West Palm Beach approves $35 million Curry Park redevelopment; contract with West Construction passes 4-1

The West Palm Beach City Commission on Jan. 6 approved three linked measures that together fully fund and award the Curry Park redevelopment project, including a contribution agreement with the Community Redevelopment Agency and a $35 million construction contract. The motions passed 4–1 after a debate over the award to West Construction.

The commission voted to approve resolution 17-25 (the contribution agreement between the city and the CRA), resolution 16-25F (an appropriation/transfer to amend the fiscal year 2024–25 capital acquisition budget) and resolution 18-25 (award of the construction contract to West Construction). The package includes approximately $35 million in project funding, of which staff said $8,100,000 is an advance from the city’s general fund to the CRA to cover a gap in financing.

City Administrator Fay Johnson and Engineering Director Kevin Volprich presented the items and told commissioners the city received three bids, with West Construction the low, responsive bidder under the city’s procurement code. Volprich said West Construction has an ongoing relationship with the city, including the Gains Park Community Center renovation, and that staff would assign experienced project managers to Curry Park.

The project relies in part on federal and state grant funds. The city attorney and procurement staff said federal grant terms require selection of the lowest responsive bidder unless a defensible reason is shown; staff applied section 6671 of the procurement code in determining responsiveness. The procurement official reported no disqualifying prior convictions that would render West Construction nonresponsive.

The selection prompted concern from Commissioner Fox, who said she could not support committing taxpayers’ money while questions about a company executive remained unresolved. “I cannot support putting $35,000,000 of our taxpayers' dollars towards a company that I don't even know is gonna be in business in to finish this project,” Fox said. Other commissioners and staff said the issue involved individual executives, not the company; staff provided a continuity/succession plan intended to ensure the company could complete the project if leadership changed.

Commissioner Baduosi said staff’s assurances and the company’s local track record made her comfortable moving forward. President Ward noted the difference between an indictment or charge and a conviction and stressed that the firm itself is not under indictment. After discussion the package of resolutions was moved and seconded and passed 4–1.

The city attorney reminded the commission the funding approvals must be in place before any agreement is executed by the CRA; staff confirmed sequencing would follow that requirement. Staff also told the commission they would continue careful project management because the redevelopment is complex and involves multiple funding sources.

Vote tally reported by the commission: Yes — 4; No — 1. (Commissioner Fox stated she would not support the contract; the roll-call breakdown was not read into the record.)

The commission’s approvals allow staff to finalize the contribution agreement, complete required grant compliance steps, and issue a notice to proceed to the contractor once all conditions are met.

Why it matters: Curry Park is a major capital project that combines bond funds, grants and city gap funding; construction delays or a contractor failure would carry financial and schedule risks and affect neighborhood expectations.