ANNA MARIA – City commissioners have selected the specific type of pervious brick pavers to be used to install new sidewalks along Pine Avenue.
The first phase of the new brick paver sidewalks will be installed between Gulf Drive and North Shore Drive, where no concrete sidewalks currently exist. The initial block-by-block sidewalk installation project will progress in four separate phases toward the end of Pine Avenue near the city pier. The existing concrete sidewalks along Pine Avenue are expected to be replaced during later phases of the Reimagining Pine Avenue safety improvement project.
On Sept. 11, Mayor Dan Murphy told city commissioners that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) approved the city’s proposed $233,000 contract with the Eason Builders Group for the phase one sidewalk installation. Murphy said a preconstruction meeting with Eason Builders and FDOT was scheduled for Monday, Sept. 16.
General Manager Dean Jones presented two slightly different colored pavers to choose from. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
With the contract approved, Murphy said the commission needed to select the specific pavers to be used. General Manager Dean Jones presented commissioners with two pavers that featured slightly different shades of gray – granite or glacier. Jones said there’s no price difference between the two gray-hued pavers that are among the most widely used and most readily available in the industry. Jones said using a different colored paver would result in an 8- to 10-week delay.
Murphy noted the granite-colored paver is slightly lighter than the glacier-colored paver and the lighter-colored paver would absorb and retain less heat. The commission unanimously supported Murphy’s recommendation to use the lighter granite-colored pavers.
ANNA MARIA – A signed contract is now in place for the installation of brick paver sidewalks along Pine Avenue, between Gulf Drive and North Shore Drive, where no paved sidewalks currently exist.
Where applicable, the brick paver sidewalks will follow the same unpaved meandering paths that veer away from Pine Avenue and closer to the business entrances. New crosswalks will also be installed in the initial phase of the multi-phase sidewalk installation project. The existing concrete sidewalks in that area will remain in place for now and be replaced later in a future phase of the Reimagining Pine Avenue safety improvement project.
On Aug. 22, the Anna Maria City Commission authorized Mayor Dan Murphy to sign a contract with Eason Builders Group owner Scott Eason for the initial phase of the multi-phase project.
In reference to the city’s long-protracted efforts to secure a suitable and affordable sidewalk installer, Murphy paraphrased a famous World War II statement made by United Kingdom Prime Minister Winston Churchill and said, “It’s the end of the beginning on Pine Avenue.”
The unpaved pedestrian paths will be replaced with brick paver sidewalks. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
For the first one-block portion of the sidewalk and crosswalk installation project, Eason Builders Group bid $233,704, Mali Construction bid $272,796 and C-Squared construction bid $665,290. On July 25, the city commission authorized Murphy to meet with Eason as the mayor and commission’s first choice to do the initial phase of the project. After some additional fact-finding and contract negotiations, Murphy, on Aug. 22, sought city commission authorization to sign the contract with the Eason Builders Group that had already been reviewed and approved by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) as the state agency overseeing the city’s expenditure of the state appropriations that will fund the majority of the Reimagining Pine Avenue project. Murphy said the signed contract would be sent to FDOT so the state agency can issue a notice to commence.
“I expect to get all that done quickly so Scott can begin work and we have this come to fruition,” Murphy told the commission.
Eason’s wife and young son accompanied him to the meeting.
When introducing himself to the commission, Eason, a Holmes Beach resident, said, “I’ve got a seven-month-old boy and what I realized in the past seven months is I’m walking a lot more than I ever have in my entire life. I’m pushing a stroller.”
Eason applauded the mayor for working so hard on the Reimagining Pine Avenue project and not accepting the single bids received from C-Squared that were rejected by the city commission on four previous occasions.
“I’m an Island resident. I want to do this project. I very much care about this city and I think a walkable Pine Avenue is what we all want. We’d love this opportunity to do this work. I won’t let you down,” Eason told the commission.
In response to Eason’s stroller comments, Murphy said he watched his own daughters struggle to push his grandchildren’s strollers down Pine Avenue while headed to the beach at the end of the street.
“I didn’t understand why we had sand sidewalks out here. I’m looking forward to Scott doing a bang-up job and bringing this project home for us. I hope we can get it done quickly, efficiently and to everybody’s satisfaction,” Murphy said.
The commission then voted 4-0 in favor of authorizing the contract with Eason Builders Group, with Commissioner Charlie Salem recusing himself because he and his husband own two commercial properties along Pine Avenue.
The city is approaching the sidewalk installation project in four separate stages, with each stage covering a block or so of Pine Avenue. Bid proposals will soon be reviewed for the next stage that will extend from North Shore Drive to Crescent Drive, followed by another phase from Crescent Drive to Tarpon Street and another phase from Tarpon Street to Bay Boulevard.
