ANNA MARIA – Longboat Key-based Eason Builders is the city of Anna Maria’s first choice to install new brick paver sidewalks and new crosswalks along Pine Avenue between Gulf Drive and North Shore Drive.
On July 25, Mayor Dan Murphy and the city commission discussed three bids received for the first phase of a multi-phase brick paver sidewalk installation project that’s part of the greater Reimagining Pine Avenue safety improvement project.
The Phase 1 work will consist of brick paver sidewalks being installed atop the unpaved, meandering pedestrian paths along Pine Avenue between Gulf and North Shore. The existing concrete sidewalk on the other side of Pine will remain in place for now.
For the Phase 1 project only, Eason Builders bid $233,704, Tampa-based Mali Construction bid $272,796 and the Sarasota-based C-Squared construction company bid $665,290. Because C-Squared’s bid was so much higher, Murphy recommended excluding that bid from further consideration.
Murphy noted the Eason and Mali bids were close to the $181,053 previously estimated by the George F. Young engineering firm that designed and engineered the Reimagining Pine Avenue project.
Murphy sought and received commission authorization to engage in further discussions with Eason Builders.
“I’d to go to Eason Builders and do fact-finding and see if I can come back with an acceptable contract with Eason Builders,” Murphy told the commission. “If that fails, I’ll come back to the commission again and try to come back with an acceptable contract from Mali.”
He noted he can only enter into contract discussions with one company at a time.
Murphy said additional cost savings might be realized if the city’s public works department does the pavement striping and marking for the crosswalk installations.
Murphy noted the bids must also be reviewed and approved by the Florida Department of Transportation – the state agency overseeing the city’s expenditure of the state appropriation that is funding a significant portion of the Reimagining Pine Avenue project.
In some areas, the unpaved paths meander toward the business entrances. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
During the past couple of years, the city previously issued four separate requests for proposals for the sidewalk and crosswalk installations. In all four instances, C-Squared was the only bidder. The city commission rejected all four of C-Squared’s previous bids because of the proposed cost and the commission’s ongoing desire to receive proposals from multiple bidders.
Commissioner Mark Short said receiving competitive bids for the first time illustrates what the mayor and commission have believed all along, that C-Squared’s bids were abnormally high.
“While people may be frustrated that we’ve been talking about this project for a couple of years, it does show we’ve been prudent about how we’ve approached this utilizing not just our money, but the state’s money,” Short said.
Future block-by-block project phases will result in brick paver sidewalks being installed along the length of Pine Avenue where no concrete sidewalks currently exist.
The phase 2 bids for sidewalk and crosswalk installations between North Shore Drive and Crescent Drive are expected to be revealed and discussed soon.
ANNA MARIA – Following Mayor Dan Murphy’s recommendation, the city commission rejected the latest Reimagining Pine Avenue bid received from C-Squared.
On May 9, the commission voted 5-0 in favor of rejecting C-Squared’s approximately $1.4 million bid to construct a one-block Reimagining Pine Avenue prototype area that was to include new brick paver sidewalks along both sides of the Pine Avenue from Gulf Drive to North Shore Drive, and new crosswalks in that same one-block area. The sidewalks and crosswalks were to be funded by a state appropriation previously approved by the Florida Legislature.
Using a different funding source, the city also planned to install new streetlights in the one-block area that would serve as a test area for similar safety improvements to be made later along the rest of Pine Avenue.
The latest rejected bid marks the fourth time since 2022 that the city commission has rejected a project-related bid from C-Squared. The previous three bids received in 2022 and 2023 were for the entire stretch of Pine Avenue. In all four instances, C-Squared was the only construction company to submit a bid proposal in response to the city’s request for proposals (RFP).
Murphy said he didn’t consider the latest C-Squared bid received in April to be a “good value proposition.” During a previous discussion, Murphy noted that C-Squared previously bid $1.4 million to install sidewalks and crosswalks along the entire stretch of Pine Avenue.
