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Scaled-down Gulf Boulevard project gets nod
By SUZETTE PORTER
| Article published on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007 |
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CLEARWATER – What once was touted as a win-win situation for everyone is no longer palatable to officials of at least one beach town.
Despite a plea from Indian Shores Mayor Jim Lawrence to delay action, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved on Oct. 16 an agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation for a joint installation and construction project on State Road 699, better known as Gulf Boulevard.
Commissioners Ronnie Duncan and Karen Seel were absent.
The agreement allows for the final construction of the reclaimed water transmission system connecting the lower beaches with the connection at Walsingham Road. The project also provides for improvements to about 3.4 miles of Gulf Boulevard from the bridge on Park Boulevard to the bridge on Walsingham Road, through Indian Shores and a portion Indian Rocks Beach.
The board also approved an amendment to the guaranteed maximum price agreement of almost $24 million with PBS&J Contractors. The cost includes $699,814 for the replacement and rehabilitation of a portion of Indian Rock Beach's sewer line to be reimbursed by the city.
The amended price is more than $7 million over the amount approved for the project in 2005 and almost $4 million more than what was approved in 2006, which is the root cause of the controversy.
The delay of the start of construction was the reason given for the price increase – a situation that FDOT officials said couldn’t be helped. Lawrence disagreed.
In an e-mail to the county commissioners, Lawrence pointed to the choice of construction bid method, certifications and audits, and the lack of consideration or planning for rising construction costs as things that could have been done differently.
When the project first came up in 2005, everyone agreed it was a win-win situation because of the cost and time savings made possible by combining the two projects.
Pick Talley, Utilities director, said the project was still win-win for all parties because it has public benefits including lower costs, expedited construction time, better maintenance of traffic flow and the least possible impact to area residents.
He said the county would serve as the project manager. Construction should begin within 60 to 90 days, Talley said. The contract calls for substantial completion of the work to be done by Aug. 12, 2009.
Before the vote, county commissioners noted they were aware of concerns of officials from Indian Shores and Indian Rocks Beach and requests made at the Metropolitan Planning Organization meetings and to the FDOT to find funds to build the project as initially designed.
County Administrator Fred Marquis said he had met with officials from both towns, as well as the FDOT and state legislators, but held out little hope that additional funding could be found. He said local legislators planned to make a request to the governor.
Marquis said the possibility of using Penny for Pinellas money earmarked for the Gulf Boulevard beautification project had been discussed. He said that it would take an agreement from all the beach towns to use the money to fund the project on the table.
Commissioners decided that additional delays wouldn’t help the situation and with little additional discussion passed the agreement.
Indian Shores and Indian Rocks Beach are most concerned that the scaled-down project eliminated roadway curbing and elevated sidewalks in lieu of the addition of a bicycle lane and modified drainage plans.
County staff said the modified design would still be a significant improvement over the existing roadway.
In Lawrence’s letter to the commissioners, he listed concerns that included adequate flood control, pedestrian safety, aesthetic improvement and money already spent for planning and surveying.
Lawrence wrote that he was refraining from blaming anyone for the problems.
“What is clear to me is that the guiltless party is the people of Indian Shores,” he wrote. “When the original construction plan was approved, they embraced the bold move to invest $6 million, twice our annual budget, on a utility under-grounding project as part of our ‘vision’ for an un-flooded, pedestrian safe, visually appealing and tourist friendly Gulf Boulevard.”
Commissioner Bob Stewart asked if it was still possible to change the design if funding was found. Talley said not after construction had begun in 60 to 90 days.
“Sixty to 90 days allows time for a miracle to happen,” Stewart told audience members leaving the room after the vote.
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Article published on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007
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