DADE CITY | VETERANS PARK Amphitheater Decision Delayed
By Joe Potter
The Dade City Commission postponed a vote on the proposed Veterans Park amphitheater on April 14, choosing to revisit Borregard Construction’s contract in two weeks after the price tag rose significantly from the original estimate. Borregard Construction initially proposed a contract of $197,370 for building the outdoor amphitheater at Veterans Park, located at the intersection of Church Avenue and 10th Street.
An amended proposal presented during the April 14 meeting sought $269,277.50, an increase of $71,907.50. A Borregard representative cited several factors driving the higher cost, including a 30% rise in steel prices since last year, changes to the roof design, the addition of a second handicap ramp, and a higher stage. Mayor Scott Black and Mayor Pro Tem Normita “Angel” Woodard expressed concerns about the uptick in costs. Black requested that the revised budget be returned to the Commission for review rather than the City Manager drawing up a new contract.
The Commission scheduled a follow-up vote on Borregard’s proposed contract for April 28 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. In the same meeting, commissioners continued the first reading of a proposed ordinance regulating micromobility devices (electric scooters, e-bikes, etc.) within the city limits. The ordinance aims to address safety concerns and enforcement gaps, particularly in event zones and areas with pedestrian activity.
If adopted, the ordinance would offer three enforcement options when a device operator violates its provisions near events: request the rider to stop, instruct them to dismount or move the device out of the area, and, if nondisruptive directives are ignored, issue a civil citation via law enforcement. The city’s current code does not specifically address micromobility devices, creating ambiguity in enforcement and limiting regulatory ability around events. The Commission discussed potential responses to violations and agreed to refine the wording to align with state statutes before the April 28 meeting.
Miscellaneous items and community recognition included the Commission issuing a proclamation recognizing Pete Hutchison Brock on his 100th birthday on April 26, 2026. Brock’s history includes long-time service with Pasco Packing Co., leadership roles with Lykes Pasco, Downtown Dade City Main Street, and the Dade City Redevelopment Association. He was also the father of a former Dade City mayor, Hutch Brock.
At the meeting’s end, Commissioners and department leaders praised Commissioner Ann Cosentino for her work with the Youth Council and other initiatives during her four-year term, which she chose not to seek reelection to a second term.
In the week before the meeting, the city’s election results were certified (April 16). Retired Tampa Police Department Major Michael Stout won the vacant Commission seat previously held by Cosentino, with 57.14% of the vote to Steve Van Gordon’s 42.86%. Stout’s term began on April 28, following the election certification.
The bottom line is that the amphitheater project is on hold while the Commission reassesses the funding and scope in light of the cost increase. A key question is whether to accept Borregard’s revised proposal, reopen the bidding process, or adjust the project plans to reduce costs. The micromobility ordinance is entering a refinement phase to ensure compliance with state law before any final adoption. The community also marked a milestone birthday and welcomed a new commissioner following April elections.