On May 9, Murphy said he met with a C-Squared representative in hopes of lowering the latest bid. The company offered to reduce the bid by $56,000.
The mayor now proposes taking a piecemeal approach for three separate but related projects, starting with sidewalks, then crosswalks and then streetlights.
“I’d like to put a focus on local contractors who can do this work,” Murphy told the commission. “There are a couple that are interested already who’d like to look at this more on a micro basis than a macro basis.”
When asked if another RFP, or multiple RFPs, would be issued for the separate projects, Murphy said he didn’t know yet.
Commissioner Jon Crane again suggested seeking input from potentially interested contractors before drafting and issuing another RFP.
Commissioner Gary McMullen asked if the city’s public works department could carry out some of the project-related tasks. Murphy said that’s possible as long as the department has the needed manpower and equipment.
ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy is among those disappointed with the $1.4 bid received from C-Squared to construct a one-block Reimagining Pine Avenue prototype area.
On March 25, C-Squared submitted the only bid the city received in response to the fourth request for proposals (RFP) issued since 2022 for the long-desired safety improvement project.
The latest RFP sought bids for the installation of brick paver sidewalks along both sides of a one-block portion of Pine Avenue, from Gulf Drive to North Shore Drive, and for new crosswalks in that one-block area.
On April 11, Murphy briefly discussed the proposal with city commissioners. He said the C-Squared bid contains numerous line-item expenses including mobilization, traffic control, brick paver costs, crushed granite costs, excavation costs and more.
For comparative purposes, Murphy said he already had line-item cost estimates provided by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), and also by other engineers utilized by the city.
FDOT is the state agency overseeing the city’s expenditure of approximately $2.5 million in state appropriations previously approved for the Reimagining Pine Avenue project that last year was expanded conceptually to Magnolia and Spring avenues as well.
The city plans to use previously obtained federal funds to install new streetlights in the one-block prototype area, and later along the rest of Pine Avenue.
“I had those two sets of numbers, I had an idea what this should cost, and it was not $1.4 million. That’s what the bid came in at,” Murphy said of the latest C-Squared bid.
He noted that C-Squared previously bid $1.4 million to install sidewalks and crosswalks along the entire length of Pine Avenue.
Murphy said he reviewed the bid with a C-Squared representative and asked him to bring back additional information that justifies the estimated line-item costs and/or proposes ways to lower those estimated costs. Murphy hopes to provide that follow-up information to the commission on April 25.
Mayor Dan Murphy can’t support C-Squared’s $1.4 million bid. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“I cannot, with a clear conscience, recommend to you a $1.4 million project for one block,” Murphy said, noting the city couldn’t afford to do the rest of Pine Avenue at that rate.
When proposing the one-block prototype earlier this year, Murphy said an engineer estimated the one-block area might cost approximately $450,000.
“It’s disappointing to me to be where we are. I was hoping, at this point, I would be asking you for permission to negotiate a contract,” Murphy said.
He noted the C-Squared proposal will not be made available to the media and the public until the end of the month.
Commissioner Jon Crane noted that C-Squared is currently named as a defendant in a wrongful death lawsuit pertaining to a project the company previously completed for the city of Holmes Beach. Crane said he’d be leery of the potential financial implications associated with that unresolved civil lawsuit.
Regarding the C-Squared bid, Commissioner Mark Short said, “It’s disappointing, to say the least, and let’s hope that maybe they come back with a little sharper pencil by the end of the month.”
Since 2022, C-Squared has submitted the only four bids received in response to the city’s Reimagining Pine Avenue RFPs. For various reasons, the city commission rejected three previous C-Squared bids.
ANNA MARIA – For the fourth time, commissioners will soon be asked to accept or reject a Reimagining Pine Avenue bid proposal submitted by the C-Squared construction company.
On March 25, City Clerk LeAnne Addy opened the only bid received in response to the city’s fourth request for proposals (RFP) since 2022. Despite being previously rejected three times, Sarasota-based C-Squared CGC Inc. again submitted the only bid.
