City staff to deliver initial city‑hall feasibility findings in June, deeper analysis by July

Fort Lauderdale city staff told commissioners on May 5 they are evaluating three existing properties — Tower 101, One East Broward and the Federal Courthouse — alongside continued talks with a developer proposing a new‑build option for a future city hall.

Quinton Pew, assistant city manager, said Jacobs is serving as the city’s owner’s representative for a high‑level assessment covering property condition, structural considerations, MEP, spatial needs and preliminary cost estimates. Jacobs told staff it needs roughly six to eight weeks to deliver a high‑level report; if the commission asks for deeper technical work on a single building, additional investigative work could require 45–60 more days.

Staff has already ordered appraisals for the three properties and asked GSA for any due‑diligence materials on the federal courthouse; those appraisals were expected in advance of the June 2 meeting. Pew said the goal is to provide initial findings to the commission in June and a more substantial package by July 2, with the caveat that some elements of the scope could be refined to meet earlier deadlines.

Commission discussion focused on scope and sequencing: commissioners asked that Jacobs be given the community’s previously developed space program (the infrastructure task force and ULI recommendations) so consultants can test whether existing buildings can meet those program requirements and at what cost. Staff said they would provide the commission a side‑by‑side comparison of space needs and the high‑level physical analyses Jacobs produces.

Next steps: Jacobs will complete the high‑level assessment, staff will compile appraisals and GSA materials, and the commission will receive a preliminary update on June 2 with a more complete package anticipated July 2.

This article is drawn from the commission’s May 5 transcript of the Fort Lauderdale City Commission conference meeting.