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Dade City approves voluntary agreement with Florida Hospital to build Morningside Drive
Summary
The Dade City Commission approved a voluntary acquisition and construction agreement with Florida Hospital (AdventHealth) that donates land for Morningside Drive and provides a parking cure for the hospital; the measure passed 5–0. The project includes a new roundabout, stormwater infrastructure and phased construction to avoid disrupting hospital operations.
Dade City commissioners on Thursday unanimously approved a voluntary acquisition and construction agreement with Florida Hospital (AdventHealth) that will allow the city to build Morningside Drive, a new roundabout and supporting infrastructure.
The agreement, presented by city counsel Mr. Brackens, transfers multiple parcels to the city (shown in blue and green on the project exhibits) by donation from the hospital, while the hospital retains certain parcels shown in purple. In exchange the city will convey Parcel 114 (orange on the exhibit) to the hospital to replace parking the hospital will lose to the road project. "Everything you see that's in color today is owned by Florida Hospital," Mr. Brackens said while reviewing the maps; he added, "we are agreeing as a city to cure their loss of parking." The presenters also described easements and harmonizing parcels to accommodate the work.
AdventHealth Dade City CEO Shane Bedward told commissioners the project is meant to preserve and protect hospital operations during construction and to improve emergency access. "We care for the 25,000 people that come through our ERs every single day and growing," Bedward said, stressing the need to avoid any closure during construction and noting the hospital team was "ready to go ahead and officially sign" the agreement.
City and hospital engineers described a phased approach: demolition in targeted areas, construction of a stormwater pond sized to serve both the new roadway and the hospital's existing and planned development, temporary access points for deliveries, replacement parking areas and an expanded emergency‑room entrance. Presenters said the stormwater design was permitted to serve the hospital parcel as it exists today and as it expands in the future.
Commissioners asked questions and heard brief remarks from hospital counsel Camille McLean and other participants who thanked both sides for the collaborative negotiation. The commission then approved the agreement on a 5–0 roll-call vote.
The approval authorizes the city to accept the donated parcels and to proceed with the preliminary design and phased construction; presenters said the agreement is voluntary and avoids eminent domain. Staff indicated additional design and construction steps, permitting and coordination with hospital operations will follow before construction begins.
The commission did not provide a dollar figure for the city or hospital transfers during the meeting. The measure passed 5–0; staff and hospital representatives said they will continue coordination to finalize scheduling and construction details.