The RFP sought proposals to construct a one-block Reimagining Pine Avenue prototype between Gulf Drive and North Shore Drive. The proposed prototype area would include the same safety improvements desired along the entirety of Pine Avenue – brick paver sidewalks along both sides of the street, new crosswalks and new streetlights.
The sidewalks and crosswalks are to be funded using a $1.28 million state appropriation that the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis approved in 2022. An additional $1.4 million state appropriation was approved in 2023 to expand the project to include similar safety improvements along Spring and Magnolia avenues, although no formal plans for those two additional streets have been presented.
City Clerk LeAnne Addy opened C-Squared’s latest bid on March 25. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
While seated in the commission chambers, Addy opened C-Squared’s sealed bid with only a C-Squared representative and The Sun present. In accordance with previously-established city protocol, only the name of the bidder was made public. No additional details, including the proposed price, were made public. The bid details will be made public when C-Squared’s proposal is presented for city commission discussion and consideration. The agenda for the commission’s April 11 meeting includes a Pine Avenue RFP update but it doesn’t indicate whether any formal commission decision-making is expected.
City officials are concerned about bicyclists’ safety along Pine Avenue. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
If the commission ultimately rejects C-Squared’s latest proposal, the city could issue a fifth RFP, this time seeking bids for all of Pine Avenue or the entire expanded three-street project. In February, Commissioner Mark Short noted the city has until the end of the calendar year to spend the appropriation funds approved in 2022. Although unlikely, the mayor and commission could abandon the project and forego the state funds if a contractor can’t be secured.
C-Squared hasn’t done any previous projects for the city of Anna Maria, but the company has completed city projects in Bradenton Beach and in Holmes Beach. Several years ago, C-Squared replaced the failing brick paver crosswalks on Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach that were installed by another company.
C-Squared completed the city center project for the city of Holmes Beach in 2023. The company is currently named as a co-defendant in a civil lawsuit pertaining to the 2023 death of pedestrian Miriam Trotter, who was struck by a vehicle driven by Michael Ritchie in a C-Squared work zone and traffic management area associated with the city center project.
The lawsuit alleges C-Squared and Ritchie share responsibility for the fatal accident and alleges C-Squared failed to maintain a safe work zone. According to court documents, Ritchie denies responsibility for the accident and faults C-Squared for not maintaining a safe work zone; and C-Squared denies responsibility for the actions of Ritchie and Trotter.
PAST PROPOSALS
None of the four Reimagining Pine Avenue RFPs produced bid proposals from any firm other than C-Squared.
The initial feasibility study and planning process began in mid-2021 with contracted project engineer Gerry Traverso leading those efforts.
Along some portions of Pine Avenue, unpaved meandering paths are used by some pedestrians and ignored by others. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
During a series of public meetings, several ideas and concepts were proposed, discussed and in some cases rejected. The rejected ideas included transforming Pine Avenue into a one-way street, with Spring or Magnolia also serving as a one-way street. The commission also rejected installing a roundabout/delivery truck turnaround area at the end of Pine Avenue, near the City Pier.
The commission discussed potentially eliminating approximately 50 parallel parking spaces along Pine Avenue to create space for bike paths and/or multi-use paths. Some past and present commissioners expressed support for doing so, but eliminating those parking spaces has never garnered the majority support of the city commission.
City officials hope additional and enhanced crosswalks will improve pedestrian safety. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
In February 2022, the commission approved Traverso’s conceptual plans for the sidewalks and crosswalks.
The following month, the commission authorized the issuance of the first Reimagining Pine Avenue RFP for the installation of new sidewalks, crosswalks and streetlights along Pine Avenue. That RFP produced a single C-Squared bid for approximately $2 million, with a significant portion of the proposed costs associated with streetlighting.
