SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve amendment of the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) project grant agreement for the renovations and improvements of Edgewater Drive Park, 1923 Edgewater Drive, and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
Body
SUMMARY:
On August 31, 2023, the City’s Parks & Recreation Department submitted Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program Grant Application Package to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for the purposes of securing funding for the renovations and improvements of Edgewater Drive Park. Edgewater Drive Park is currently a passive park with limited functionality and use. The grant application included the construction of a dock, reconfigured and expanded parking lot, improved stormwater management, new sidewalks, new bike racks, trash receptacles, benches, environmental educational signage, and an ADA accessible drinking fountain.
Prior to submitting the application package to the State, staff met with the Edgewater Drive Homeowners Association to get their input and support for the project.
On July 3, 2024, the City received formal notice of the granting of the award by the State. On October 3, 2024, the State sent a Standard Grant Agreement for the Edgewater Drive Renovation Project (FDEP Agreement Number P5077) which awards $200,000 dollars and requires matching funds from the City of $200,000. Additionally, on October 3rd the City Council authorized a purchase order to Pennoni Associates, Inc. for professional services to complete design work for renovations of Edgewater Drive Park.
On November 21, 2024, Council approved the noted Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) project grant agreement.
At a subsequent meeting attended by city staff an overwhelming majority of residents informed the City that rather than including the dock, they would prefer funds be allocated to a widened sidewalk along Edgewater Drive.
Due to a change in neighborhood support for the construction of the dock, staff requested approval from the City Council on May 1 to request to submit an amendment proposal to the State to modify the scope of FDEP Grant Agreement Number P5077 for the removal of the dock from the project to be substituted with the increase in the overall length of widening the sidewalk to 10 feet along the west side of Edgewater Drive for approximately 2,400 feet. Council approved that request and staff submitted an amendment proposal request to FDEP on May 5, 2025 and the requested amendment was approved by FDEP on August 19, 2025. Staff is requesting city approval of the first amendment to FDEP Grant Agreement Number P5077.
Staff received high and low construction cost estimates for the overall project with the pier and without the pier but with the widening of the sidewalk. The overall project costs increase with the amended scope eliminating the pier and widening the sidewalk as shown in the table below:
|
Estimate |
Dock |
Sidewalk Widening |
Difference |
|
Low |
$630,040.50 |
$667,002.50 |
$36,962.00 |
|
High |
$718,713.80 |
$784,637.00 |
$65,923.20 |
The above costs are estimates only and the project will need to be put out to bid and returned to Council for final approval.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Not Applicable.
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS:
N/A
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
Approval of the agreement supports several Strategic Plan Objectives, including:
• 1.2: Maintain public infrastructure, mobility systems, natural lands, environmental resources, and historic features through systematic management efforts.
• 1.3: Adopt responsive levels of service for public facilities and amenities, and identify resources required to sustain that level of service.
• 2.3: Promote Clearwater as a premier destination for entertainment, cultural experiences, tourism, and national sporting events.
• 3.2: Preserve community livability through responsible development standards, proactive code compliance, and targeted revitalization.