ANNA MARIA – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has authorized Mayor Dan Murphy to meet with a representative of Eason Builders regarding the installation of brick paver sidewalks along Pine Avenue.
The first phase of the multi-phase Reimagining Pine Avenue project calls for new brick paver sidewalks to be installed between Gulf Drive and North Shore Drive where concrete sidewalks or hard-surfaced paved pedestrian paths do not currently exist. New crosswalks will also be installed in the same area. The existing concrete sidewalks will remain in place for now and be replaced later.
For the phase one project only, Eason Builders bid $233,704, Mali Construction bid $272,796 and C-Squared bid $665,290. On July 25, the city commission authorized the mayor to meet with a representative from Eason Builders, with Eason being the city’s first choice to install the sidewalks.
On Aug. 8, Murphy told city commissioners he planned to meet with an Eason representative on Aug. 12. The purpose of that meeting is to engage in additional fact-finding and the development of a proposed contract.
If a satisfactory contract is reached with Eason and then approved by the city commission, the contract must then be reviewed and approved by FDOT before the work can begin. FDOT review and approval are required because the sidewalk installation project is being funded with a previously approved state appropriation.
If a contract can’t be reached with Eason Builders, the mayor would then seek commission authorization to meet with a Mali Construction representative, as the city’s second choice.
The mayor was unable to estimate when the phase one work will commence.
The city is also currently accepting bid proposals for the second phase of the Reimagining Pine Avenue project, which will include similar safety improvements to be made between North Shore Drive and Crescent Drive.
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 – 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.
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.
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.
ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy has vetoed an ordinance containing a proposed charter amendment that will now not be placed on the fall ballot unless the city commission overrides the veto by a 4-1 supermajority vote.
On June 13, the commission voted 3-2 in favor of including on the ballot a proposed amendment that called for the insertion of mission statement-like language that expressed a desire to maintain Anna Maria’s home rule rights and residential character. Commissioners Jon Crane and Mark Short opposed the proposed amendment because they felt it was more aspirational than actionable.
During commission discussions, Murphy, as the non-voting mayor, expressed his opposition to the proposed amendment. On Monday, June 24, he sent an email to commissioners informing them of his veto.
The email said, “Commissioners: This is to inform you that I have vetoed the above referenced ordinance for the following reasons:
• The ordinance is unnecessary,
• Cannot be effectively enforced,
• Could potentially cause harm to the city,
• Should be addressed as a part of the ‘land use element’ in the comprehensive plan, not the charter.”
During the June 13 meeting, the commission voted 5-0 in favor of placing on the ballot four additional proposed charter amendments that pertain to building height limits, calling special commission meetings, the charter’s designation of city officers and strengthened residency requirements for sitting mayors and commissioners. These four proposed amendments will be placed on the fall ballot for Anna Maria voters to accept or reject.
The city charter can only be amended with the majority support of the city’s registered voters.
ADDITIONAL ACTIONS
During the June 13 meeting, the commission unanimously approved providing $50,000 to assist with the replacement of The Center’s aging air conditioning system. The commission also approved providing The Center with an additional $28,000 for a previously completed restroom remodeling and shower installation project.
The Center’s air conditioning system needs to be replaced. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
When first presenting the funding requests on May 23, Executive Director Chris Culhane said the $50,000 provided by the city would serve as matching funds for a $90,000 grant The Center received earlier that day from the Bishop-Parker Foundation. The two funding sources provide The Center with $140,000 for a new air conditioning system.
On May 23, Murphy noted the city owns The Center building and property. He also noted the commission previously approved a similar $50,000 funding request last year that was not utilized before the 2022-23 fiscal year ended on Sept. 30.
“I firmly believe that improving our own property is the right thing to do. I also like the way the community center has been running for the last of couple years,” Murphy said during the May meeting. “There were times when I worried about having to take over that community center because it was adrift. I have to congratulate Chris and his staff on bringing it back in line. You’re running a good operation there.”
PLAYERS’ ROOF
The commission authorized the mayor to spend up to $65,000 to replace the asphalt roof on the Island Players building. Murphy said the theater group’s long-term lease with the city obligates the city to help maintain the city-owned building.
Murphy said the Island Players canceled their wind insurance policy due to the roof’s current condition.
He said the theater group obtained two roof replacement bids and he obtained three additional bids. The five bids ranged from $38,000 to approximately $60,000.
Murphy said he would prefer to put a metal roof on the Island Players building because of the low maintenance requirements but for sound and acoustic purposes, the Island Players prefer another asphalt roof.
Murphy said Building Department General Manager Dean Jones would analyze the five bids with the goal to have the new roof installed and the wind insurance policy reinstated before peak hurricane season arrives.
