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Winter Haven reviews unsolicited proposal for 292-space downtown parking garage under P3 statute
Summary
City staff presented an unsolicited public–private partnership proposal from 6 10 for a 292-space downtown parking structure; commissioners debated leasing limits, overnight parking and funding sources and will consider a resolution and publish the report in the Florida Administrative Register before negotiations begin.
City staff on Dec. 3 outlined an unsolicited public–private partnership proposal from a private proposer for a 292-space downtown parking structure and asked the commission to make public-interest findings required by Florida Statutes §255.065 (the P3 statute).
The city manager said the proposal includes an application fee of $25,000 and would be built on property currently owned in part by Urban Action LLC. "The public benefit of this is the increase of 292 public parking spaces," staff said, describing the project as representing roughly 21% of downtown core parking identified in the city's study.
City Attorney John reminded commissioners that the city's existing ordinance O2247 restricts leases of parking-structure spaces to no more than 10% unless the commission approves otherwise. "Ordinances can be changed by commission," John said, but added that a mere resolution authorizing negotiations would not bind future commissions to a leasing cap.
Commissioners pressed staff on several points: whether privately controlled spaces could be leased long-term or used for overnight or resident parking; how public bonds and transportation funds would be applied; the role of financing and developer agreements; and how public comments submitted at an earlier meeting had been considered. Staff said approximately $4.5 million remains available in a construction/transportation fund that could be a source of local contribution but that any final financial commitments would be defined in a later comprehensive agreement.
Under the process described by staff, if the commission approves the resolution at its next duly noticed meeting the city would publish the report in the Florida Administrative Register for seven days and the city manager would be authorized to negotiate a comprehensive agreement for later commission approval. No final vote on a comprehensive agreement took place at tonight's agenda review.
The commission directed staff to bring the P3 resolution and supporting materials forward at the public meeting scheduled for Dec. 8 so the body can make the statutory findings and consider authorizing negotiations. If approved, the comprehensive agreement and any developer guarantees, timelines and lease terms would return to the commission for public consideration and a vote.
