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County readies ground breakings: North County service center GMP, Palm Harbor rec center award
Summary
Pinellas County staff presented final GMP and schedule for the North County service center (one‑stop consolidation; ~79,000 sq ft, ~380 garage spaces; inhabitables ~$531/ft²) and recommended awarding Palm Harbor Recreation Center additions to Diaz Fritz (shelter capacity ~498). Both projects are within penny funding allocations and scheduled for substantial completion in 2027.
County construction staff on Tuesday asked commissioners to confirm readiness to approve two long‑planned penny projects: a consolidated North County service center and an expanded Palm Harbor Recreation Center with shelter capacity.
Bill Greer, director of vertical construction and property management, said the North County project consolidates three county functions (tax collector, property appraiser, clerk) into a single service center and has reached a final guaranteed maximum price that fits the capital penny budget. Greer said the inhabitable portion of the campus is priced at about $531 per square foot (parking garage excluded), with an anticipated ground breaking in May and substantial completion in 2027. He described project features including backup generation, central energy plant and roughly 380 parking garage spaces.
Staff said current county facilities equate to about 60,000 square feet including leased space and the new facility will be roughly 79,000 square feet to accommodate consolidated functions and reduce ongoing lease costs.
On the Palm Harbor Recreation Center, staff recommended awarding the contract to Diaz Fritz (lowest responsive, responsible bidder) for an addition that includes shelter capability for approximately 498 people, full kitchen, backup power and strengthened wind standards (designed for 170‑mph winds). The project is within the CIP penny allocation and carries an all‑in estimated cost roughly comparable to the North County service center (~$530/ft² including FF&E).
Commissioners asked technical and site questions including bollard vehicle barriers, space for the Supervisor of Elections, orientation to County Road 19, precast vs tilt‑wall construction, and flood zone status; staff confirmed bollards and site security infrastructure and said the project team had considered program needs and lease arrangements for affected tenants.
Both projects will return to the commission with formal GMP and contract award actions on the upcoming docket.
