ANNA MARIA – As part of a block-by-block implementation strategy, the city of Anna Maria is issuing a request for proposals (RFP) for phase 1-B of the Reimagining Pine Avenue brick paver sidewalk installation project.
Phase 1-B calls for the installation of new pervious brick paver sidewalks and new crosswalks along Pine Avenue, between North Shore Drive and Crescent Drive.
In each of the four initial construction phases, brick paver sidewalks will be installed along both sides of Pine Avenue where no concrete sidewalks currently exist, including the unpaved pedestrian paths that meander inward toward the business entrances. The existing concrete sidewalks along Pine Avenue will remain in place until they are replaced in a future phase or phases of the project.
The city commission approved the phase 1-B RFP issuance during its June 27 meeting.
Mayor Dan Murphy sought the phase 1-B RFP at this time so construction companies interested in phase 1-A can also submit bids for phase 1-B. He said if the same company is awarded the phase 1-A and 1-B projects, they would only have to mobilize their equipment, materials and labor resources one time, which could produce some cost savings for the city.
City Clerk LeAnne Addy did not specify an exact phase 1-B bid submission deadline but she said those bids are due in approximately 27 days, which is on or around July 25.
On June 13, the commission authorized the issuance of the phase 1-A RFP for new brick paver sidewalks and crosswalks along Pine Avenue between Gulf Drive and North Shore Drive. Phase 1-A bid proposals are due July 17.
The phase 1-C RFP for the section from Crescent Drive to Tarpon Street is expected to be issued on or around July 15 and the RFP for the Tarpon Street to Bay Boulevard section of the project is expected to be issued on or around July 31.
On June 13, Murphy said he expects phase 1-A to be completed by the end of September and all four initial phases to be completed by the end of November.
After the four phase 1 sections are completed, the mayor and commission will turn their attention to replacing the existing concrete sidewalks with new brick paver sidewalks. New streetlights will also be installed along Pine Avenue as part of the safety improvement project that will later extend to Spring and Magnolia avenues.
