Brief Description
The Civic Commons District of Downtown Pompano Beach is anchored by the Cultural Center/Library and City Hall. The majority of the land is owned by the City and the placement of the existing buildings offers tremendous development opportunity. A high density, commercial district with an emphasis on cultural and civic uses is envisioned. Educational facilities, hotels or even residential uses are compatible with the surrounding area.
Groundwork Laid for Civic Commons
- $24 million Cultural Center and Library featuring children’s services, new materials collection, computer lab, multi- purpose room, and library offices / support spaces.
- The current realignment of the Atlantic Boulevard/Dixie Highway intersection, is the infrastructure necessary to ensure a safe, pedestrian friendly experience connecting the Civic Commons District with the Old Town Entertainment District.
City / CRA Investment
- $67,500 CRA funds for a cultural facility study to analyze the feasibility of a cultural venue on top of the library
- $737,000 of CRA funds for the preliminary design for the center
- $1.19 million in CRA funds for infrastructure around the Cultural Center
- $19.25 million of City funds for design and construction of the Cultural Center
Public Benefits
- The first all-purpose state of the art cultural facility open to residents and visitors
- Access to multi-cultural programs and activities for the residents
- A new brand for Pompano Beach that catapulted the City into the national spotlight with the iconic design
- Provide the City with a stellar amenity for improved quality of life for residents
How it Will Happen
The next phase of development will include marketing the remaining vacant parcels as well as reconfiguring the City Hall parking lots into Downtown urban development projects.
Civic Campus Phase I - Public Library/Cultural Center
Phase I of the Civic Campus project consisted of the construction of a new two-story 46,000 sq. ft. county library and a City owned Cultural Center including green space. The building is located at the intersection of Atlantic Boulevard and SW 1st Avenue, adjacent to the Pompano Beach City Hall. The Public Library component features children’s services, new materials collection, computer lab, multi-purpose room, and library offices / support spaces. The Cultural Center component features a public lobby, digital media suite, offices, gallery, and a flexible multi-purpose event space and support spaces (dressing rooms, lobby space, etc.). The project was completed in April 2017.
City / CRA Investment
- $67,500 CRA funds for a cultural facility study to analyze the feasibility of a cultural venue on top of the library
- $737,000 of CRA funds for the preliminary design for the center
- $1.19 million in CRA funds for infrastructure around the Cultural Center
- $19.25 million of City funds for design and construction of the Cultural Center
Public Benefits
- The first all-purpose state of the art cultural facility open to residents and visitors
- Access to multi-cultural programs and activities for the residents
- A new brand for Pompano Beach that catapulted the City into the national spotlight with the iconic design
- Provided the City with a stellar amenity for improved quality of life for residents
How it Happened
- The CRA encouraged the City to embrace culture as a redevelopment strategy because cities with a strong cultural presence are healthier economically
- The County had long since planned a library but the project was stagnant. RMA assumed management of the project and through the CRA hired William Webb & Associates to determine the feasibility of a Cultural Center.
- An agreement was negotiated between the CRA, the City and Broward County to fund the new Public Library and Cultural Center, including infrastructure improvements.
- On October 30, 2014, a groundbreaking ceremony was celebrated with a Grand Opening celebration on May 11, 2017.
