Fort Lauderdale leaders are weighing a proposal to build a new City Hall that could cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars, with a key vote set for Tuesday night.<\/p>\n
The plan calls for a 14-story building in Downtown Fort Lauderdale<\/a> that could house nearly 600 employees. While the construction cost is estimated at about $268 million, financing over 30 years would bring the total cost to nearly $725 million.<\/p>\n Fort Lauderdale residents push back on rising cost of proposed City Hall<\/p>\n That price tag is drawing sharp criticism from some residents.<\/p>\n “We don’t need that glass menagerie or whatever it’s supposed to be. We don’t need that as an iconic building. We need a functional nice-looking City Hall building in Downtown Fort Lauderdale,” said Ted Inserra, president of the River Oaks Civic Association<\/a>.<\/p>\n Inserra said the city is already committed to several major long-term projects and cannot afford another costly undertaking.<\/p>\n “The price is astronomical. We already have so many major projects going on in the city of Fort Lauderdale that we’re committed to for years down the road,” he said.<\/p>\n Supporters of the project argue the long-term cost is being mischaracterized.<\/p>\n “It’s very unfair that I’m seeing this argument, ‘Oh my gosh, we’re building a $700 million City Hall.’ No we’re not, we’re building a $240 million City Hall,” Commissioner Steve Glassman said.<\/p>\n Glassman also said the proposal includes a deal in which the developer would take on maintenance and operational costs, potentially saving the city money over time.<\/p>\n Commissioners split as alternatives and developer deal debated<\/p>\n When asked who would cover major repairs, such as a future air conditioning failure, Glassman said, “Right now under this proposal that we’re moving forward with, the developer team.”<\/p>\n Not all commissioners are convinced.<\/p>\n “I will continue to push for us to take a hard look at the other options,” Commissioner John Herbst said.<\/p>\n Herbst pointed to two existing downtown buildings available for purchase, one listed at $86 million and another at $122 million, as more cost-effective alternatives. However, those options have not gained much traction with the commission.<\/p>\n “I think this is just fiscally irresponsible on our behalf, if nothing else,” Herbst said. “We’ve been without a City Hall for so long, this is something that I think we could hit pause.”<\/p>\n The Fort Lauderdale City Commission is scheduled to meet Tuesday night to vote on whether to enter a preliminary agreement with the developer.\u00a0<\/p>\n If approved, construction could begin next year, with completion targeted for fall 2029.<\/p>\n