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Fortify Lauderdale Phase 2 ranked; city warns rising costs push combined Phase 1–2 above $1.5 billion
Summary
Consultants presented rankings for 12 Phase 2 stormwater projects using a 75/25 model/neighborhood weighting; staff said Phase 1 projects are roughly $450M and Phase 2 pushes combined costs past $1.5B, with an approximate 10‑year program depending on funding and limited P3 use considered.
Public Works Director Brad Kane and consultant Rob Taylor (Hazen & Sawyer) presented the methodology and results for Fortify Lauderdale Phase 2 neighborhood stormwater projects. The evaluation combined a model‑driven level‑of‑service score (weighted 75%) and neighborhood/FEMA feedback (25%) and produced a ranked list of 12 projects. Kane said the first three projects separate themselves in score, while the middle five are tightly grouped and may benefit from qualitative adjustments.
Taylor explained the level‑of‑service score emphasizes flooded structures (60%) and flooded roadways (40%) and said neighborhood feedback was further weighted with FEMA repetitive‑loss data. He urged commissioners to consider qualitative factors — spatial distribution, cumulative construction impacts, and project size/cost — when ordering closely scored projects.
Kane and staff gave a high‑level cost update: Phase 1 projects are now projected at about $450 million; Phase 2 projects increase the total program cost with combined Phase 1 and 2 “tipping the scale” at roughly $1.5 billion. Staff estimated a working timeframe of about 10 years for implementation, subject to bond and funding availability, and described a possible three‑year cadence of funding injections (roughly $330M, then $350M, then $350M in successive three‑year blocks). The mayor and commissioners pressed for options to accelerate delivery, including limited P3 arrangements; staff said P3 could be part of a mix but should not be relied on for most of the program.
Neighbors from Poinsettia Heights and River Oaks urged faster schedules and cautioned about contractor selection and construction impacts. Staff said several Phase 1 neighborhoods are complete or near completion, that Victoria Park bid awards are pending, and that staff would refine schedules and consider suggested qualitative criteria.
Next steps: staff to evaluate adding qualitative filters to closely scored projects, continue funding planning and return with more specific sequencing, cost breakdowns and potential financing scenarios.
