Claudelle Rose, Program Manager

Engineering and Community Development

Brad Ostroff,

Interim Director of Engineering and Community Development

Issue Statement: 

The City of Oakland Park is applying for funding through the Florida Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, Cultural Facilities Program for the open-air seating and performance space at City Centennial Park. The Cultural Facilities Program provides financial assistance for eligible construction-related costs associated with cultural facilities. The grant will include costs associated with the construction of the structure such as site preparation and general requirements. This grant has a required two-to-one match. 

Recommended Action:

Staff recommends that the City Commission adopt a resolution supporting the City’s application for the FY 2027-2028 Cultural Facilities Grant from the Florida Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, and authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to submit the grant application.

The proposed open-air seating and performance space at City Centennial Park is planned as part of Phase 2/3 of the City Centennial Park Project, which is currently in design. Construction of this project component is contingent upon the City receiving grant funding and securing the required matching funds.

City Centennial Park Phase 1 has been completed and includes pickleball courts, outdoor social stairs, a fully accessible and inclusive multi-age playground, basketball courts, a splash pad, batting cages, an athletic complex, a concession stand, and family restrooms. The addition of the open-air seating and performance space at City Centennial Park is intended to complement these existing improvements and expand opportunities for cultural, arts, civic, and community programming in the City of Oakland Park.

The requested grant funding would support construction of the open-air seating and performance space at City Centennial Park, enhancing the park’s role as a public gathering place and advancing the City’s broader investment in parks, recreation, arts, and cultural programming.

Adoption of this resolution does not have any immediate financial impact. The grant would be awarded during the next Florida Legislative session in May 2027 and an agreement would need to be executed to secure the funds. Should the City receive the grant, the grant requires the City contribute a two-to-one match.   

City matching funds would be available through grant funding already secured for this project.