Pompano Beach Seeks Master Developer For Downtown Innovation District
The city of Pompano Beach, Florida, along with its Community Redevelopment Agency, is looking for a developer to create a master plan and redevelop its downtown.
“We are seeking developers who understand our goals for the area, offer experience in prior projects of this scope and have the financial capability to undertake this project,” CRA Director Nguyen Tran, said in a statement. “Over the past 20 years, the Northwest CRA has assembled over 30 acres of land within the almost 70-acre Innovation District. Most developable parcels are generally located along the busy I-95 corridor and Atlantic Boulevard, making this one of the last prime development opportunities of its kind in South Florida.”
A new master plan could include 750K SF of office/flex space, 165K of retail, 1,500 residential units, up to 420 hotel rooms, 35K SF of restaurants, a new governmental complex and possibly educational facilities. Applicants should submit letters of interest by July 10. After that, select applicants will be asked to submit full proposals.
In recent years, the city has invested in arts assets such as the Pompano Beach Cultural Center, Bailey Contemporary Arts and Historic Ali Cultural Arts, and would like to see those used as anchors, with improved pedestrian access between them.
The CRA is also interested in having a unique and aesthetically pleasing drainage system, "possibly using linear waterway systems that create a visible and desirable asset for development parcels, much like the waterways in Amsterdam in the Netherlands, and San Antonio, Texas (from a visual perspective)," according to a statement.
Pompano had long worked with an outside consultant, RMA, to develop its beachfront into a "fishing village," with new restaurants, retail and a Hilton hotel. RMA reportedly terminated that deal last year, complaining of a “hostile environment” at CRA meetings, while officials accused RMA of ethical breaches.
A lawsuit between the city and county over funding of the CRA into the future was settled last year. According to Point Publishing, the current focus on a dense downtown is partly a result of that suit:
"After fiscal year 2019, the NW CRA will only receive tax-generated revenues from the city, not the county. A settlement amount totaling $13.75 million will be paid to the CRA over a period of six years. At the time, Kim Briesemeister, head of the company then overseeing the CRA, said the funds will be focused on developing the 70-acre Innovation District in downtown, which is where the city believes they are most likely to generate the greatest economic development and revenue, instead of spreading that money over the entire 3,000-acre NW CRA."
Interested parties should register on the city's eBid system, where they can download more details.