In May 2022, the commission voted 4-0 in favor of rejecting C-Squared’s first bid and issuing separate RFPS for the sidewalks and the streetlighting, with the city self-installing the crosswalks. In response to a second RFP later issued for the Pine Avenue sidewalks, C-Squared bid $1.09 million to install brick paver sidewalks or $1.22 million to install rubberized Flexi-Pave sidewalks.
In July 2022, the commission authorized Murphy to engage in further fact-finding discussions with C-Squared regarding their second proposal, and that month Gov. Ron DeSantis approved the city’s $1.28 state appropriation request.
In August 2022, Murphy received a letter from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) informing him that FDOT would oversee the expenditure of state funds and the Reimagining Pine Avenue plans and RFPs required FDOT review and approval. That led to the second C-Squared proposal being rejected, even though Murphy said it was a good proposal.
It was later learned that using state funds to install new streetlights would subject the city to FDOT’s less aesthetically pleasing lighting standards. The commission agreed to instead use leftover federal American Rescue Plan funds to pay for the streetlights.
In March 2023, the city issued a third RFP, again for the Pine Avenue sidewalks and again producing a single bid from C-Squared. When Murphy initially reviewed that bid with the commission the following month, he said it was approximately $418,000 higher than the previous bid.
Murphy said the increase could be partially attributed to the RFP requesting crushed granite, rather than crushed concrete, be used as fill material for the drainage trenches below the new sidewalks. Murphy noted labor costs also increased since the previous bid was received.
Later that month, the commission voted 4-1 in favor of rejecting C-Squared’s third proposal. Commissioner Jon Crane opposed rejecting the bid because he didn’t feel the city would get a better proposal.
Many forms of transportation are utilized along Pine Avenue. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
In November, Murphy proposed the one-block Reimagining Pine Avenue prototype. In February, Murphy told the commission Traverso estimated the one-block prototype might cost $425,000 to $450,000. Murphy said the prototype area would serve as a test area that would provide additional insights as to what unexpected challenges and obstacles might be encountered along the rest of Pine Avenue. Murphy acknowledged that he wasn’t sure the smaller-scale prototype project would attract any or many bidders.
In late February, the city issued the fourth RFP that produced the latest bid from C-Squared, which brings the city to its current juncture with the long-delayed project.
ANNA MARIA – The City Commission rejected the latest single bid received to install new sidewalks along both sides of Pine Avenue on April 27.
The mayor and commissioners now hope to use state funds to enlarge the scope of the project in hopes of making it more attractive to more potential bidders.
C-Squared was the only company that submitted a bid proposal in response to the city’s latest revised request for proposals (RFP) for the Reimagining Pine Avenue safety improvement project that at some point is also expected to include new and improved crosswalks and new street lighting.
During a special city commission meeting on April 24, Mayor Dan Murphy provided the commissioners with confidential copies of C-Squared’s latest bid. C-Squared was also the only firm to submit bid proposals in response to the city’s previous two Reimagining Pine Avenue-related RFPs.
The initial phase of the Reimagining Pine Avenue project is primarily funded by a $1.28 state appropriation the city secured last year. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is overseeing the city’s use of the state funds.
According to Murphy, FDOT considered C-Squared’s previous bid too high. The latest RFP incorporated additional FDOT suggestions and pertained only to the installation of the sidewalks. City officials hoped the revised RFP would attract more bidders but it didn’t.
Bid rejected
During Thursday’s meeting, Murphy said the commission could accept the C-Squared bid and direct him to enter into fact-finding discussions and subsequent contract negotiations with the lone bidder; or reject the bid and eventually issue another revised RFP.
The previous C-Squared bid proposal received last July proposed a $1.09 million price to install the new brick paver sidewalks. Murphy said C-Squared’s latest bid was approximately 30% and $418,000 higher than the previous bid. Murphy said the increase could be partially due to the latest RFP requesting that crushed granite, rather than crushed concrete, be used as fill material for the drainage trenches to be installed beneath the new sidewalks. Murphy also noted labor costs have increased since the previous bid was received last year. As of Friday afternoon, copies of the rejected bid proposal had not yet been made available to the media.
