Message from the Wildwood City Manager

Police and Public Works Projects Move Forward

Wildwood’s city commission has authorized contract negotiations with D.E. Scorpio Corporation for construction manager at risk (CMAR) services on two important projects: a new police annex and a public works substation. The new facilities will be strategically sited near the intersection of Marsh Bend Trail and Central Parkway to provide faster, more efficient service to the south half of Wildwood.

Recent development has brought more land into Wildwood through voluntary annexation, and has expanded the city’s roadway network as streets constructed by developers, particularly in The Villages®, are turned over to the city after strict engineering inspections. The transfer process can involve dozens of staff visits, hundreds of employee hours, and hundreds of gallons of vehicle fuel. The new public works substation will reduce that time and expense.

Designed by OLC Architects, the substation features an approximately 6,120-square-foot operations building with an additional 1,000-square-foot mezzanine for storage. It will be housed on approximately 2.5 acres and will include parking and storage for trucks, loaders, and other equipment used for maintaining Wildwood’s roads, rights-of-way, stormwater systems, and utility infrastructure.

Next to it, on approximately one acre, will be a new police station annex designed by KP Studio Architect P.A., covering approximately 7,400 square feet. The annex will include a public lobby and parking area, secure office and meeting space for law-enforcement personnel, and 855 square feet of flexible space reserved for future buildout. The facility will strengthen police operations and improve service as the city continues to grow.

Rapid response can make all the difference. Last month, two of Wildwood’s police officers were recognized with Life Saver Awards for their quick, effective action in critical life-or-death situations. In both instances, the officers reached victims and performed lifesaving measures before other responders arrived on the scene.

When incidents such as these occur, law enforcement personnel follow up with detailed reports and administrative procedures. Traveling back to Wildwood’s main police station requires not only time and fuel, it often takes officers out of their assigned patrol districts. The new annex will keep officers in the local community, enabling them to respond again quickly when the next call comes in.

The commission’s unanimous vote to proceed with contract negotiations on these projects came at its October 12, 2026, meeting and supported the recommendation made by a selection committee that interviewed the four highest-scoring respondents to a formal request for qualifications. The committee consisted of the assistant city manager, the public works director, and the police chief, who evaluated applicants based on six primary criteria.

D.E. Scorpio Corporation ranked first after the interviews, with a total of 269 points out of a possible 300. Only 10 points separated the company from the fourth-highest firm, reflecting a strong applicant pool that positions Wildwood well to negotiate a contract that provides the city and its taxpayers with the best possible return on investment. That contract will go back to the commission for final approval, likely in December.

Construction of both new facilities is expected to take approximately 12 to 15 months, with completion anticipated in mid-2028.

Sincerely,

Jason McHugh
Wildwood City Manager