SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve a Work Order to WSP-USA, Inc., for the Living Seawall project (25-0045-EN) to provide living seawall design services, converting four existing seawalls into living seawalls/shorelines, in the amount of $405,533.00 pursuant to Request for Qualifications (RFQ) 34-23, Engineer of Record Consulting Services (EOR) and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same.
Body
SUMMARY:
The Clearwater Living Seawall Project is part of the City’s broader coastal resilience strategy focused on strengthening shoreline infrastructure, enhancing habitat value, and reducing tidal flooding risks along Clearwater’s waterfront. The proposed seawall locations are along Coachman Park near the Pierce 100 Condominiums, under the north side of the Sand Key bridge, east side of Mandalay Channel and on Tampa Bay at S. Bayview Avenue. The scope includes field investigation, limited bathymetric and topographic survey, analysis, permitting, design development, bid support and construction phase services.
The State of Florida Legislature appropriated $3,000,000 to the City of Clearwater for the design and construction of approximately four living seawalls across several locations within the City, including elevating existing seawalls to mitigate wave energy and seawall overtopping events. Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) issued Standard Grant Agreement L0167, which provides up to $3,000,000 in State reimbursement with no required local match. The Grant Agreement is pending City Council approval as a companion item on the March 30, 2026 city council meeting agenda.
WSP-USA was selected as the Engineer of Record (EOR) due to its extensive expertise in coastal engineering, bridge and seawall inspections and proven track record in infrastructure resilience, and ability to deliver comprehensive structural assessments.
Design is anticipated to be completed by June 2026. Public Works staff will return to City Council to present a low bid construction contract for approval in Fall 2026.
The proposed design fees were refined through negotiations that further defined and clarified the scope of services. As a result, the total cost was reduced from $568,257.00 to $405,533.00, yielding savings of $162,724.00.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
ENGF180006 - $405,533.00
Funding for this work order is available in capital project ENGF180006, Citywide Docks & Seawalls, funded by revenues from the General Fund and/or grant revenues from FDEP.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
1.2 Maintain public infrastructure, mobility systems, natural lands, environmental resources, and historical 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. 1.4 Foster safe and healthy communities in Clearwater through first-class public safety and emergency response services. 1.5 Embrace a culture of innovation that drives continuous improvement and successfully serves all our customers. 2.2 Cultivate a business climate that welcomes entrepreneurship, inspires local investment, supports Eco-friendly enterprises, and encourages high-quality job growth. 2.3 Promote Clearwater as a premier destination for entertainment, cultural experiences, tourism, and national sporting events. 2.5 Facilitate partnerships with educational and research institutions to strengthen workforce development opportunities. 3.2 Preserve community livability through responsible development standards, proactive code compliance, and targeted revitalization. 3.3 Promote marketing and outreach strategies that encourage stakeholder engagement, enhance community education and build public trust. 3.4 Inspire citizen participation through civic engagement and volunteerism to build strong, inclusive and engaged communities. 4.1 Support proactive climate resiliency strategies based in science to protect natural and built environments from impacts associated with sea level rise. 4.2 Adopt renewable resource usage and waste reduction practices to ensure a vibrant City for current and future generations.
