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Tag: brick paver sidewalks.

Second Pine Avenue RFP authorized

Second Pine Avenue RFP authorized

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

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.

Second Pine Avenue RFP authorized
The unpaved pedestrian paths along Pine Avenue will be replaced with brick paver sidewalks. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

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.

Second Pine Avenue RFP authorized
Pedestrians don’t always follow the unpaved meandering paths along Pine Avenue and choose to walk along the street instead. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

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.

Pine Avenue sidewalk plans still under review

Pine Avenue sidewalk plans remain under review

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy has an update for the city commission on the Reimagining Pine Avenue project.

On Oct. 27, Murphy said the city’s plans to install brick paver sidewalks along both sides of Pine Avenue have been evaluated by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). FDOT is overseeing the city’s anticipated use of a $1.28 state appropriation secured earlier this year to help fund the Pine Avenue safety improvements.

Murphy said FDOT won’t allow state funds to be used to install new streetlights unless the new lights meet FDOT’s standards that require 32-foot-tall light poles – a height that significantly exceeds the mayor and commission’s desires for the Pine Avenue lighting. FDOT also expressed concerns about the width of the street and the city’s sidewalk plans not including curbs and additional rights of way acquisition.

City officials hope to stick with the conceptual plans the commission approved earlier this year. Project engineer Gerry Traverso has prepared a follow-up report that further explains the city’s plans and hopefully addresses FDOT’s concerns.

Murphy anticipates FDOT responding to Traverso’s report in December. When FDOT approves the plans, the city and the state agency will enter into an interlocal agreement that allows the city’s use of the state funds. City leaders will then have two years to complete any portions of the project to be paid for using the state appropriation.

After the interlocal agreement is reached, a new request for proposals will be issued for the third time seeking a contractor to install the brick paver sidewalks. Commissioner Robert Kingan noted most recent lone proposal submitted by the C-Squared construction firm earlier this year was considered by FDOT to be twice as expensive as it should have been.

Murphy expects to select a commission-approved contractor in March. He expressed hope that construction costs may be lower at that time due to the current state of the economy lessening the demand for companies that install brick pavers.

Murphy anticipates the construction of the new sidewalks to begin in April.