Adam RollinsThe city of North Port, Florida, is pursuing new options to fund three critical infrastructure projects through a public-private partnership (P3).
After voters rejected bond issues for the projects earlier this year, the North Port commissioners directed the city manager to find and carry out alternative methods to get the projects underway. P3s were determined to be the most feasible approach, enabling the city to jumpstart the projects in conjunction with private partners.
The projects slated that would be completed as part of a P3 agreement include the construction of a police headquarters, solid waste transfer facility and upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant. The city will further examine an unsolicited proposal from a private company regarding the projects’ design and construction before finalizing plans.
Should the city approve the agreement, construction on the $126.7 million police station headquarters would begin in November of this year. The building would be three stories tall, with nearby structures including a lobby, generator, dumpster enclosure, K9 support area and fuel station. Additional features include an evidence impound, SRT and vehicle up-fit garage, parking areas, a ceremony garden and site retention area.
The proposal details that the wastewater facility expansion and renovation project would cost approximately $18.5 million, and construction on the solid waste transfer station would total $15.2 million. Project timelines were not included as part of the proposal.
Signing off on the P3 would provide North Port with the required financial support and flexibility needed to get these critical projects off the ground. The city would then later pay rent on its own facilities once they are fully operational.
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