on March 19 that staff recommends keeping a $60,000,000 restricted fund earmarked for public safety while the city pursues alternative funding and a design‑build procurement for a proposed police station.

Dodge said the city’s consultants and staff have identified about $290,000,000 in projects tied to earlier master plans and the strategic plan, and that roughly $60,000,000 of those funds are already in a restricted account. He told commissioners the previous architect’s estimate for a consolidated public‑safety facility was $110,000,000 and that a design‑build solicitation would give the city a firm “hard cost” within about 12 months.

The recommendation follows an overview of the strategic plan and a series of citizen town halls held while staff developed project lists for transportation, parks, economic development and community facilities. Dodge said staff is not asking for a vote but for direction and…