Murphy said the relatively small scope of the project may not be enough to attract bidders interested in larger, more lucrative projects.
Murphy said the city anticipates receiving an additional $1.4 million state appropriation this year. This would allow the scope of the project to be expanded to include additional safety improvements along Magnolia Avenue, Spring Avenue and a portion of Gulf Drive.
“We’re on the cusp of getting another $1.4 million. We could expand this project to make it more appealing to more bidders. But then again, we could move forward with the project so we can get started right away,” Murphy said.
Commissioner Robert Kingan noted FDOT considered C-Squared’s previous bid to be too high and their latest bid is even higher. Kingan said he doesn’t like choosing from a single bid and he agreed that the project’s smaller scope might make it less attractive to bidders.
Commissioners Jon Crane and Robert Kingan held differing views on accepting or rejecting the latest bid. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Commissioner Jon Crane expressed an opposing view.
“This is probably the most significant project we have on our books. The change of the look and feel and efficiency of Pine Avenue would be greatly improved. We’re not getting the interest and I don’t think we’re going to get any more interest. Now’s a good time to do this,” Crane said.
Commissioner Deanie Sebring said she doesn’t feel comfortable with just one bid or the increased cost proposed in C-Squared’s latest bid. She agreed that increasing the scope of the project might attract more bidders.
“It seems unbelievable that we could only get one local bidder on this project,” she said.
Commissioner Charlie Salem said he understood Crane’s position, but he thinks competition among multiple bidders would benefit the city. He also noted the labor market has recently cooled a bit.
During Monday’s meeting, Commission Chair Mark Short said the city still has plenty of time to complete the state-funded project.
During Thursday’s meeting, Short said, “We’re making progress but not we’re not where we thought we’d be when we started this two years ago. But the possibility of combining projects equals economy of scale. Certain things only have to be done once with a larger project versus twice for two projects.”
Kingan then made a motion to reject the RFP. The commission voted 4-1 in favor of doing so, with Crane voting in opposition.
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.
ANNA MARIA – Sarasota-based C-Squared CGC Inc. is the only construction firm that submitted a bid proposal in response to the request for proposals (RFP) issued for the Reimagining Pine Avenue project.
The city’s recently-issued RFP sought bid proposals from construction firms interested in installing new sidewalks, crosswalks and streetlights along Pine Avenue. City officials believe the improvements will make Anna Maria’s main commercial corridor safer for pedestrians, motorists and other users.
On May 12, Mayor Dan Murphy provided the Anna Maria City Commission with an update on the RFP process. Murphy said the city received many inquiries from potential bidders but C-Squared was the only firm that actually submitted a bid proposal.
The C-Squared bid is for approximately $2 million and roughly 50% of those estimated costs pertain to streetlights, he said, adding that the C-Squared bid was received the previous week and he had not yet had time to thoroughly analyze the proposal.
Murphy said that he, the city staff and the city’s contracted engineering firm need to further analyze the proposal before presenting it to the city commission to accept, modify or reject.
The commission could choose to discard the C-Squared proposal and issue new RFPs that seek separate bid proposals for the sidewalks, crosswalks and streetlights, Murphy said. He doesn’t yet know which approach might work best for the city. He said he would provide the commission with a more detailed analysis and copies of the C-Squared proposal at the commission’s next meeting. The sealed bid proposal received from C-Squared has not yet been made available to the public or the media.
C-Squared recently entered into a multi-million-dollar contract with the city of Holmes Beach for its city center project, he said. During public comment, it was noted C-Squared previously completed a brick paver parking lot project and a crosswalk replacement project for the city of Bradenton Beach.
As part of a separate city project, new stormwater infiltration trenches are being installed along Pine Avenue. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Murphy said the Woodruff & Sons construction company is currently installing new stormwater infiltration trenches along Pine Avenue as part of the city’s ongoing efforts to improve drainage and reduce localized flooding throughout the city.
The below-surface infiltration trenches are covered with white lime rock. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
