Palatka staff to contract for Jenkins Center build‑out estimates before committing museum operating support

City staff told the Palatka City Commission on July 23 that approximately $134,730 in city funds remains available in support of Jenkins Community Center improvements and could be applied toward building a museum space at the center, but staff emphasized that the city does not yet have a firm estimate for full build‑out costs.

“Right now, as it relates to the $134,730 that remains in city funding … if the commission so deems it appropriate to build the space out for the museum,” Interim City Manager Cynthia W. Curry said, staff should first retain professional services to develop a cost estimate. Curry told the commission earlier grant support and a city match had brought Jenkins improvements to roughly $1.0M in total allocations, with the original grant awarded July 2021.

During questions, staff described work already completed and remaining items that the balance would support: fence installation, guest Wi‑Fi drop stations, replacement doors, signage and selective flooring, as well as estimates for an engineer or planner to scope build‑out work. Staff shared earlier quotes for the scoping work that ranged from about $30,000 to $65,000–$75,000 depending on scope.

Given lingering questions about exact build‑out costs and what operating dollars the museum would require, commissioners signaled consensus to move forward with issuing a professional‑services contract (Pacero was referenced) to determine construction and build‑out costs and return with recommendations. Curry said staff will hold off on committing annual operating support to the museum until the commission reviews the cost and timing.