SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Authorize a purchase order to Pennoni Associates, Inc. of Clearwater, Florida, for professional services to complete design work for renovations of Edgewater Drive Park in the amount not to exceed $116,100.00 and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same.
Body
SUMMARY:
Edgewater Drive Park is a passive park on the west side of Edgewater Drive between the bridge at Stevenson’s Creek to Union Street on the north; along the main entry way into Clearwater. The park consists of a 6-car parking lot, 6-foot recreation trail, and limited park amenities. Even with limited parking it is a well-used park especially for exercise and viewing the beautiful intercoastal water way and spectacular sunsets. Where the trail ends at the Clearwater city limits, the City of Dunedin continues the trail north to downtown Dunedin. Residents and visitors of both cities use the trail daily for exercise or walking their dogs.
The park needs renovations that will enhance the look and functionality of the park. The proposed plans for the park will include a new dock, reconfigured and expanded parking lot, improved stormwater management, new sidewalks, new bike racks, trash receptacles, benches, environmental educational signage, and drinking fountain. All elements of the renovations will be ADA compliant.
To achieve renewed functionality of this park for residents and visitors, professional design services are necessary.
On July 20, 2023, Council approved the use of 47 firms to serve to provide professional engineering services as Engineer of Record under a continued services agreement RFQ 34-23 and Pennoni Associates, Inc. was selected as one of the approved firms.
Pennoni Associates, Inc. was chosen from the Engineer of Record list for this project due to their staff’s reliability, professionalism, and vast disciplines, as well as their prior experience with pier/dock development projects governed by state and federal environmental agencies. Additionally, their ability to deliver construction plan documents with attention to detail, construction administration, accurate scope of work and schedule of values, navigating grants and permitting with state and federal agencies, and their detailed communication skills makes them the EOR to be considered for this project. Professional design services would include structural plans, geotechnical and civil engineering plans, landscape plans, environmental assessments and permitting, and upland and aquatic surveying.
Current project budget including design, construction and FF&E is estimated at $1,050,000. The project funding includes $850,000 of General Fund revenue (funded in fiscal years 2023/24 and 2024/25), and $200,000 in reimbursement grant revenue awarded from Florida Recreation Development Assistant Program (FRDAP).
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funds are available in capital improvement project C2404, Edgewater Drive Park Improvements to fund this purchase order. This project is funded with revenues from the General Fund and grant funds awarded from FRDAP.
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS:
N/A
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
Approval of the purchase order 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.
• 4.3: Protect the conservation of urban forests and public green spaces to promote biodiversity and reduce our carbon footprint.
