Pembroke Pines Sells 41 Acres For 'City Center' Development

Since 2006 it’s been a sort of ghost town at Pines Boulevard and Palm Avenue, a fenced-off area with sidewalks, roads and a clock tower– but no buildings, activity or people.

Now the city is selling 41 acres of what it envisions as its city center, and construction of a walkable residential, retail, entertainment and office district could begin as early next year.

The contract allows for up to 265,000 square feet of retail space, up to 120,000 square feet of office space, up to 700 residential units, and up to 350 hotel units. By comparison, Pembroke Gardens is a total of 400,000 square feet.

Developer Turnberry Associates said it is too soon to discuss tenants or what the center might look like. But there is a vibe for the development that the city and Turnberry agree on, said Vice Mayor Jay Schwartz.

“For the residents who have experienced the Shops at Pembroke Gardens, City Center will be that and much more,” he said. “More green space, shopping, entertainment, office space, it is going to have a look and feel of work by day, entertainment by night.”

The new project could resemble the “Destin Commons” in Destin, said John Kurry, general counsel for Turnberry. Fountains, flowers, awnings, wide sidewalks, palm trees and playgrounds surround shops, including Steve Madden, Kay Jewelers and a Hardrock Café, in the Destin Commons.

That’s the kind of vision Pembroke Pines has had for this parcel and surrounding parcels since it bought 80 total acres and spent $40 million to put in sidewalks, roads and a clock tower.

Commissioners unanimously approved a sale contract to Turnberry Associates earlier this month and will consider the contract for final approval in early August. The city will see a profit. The land and improvements cost almost $63 million. Sale of the parcels, if this contract gains final approval, would be more than $66 million. The city also projects getting $3 million to $5 million in tax revenue from the center per year once it is up and running.

With Turnberry’s purchase, development has either begun or will soon begin on almost all of the 80-acre area. One part has already been developed into 700 apartment units by Mill Creek Residential. The Related Group is also developing 365 apartments on 11 acres.

Another parcel will be used for the new city hall and civic center, a $58 million project with a flexible-space theater and banquet hall. The city has hired Stiles Construction to design and build the civic center. It will be paid for with funds from the sale of land Pembroke Pines no longer needs, and from a 2006 general obligation bond that has not yet been fully spent.

The final parcel for development, in the northeast corner of the future City Center, is where the current City Hall sits. The city may sell that to Turnberry at a later time, and it would become a hotel and more office space.

 
Source:  SunSentinel