The referendum included $23.7 million in parks and recreation improvements and $29.9 million in public safety upgrades.
Three of the city's oldest fire stations will be demolished and rebuilt. Male and female firefighters will have separate dormitories and restrooms.
''These buildings were built back when we had 100 firefighters in the city of Hollywood,'' Fire Chief Ed Moran said. ``Today, the fire department's total number of employees reaches 300.''
Fire Station No. 40 in the 2200 block of North Ocean Drive, Fire Station No. 5 at 421 N. 21st Ave., and Fire Station No. 31 at 3401 Hollywood Blvd. will get the face-lifts.
A portion of the bonds also will help pay for the Southeast Public Safety Complex at U.S. 1 and Fletcher Street. It will be the city's sixth fire station.
The station is expected to greatly reduce response times in southeastern Hollywood. It now can take firefighters more than nine minutes to get to some of the Lakes areas and Harbor Islands from the fire station at 21st Avenue and Fillmore Street, Moran said.
The response time in the rest of the city averages five minutes or less, he said.
A fire-rescue training facility will be built on North 56th Avenue between Sheridan Street and Stiring Road, allowing firefighters to train in Hollywood instead of traveling to the Broward Fire Academy in Davie.
''By keeping the units in the city, it will reduce response times,'' Moran said.
The improvements will help spur redevelopment, Moran said.
''It demonstrates to the citizens we serve the city's commitment to them,'' Moran said. ``We are trying to enhance their neighborhoods by putting these new structures in.''
The fire department will also buy a new firetruck, ladder truck and ambulance.
''The fire-rescue department is most appreciative to the residents of Hollywood for their support of the general obligation bond at the polls,'' Moran said.
In approving the bond, voters also allocated about $5 million for the Police Department and code enforcement to upgrade their technology. Police officers will get laptop computers so they can file reports from the field instead of returning to the police station. The police will also upgrade the dispatch and records systems.
''It allows the current system to be brought up into the 21st century, and it certainly will help facilitate the effectiveness and efficiency of the road patrol officer,'' police Capt. Tony Rode said.
Hollywood parks and community centers also will see some improvements.
The Fred Lippman Multi-Purpose Center at 2030 Polk St., Hollywood's first synagogue, eventually will be demolished.
''It's an old building,'' said Jack Mathison, Hollywood's assistant director of parks and recreation. ``It is starting to wear out.''
A new center will be built on the north side of Polk Street, now a parking lot.
The Beverly Park Community Center is expected to grow by about 3,000 square feet. A fence will be built around the center's playground, and a shade canopy will be installed.
Other improvements include:
A walking path at Poinciana Dog Park on South Dixie Highway.
A 10,000-square-foot community center at Montella Park with upgraded sports fields and a concession-restroom building.
Security cameras installed at all community centers.
Building a passive park on the corner of Hillcrest Drive and Park Road.
''When the city starts to do improvements like that . . . then the surrounding community starts to improve,'' Mathison said.
General obligation bonds are loans cities take out to pay for large construction projects and improvements. Taxpayers repay the debt over a period of years. Hollywood property owners will see a separate assessment on their tax bills and a higher overall bill for the next 20 years.
Lorie Mertens, Hollywood's director of intergovernmental affairs, said property owners likely will see a higher tax bill next year. The increase will be gradual.
It's estimated that the owner of a home with a taxable value of $150,000, after taking the standard $25,000 homestead exemption, would pay an additional $72 a year for the improvements.
Mertens and other city staffers made nearly 90 bond presentations in the last year. ''I had a blast,'' said Mertens, who grew up in Hollywood. ``It was very enjoyable working with the team that I had.''
Early next year, Hollywood commissioners are slated to appoint residents to a seven-member oversight committee that will meet at least twice a year to monitor the bond's progress. City officials hope to have one member from each of the city's six districts and one at-large member. Each member will serve a three-year term.
