Florida Construction News staff writer
The City of Miami Beach has held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of renovations on a 74-year-old lodge at Flamingo Park.
Commissioners awarded the $1 million construction contract to AVR Contractors, Corp. in December 2023. Construction is expected to be completed in 2025.
The renovated 1,730-square-foot structure in South Beach will be used for community and recreational programs as well as a possible concession space once the work is complete.
“This building originally served as a residence for the park’s groundskeeper, but in recent years it had fallen into disrepair and sat vacant,” said Miami Beach Interim City Manager Rickelle Williams. “We plan to restore the structure for an adaptive reuse.”
The City of Miami Beach purchased the land for Flamingo Park in 1929 with the intent of creating a public park. Flamingo Park now spans more than 36 acres in the middle of South Beach at 11 Street and Jefferson Avenue.
Funded by the city’s 2018 General Obligation (G.O.) Bond, the $1 million lodge renovation will include demolition work, a new interior layout in addition to new interior and exterior finishes, stucco repairs, and new mechanical and electrical enhancements.
The scope of work includes selective demolition, a new interior layout, mechanical, electrical, and ADA upgrades, new interior and exterior finishes, stucco repairs (including patching and painting), new exterior glazing and doors, new roofing, new exterior concrete walkways, new pedestrian LED lighting, landscaping, and irrigation improvements.
The renovations will also include new exterior doors, windows and roofing, exterior concrete walkways, pedestrian LED lighting, landscaping and irrigation. The project also incorporates accessibility improvements consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
A related project is underway to relocate two Florida Power & Light electrical panels for a future service point within Flamingo Park. Crews are working to reroute an underground electrical conduit to better serve the park and surrounding area. None of the work is expected to interfere with regular park programming.
The city will continue to update park amenities and other improvements within its master plan as part of $15 million made available through the G.O. Bond. Future improvements will include updated baseball and softball fields, the addition of a butterfly garden and a central art piece.
