ANNA MARIA – The last concrete piling for the new Anna Maria City Pier has been driven and the request for proposals (RFP) to build the new T-end restaurant and bait shop has been issued.
On Wednesday, March 17, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy emailed city commissioners a pier construction update.
“The last pile for the pier was driven today. The barge will be leaving for Tampa by the weekend, weather permitting, and returning next week with the timbers to build the caps and complete the bents. In other events, the RFP for the restaurant and bait shop was issued this week with a bid submission deadline of May 20,” Murphy wrote.
Murphy’s email update said the firm selected to build the restaurant and bait shop will have 200 days to complete the building, with a December 2019 completion date and a $475 per day penalty failing to complete that work on time.
Murphy also noted the commission must still make a final decision on exterior siding for the restaurant and bait shop. The commission originally selected Kebony hardwood siding but later discussed possibly using Hardie Plank instead.
Murphy’s email said the contractor of choice may also provide an additional siding option for commissioners to consider.
Later in the week, Murphy said, “The last pile driven is a significant event in that it marks a milestone of phase one in the reconstruction of our historic pier. I’m sure over 110 years ago the Anna Maria pier builders felt the same sense of accomplishment as they drove their last palm tree pile.”
Photographs of the original palm tree pier pilings Murphy referenced were displayed at the April 11 city commission meeting.
Construction continues
I+iconSoutheast is not expected to bid on the construction of the pier building. The i+iconSoutheast crew is now moving into the next phase of pier walkway and platform construction that includes the installation of the support bents and prefabricated concrete caps upon which the Ipe wood decking will rest.
The onshore pier pavilion is open again now that the pier pilings along the shoreline have been driven. At some point, the pavilion will be temporarily closed again while the concrete caps are installed close to shore.
Aug. 27 is the completion date for the construction of the pier walkway and T-end platform. The completed Anna Maria City Pier is expected to open to the public in late December or early January.
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