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Commission hires Ziskovich Architects for city‑center visioning and Wawa site affordable‑housing study
Summary
The City Commission approved two Ziskovich Architects proposals: a $299,250 strategic and master‑planning contract for a downtown study area and a $104,500 study of the city‑owned parcel behind the Wawa plaza to develop up to three affordable‑housing options.
North Lauderdale, Fla. — The City Commission on Feb. 11 approved two professional‑services proposals with Ziskovich Architects to develop a strategic plan and master plan options for a proposed city center and to evaluate affordable‑housing alternatives for a city‑owned parcel behind the Wawa plaza.
The larger scope, approved for up to $299,250, directs Ziskovich to produce a strategic vision and master‑plan alternatives for a roughly 20‑acre downtown study area (the commission and staff noted the full combined property area is approximately 26.3 acres but that the water plant and a school parcel are excluded from the study boundary). That work will include visual materials for public workshops and a master plan that staff can use to solicit a coordinating master‑planning consultant.
A second resolution authorizes up to $104,500 for Ziskovich to prepare up to three affordable‑housing design options for the city‑owned parcel northwest of the Wawa plaza (behind Dunkin’/Wendy’s), including engineering evaluations of drainage and retention needs.
Why the studies were requested
Commissioners and staff said they want professional technical work that converts the mayor’s vision for a downtown into concrete, fundable options that can attract private developers. The Wawa parcel study is intended to test whether the site can accommodate affordable housing — and, if so, what unit mix, access and drainage solutions would be feasible.
What commissioners asked for next
Commissioners asked staff to confirm the exact study area acreage, to coordinate Ziskovich’s work with an ongoing JLL market/real‑estate study for affordable housing, and to present draft deliverables and public‑workshop dates. The commission also directed the city attorney to include signature pages so the mayor and city manager can sign the two project resolutions.
Speakers
City Manager Sargent presented the contracts and explained that the city piggybacked Ziskovich’s pricing off an existing City of Aventura contract. Community Development Director Hernandez described the planning scope and noted the planning and zoning board earlier recommended safety measures for other projects referenced that evening.
Ending
The two planning studies aim to create a technical foundation for redevelopment and housing decisions. Staff said the first public‑facing workshops and a kickoff schedule will be provided to the commission after contracts are fully executed.
