ANNA MARIA – The construction of the new city pier remains on schedule, and the city has identified $74,000 in anticipated savings regarding the construction of the pier-based restaurant and bait shop buildings.
On Aug. 1, Mayor Dan Murphy sent a pier status update to Monica Luff. Luff is the executive assistant to the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). The CVB is affiliated with the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) that makes funding recommendations to the Manatee County Commission regarding the use of the county’s 5 percent tourist tax revenues.
In 2018, the TDC and the County Commission supported the city’s request for $1.5 million in tourist tax revenues for the estimated $5 million pier project. The county commission also approved an additional $333,000 in surplus beach concession revenues. The city now seeks an additional $435,000 in tourist tax revenues and that request will be heard by county commissioners on Aug. 20.
The city seeks the additional county funds to help offset the funding shortfall created when Federal Emergency Management Agency reduced the federal funding the city was to receive due to damage the old pier sustained during Hurricane Irma in 2017.
Status update
“Below is the status of the pier as of today,” Murphy wrote the following in his most recent status update:
- The bent frames (piles, supports and stringers) for the pier walkway are complete and covered temporarily with plywood so that workers have access to the T-end;
- The concrete top platform base for the T-end is complete;
- The conduits carrying the utilities are partially in place, and a portion is being rearranged to meet code;
- The electrical lines for the lighting are being installed this week and will be completed next week;
- Light post installation on the walkway will begin.
“Beginning Aug. 12, and through the rest of August the following steps are scheduled, weather permitting,” Murphy wrote the following:
- The small boat landing will be framed;
- The Ipe decking will be placed on the walkway;
- The Ipe fascia around the T-end will be installed;
- The open issue of the fire line to be resolved.
“The pier platform is on schedule for substantial completion by the first week of September. Construction of the restaurant and bait shop is scheduled to begin Sept. 1. We remain on schedule for substantial completion of the restaurant and bait shop building shell by late December,” Murphy’s update concluded.
Cost savings
On July 25, Murphy and the City Commission discussed the cost savings for the construction of the pier buildings.
Murphy said Frank Agnelli’s original bid for his Mason Martin Builders to construct the new pier buildings was $1,041,000. The contract approved by the commission later that night is for $967,000
Murphy noted the commission recently supported Agnelli’s recommendation to use HardiePlank siding instead of Kebony siding on the new buildings, which saves the city $18,000.
Murphy said subsequent discussions with Agnelli and representatives from the i+iconSoutheast construction firm that is building the main pier structure and walkway produced $56,000 in additional savings.
Murphy said the bulk of that $56,000 is the result of a change in Agnelli’s construction deployment plan that originally called for him to rent a barge for a significant period of time. Instead, Murphy and Agnelli worked out an arrangement to transport the construction materials on a barge provided by i+iconSoutheast.
Murphy said that $56,000 also includes savings produced by the sales tax exemption the city receives when purchasing its construction materials directly.
“We’re comfortable with the price. Mr. Agnelli’s comfortable with it,” Murphy said of the contract he sought commission authorization to sign.
“We have a good agreement here,” he added.
Commission Chair Brian Seymour said he appreciated the mayor’s efforts to reduce the Mason Martin Builders’ contract by 7 percent.
“Great job,” Seymour said.
Participating by phone, Commissioner Amy Tripp agreed and she too thanked Murphy. The commission then unanimously authorized Murphy to enter into a contract with Mason Martin Builders.
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