Pines breaks ground on civic center after delay
New city hall part of $58 million project
PEMBROKE PINES — The symbolic tossing of dirt has been delayed for years, but on Monday the groundbreaking for the city’s new civic center finally happened.
“This is something that has been in the works now for about 10 years…” said Vice Mayor Iris A. Siple, speaking to a crowd of about 100 people sitting under tents set about 300 yards off 10600 Pines Boulevard.
“All I can say is, I’m very glad it took us a long time to get to this point, because I think good things come to those who wait.”
A red carpet was laid out to welcome people to the tents. After Mayor Frank Ortis and several other elected officials spoke, they donned hard hats and grabbed a shovel. In unison they tossed sand. And then lunch was served as huge construction vehicles pounded earth nearby.
Monday’s ceremonial groundbreaking marks a significant turn as construction goes into full swing on the $58 million center, the cornerstone of a ambitious project to build a downtown area with something for everyone, from entertainment venues to offices, retail and park space and hundreds of residential units.
For years there was debate among commissioners and other city officials about what should be placed at the 80-acre site, and then came the recession, which put the brakes on plans just at a time when everything was coming into focus. Since 2008, the site has remained shovel ready — with water and sewage lines, roads and landscaping — but dormant as developers were reluctant to take on major projects in the weak economy.
When the economy started showing signs of recovery, interest in the project returned. Many of the residential units have been built or are in the process of being built. The next phase will include the construction of commercial and retail space on land closer to Pines Boulevard.
The civic center will contain a 3,500 seat auditorium and conference space suited for trade shows or conventions. City Hall will also relocate to the civic center, which Stiles Construction has been hired to build. The civic center is expected to be finished by the end of 2016. Officials predict it will attract concerts, plays and college graduations, among other events, and that the downtown area will become a favorite destination spot.
“It is going to be the place to visit,” Ortis said.