SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve FDOT Construction Agreement (2024-C-799-00018) for construction of sidewalk and Right-of-Way (ROW) improvements in FDOT ROW for the New City Hall project (22-0019-EN) and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
Body
SUMMARY:
The Construction Agreement is an FDOT required form requiring Council approval due to the indemnification. FDOT requires this standard agreement for work performed in their ROW. The proposed FDOT ROW improvements are in the approved site plan for the new City Hall project, along Myrtle Avenue, from Park to Pierce Steets. The work will be completed by Ajax Building and is included in the GMPs council approved on February 15 and October 3, 2024, therefore, no funding request needed for approval of this construction agreement.
Related to this agreement, the City plans to grant an easement to FDOT to support construction of a wide (varies between 8.35 to 30 feet wide) contiguous sidewalk, constructed on both FDOT ROW and City property, along Myrtle Avenue. This work is expected to take place spring 2026 with substantial completion in July 2026 and move-in in August/early September 2026.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
The city hall project supports the five strategic priorities below. The new City Hall facility, a 2-story 40,303 square foot building on a 1.68-acre site, creates a streamlined government service center, adjacent to Clearwater Police headquarters, Municipal Services Building (MSB) and city parking garage, to provide improved customer service and efficient use of existing facility space with the pending MSB renovations. The City Hall project is expected to achieve LEED Silver certification with the US Green Building Council, the first built by the City of Clearwater. Relocating City Hall to this site sparked development of the bluff waterfront with proposed apartments, commercial space and hotel expected to break ground in 2025. The project includes enhanced indoor air quality strategies, energy reduction and metering, daylighting, photovoltaics, EV charging stations, rainwater gardens, reduced heat island effect, outdoor water use reductions, Florida native plants, walkability, and access to public transit.
