Building of Town Square to begin
Construction for Boynton police station, city hall, library set for March and April
Boynton Beach residents should prepare to see some major construction south of Ocean Avenue as the city starts building Town Square in the coming months.
The city is poised to begin building public portions of the project, such as the new police station, city hall and library, in March and April.
If all goes according to plan, a downtown bustling with shops, high-rises and more than 1,000 new apartments could begin to crystallize on 16.5 acres just east of Interstate 95 by early- to mid-2019, according to Assistant City Manager Colin Groff.
“We’re getting close to having a balanced project to meet the goals of the city,” he said.
Some of the plans may still change as officials receive input from the public and from the City Commission, he said. But staff intends to present a final budget for the project next month, detailing how the city will fund the public buildings’ construction.
The public portion of the project is now expected to cost about $133 million because of additions such as increased parking spaces and a district energy plant that will promote green energy, bringing the project total to about $280 million.
Private developers, who will pitch in more than $150 million to build apartment buildings and other private residences, will be able to use the public amenities, so the city money will be replenished through private funds, he said.
The project will provide between 600 and 800 residential units, which could house 1,500 people, he said.
Officials also boast of ground level retail, a six-story hotel, three parking garages and at least three parks.
After staff presents the final budget on Dec. 5, Groff said he hopes to sign off on final contracts for the entire project in January, paving the way for construction to begin.
The city has already started restoring the old high school building, which will be turned into a cultural center for city events.
Once the south end of the project nears completion, demolition will begin for the portion north of Ocean Avenue.