SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve a Capital Project Funding Agreement grant for the construction of the Bayshore Trail Trailhead in the amount of $216,000, between Trust for Public Land and the City of Clearwater and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same.
Body
SUMMARY:
The City Of Clearwater (City) has been awarded a grant from Trust for Public Land (TPL) in the amount of $216,000 for the renovations and improvements to the Bayshore Trail located along Bayshore Boulevard at the intersection of the Bayshore Trail and the Courtney Campbell Causeway Trail.
The Bayshore Trail is one of Clearwater’s several walking / biking trails used by residents and visitors alike. It serves as a crucial connecting path between larger trail networks, with the Courtney Campbell Causeway Trail sitting at the southern terminus, and the Clearwater Ream Wilson Trail at the northern terminus.
The Parks & Recreation Department has long been planning a renovation project for the Bayshore Trail, with the development of a true trailhead being a high priority. The planned construction would include a new trailhead at the intersection of the Bayshore and Courtney Campbell Causeway trails, including concrete sidewalks and picnic table pads, benches, trash receptacles, picnic tables, a drinking fountain, bicycle racks, bicycle repair station and signage.
Trust for Public Landis a conservation organization invested in the acquisition and improvement of parks, open space, scenic and recreational lands, and trails for the benefit of the public and communities throughout the United States. TPL is a proponent of The Florida Gulf Coast Trail (FGCT), which is an ambitious plan to create a 420-mile regional trail in southwest Florida. A portion of the FGCT runs along the Courtney Campbell Causeway, an eight-mile bridge and roadway that carries State Road 60 (SR 60) across Old Tampa Bay, connecting the City of Tampa in Hillsborough County to the City of Clearwater in Pinellas County.
As a result of the 2024 storm season, many mature trees were lost and infrastructure along the causeway was damaged, leaving users exposed to heat. TPL is working with partners in the Pinellas and Hillsborough counties to create picnic shelters and other amenities along the causeway to restore this key segment of the Florida Gulf Coast Trail.
TPL applied for and received a grant from Expedia, Inc. to support and fund trail construction and enhancement projects across the U.S. TPL desires to support and partially fund the enhancement of the SR60 Trailhead Park with a portion of their awarded TPL Grant. Parks & Recreation intends to utilize the funds donated by TPL to renovate the Bayshore Trail in accordance with the project description above. It is important to note that this project was planned and budgeted in full prior to the opportunity for this grant being presented to the City.
Under this Agreement, TPL agrees to provide the City with Project Funds in the amount of $216,000.00 to be paid in two installments. The first installment of $108,000.00 will be made within 20 business days after execution of this Agreement by all parties. The second installment of $108,000.00 will be made within 10 business days of the Project being Construction Ready.
In receiving this grant, the City agrees to install on-site signage recognizing TPL’s and Expedia’s support of the project, with the designated location of said signage being agreed upon by all three parties. Signage design will be provided by TPL and Expedia, Inc and will be required to meet all city sign code requirements.
The total project cost for the Bayshore Trailhead is estimated to be $350,000 of which this grant will fund $216,000 replacing Penny funds that were previously set aside for this project. The remaining fund will come from CIP 93272 “Bicycle Paths Bridges”.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT: N/A
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS: N/A
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
Approval of this 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.
• 1.5: Embrace a culture of innovation that drives continuous improvement and successfully serves all our customers.
• 2.3: Promote Clearwater as a premier destination for entertainment, cultural experiences, tourism, and national sporting events.
• 3.1: Support neighborhood identity through services and programs that empower community pride and belonging.
• 3.2: Preserve community livability through responsible development standards, proactive code compliance, and targeted revitalization.
