MULBERRY, Fla. — The city of Mulberry is moving forward with a multimillion-dollar municipal complex, but getting it built may take longer than expected.

What You Need To Know

Mulberry is continuing plans for a $30 million municipal complex, but construction will take longer than originally expected

The city can currently borrow only $13 million, causing leaders to build the project in phases
Officals say the plan to build the complex in phases prevents putting a financial burden for residents and businesses

City commissioners approved the budget for the $30 million project in 2024 to replace the current city hall building. Right now, several departments share nearly 8,000 square feet of space with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

“So we are, in a sense, outgrowing the current city hall,” Interim City Manager Juana Ayala said.

Ayala says the municipal complex will help better serve the community’s growing needs. She says the site, located on East Canal Street, will be split into three buildings. It will include a new city hall, cultural center, a civic center, a museum and a sheriff’s office substation.

While the original goal was to complete construction all at once, Ayala says the bank limited how much the city can borrow.

“The bank did provide us with a notice that says, ‘Currently, we can only provide the city with $13 million.’ So then that’s when the discussion came into play on what does $13 million get us?” she said.

Leaders ultimately agreed to build the project in phases over the next few years, starting with the city hall building. Ayala says this was the best option without creating a financial burden for residents and businesses.

“And what does that mean? That means raising property tax, raising the water and utility rates, reducing current programs. We don’t want to do that,” she said. “And that’s why the commission is really looking into what are options — what can we do. We want to see this project succeed. We think it’s a really good project for our city. We just want to make sure that we’re taking the right steps.”

Across the street, the owner of Haircutters International, David Steiner, agrees with the city’s decision.

“Hitting the people with more money right now… I think they should back it down. Do one at a time,” he said.

In the meantime, city officials say they’re still working to bring the municipal complex to life. Ayala says it’s all about doing it at the right time.

“To ensure that we’re not going backwards.”

City leaders plan to start construction on the municipal complex once they approve the bank loan. Then, Ayala expects the city hall building to be completed sometime next year.