PINE AVENUE
The city commission voted 4-1 in favor of issuing the first of four RFPs for the section-by-section installation of new pervious brick paver sidewalks along Pine Avenue where no paved or hard-surfaced sidewalks currently exist. Where applicable, the brick paver sidewalks will follow the same meandering paths that veer away from Pine Avenue and closer to the business entrances.
Some of the unpaved pedestrian paths along Pine Avenue meander away from the street and closer to the businesses. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“I oppose the meandering sidewalks. People don’t use them. They walk the street,” Commissioner Gary McMullen said when expressing his opposition to the new sidewalks following those same meandering paths.
Construction companies have until July 17 to submit bid proposals to install brick paver sidewalks and new and improved crosswalks along Pine Avenue between Gulf Drive and North Shore Drive. Murphy expects this first section of the multi-phase sidewalk and crosswalk installation project to be completed by the end of September.
He also presented a schedule for subsequent RFPs to be issued later this summer. The RFP for the section of Pine Avenue between North Shore Drive and Crescent Drive will be issued on June 30. The RFP for Crescent Drive to Tarpon Street will be issued on July 15 and the RFP for Tarpon Street to Bay Boulevard section will be issued on July 31.
Murphy said the goal is to have the initial four phases of the brick paver and crosswalk installations completed by the end of November. The existing concrete sidewalks along Pine Avenue will then be replaced in a future phase of the project.
STATE APPROPRIATIONS
During the June 13 meeting, Murphy informed the commission that DeSantis approved a $500,000 state appropriation to assist the city in developing a long-term plan to eliminate the need to dredge the Lake La Vista inlet and jetty area every few years at the city’s expense.
DeSantis vetoed the city’s $1.9 million request to extend the multi-use trail along Gulf Drive and he also vetoed a $475,000 request for the installation of stand-alone public restrooms near the city-owned public parking lot adjacent to city hall and the Island Players building.
ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy has proposed a block-by-block approach to installing permeable brick paver sidewalks along Pine Avenue where meandering unpaved paths currently exist.
New crosswalks would also be installed across Pine Avenue in a similar block-by-block fashion as part of the long-desired Reimagining Pine Avenue safety improvement project.
The existing concrete sidewalks along Pine Avenue will remain in place for now and potentially be replaced with brick paver sidewalks later.
When initiated, the sidewalk and crosswalk improvements will be funded by a state appropriation previously approved by the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis.
New streetlights will be installed later using different, non-state funding sources.
In recent years, the commission, at the mayor’s recommendation, has rejected four previous project-related bids received from the Sarasota-based C-Squared construction company.
C-Squared’s most recent bid was $1.38 million to install a one-block Reimagining Pine Avenue prototype area between Gulf Drive and North Shore Drive. The prototype would have included new brick paver sidewalks along both sides of Pine Avenue and new crosswalks. The bid did not include street lighting.
On May 23, the mayor proposed a new approach to securing a local contractor or contractors to do the work in a more piecemeal fashion. Murphy said he engaged in preliminary discussion with the project engineer as to how to go about the piecemeal approach to installing the brick paver sidewalks one block at a time, beginning with the stretch of Pine Avenue between Gulf Drive and North Shore Drive. Murphy said three local contractors have expressed interest in the project.
“That’s a good sign,” he said. “One contractor told me, ‘You finally have an approach that makes sense and I want to bid on it.’ ”
Murphy said the city’s public works department may be able to assist with the crosswalk installations.
Murphy said once the brick paver sidewalks are installed in the unpaved paths, the concrete sidewalks will be replaced by brick paver sidewalks, to be followed by new street lighting.
Murphy said with the commission’s support he’d work with the project engineer and the Florida Department of Transportation – the state agency controlling the expenditure of the state funds – and figure out how to move forward with the solicitation of bids.
The city commission expressed preliminary support for the block-by-block, one-step-at-a-time project approach and now awaits additional information from the mayor.
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 Anna Maria City Commission authorized Mayor Dan Murphy to enter into a $1.41 million state-funded grant agreement for the expanded Reimagining Pine Avenue project.
On Feb. 8, the commission unanimously supported the mayor’s request to enter into the grant agreement pertaining to the $1.41 million state appropriation the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis approved last year for the expansion of the Reimagining Pine Avenue project that initially only included Pine Avenue.
The $1.41 appropriation provides state funds for the Spring Avenue and Magnolia Avenue portions of the expanded safety improvement project that will include the installation of permeable paver sidewalks, elevated, lighted crosswalks and street crossing signage designed to make those travel corridors safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and others.
In mid-2022, the Legislature and governor approved a $1.28 million appropriation for the initial phase of the Pine Avenue project and in early 2023 a similar grant was executed for those state funds.
During Thursday’s meeting, Murphy said the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is overseeing the city’s expenditure of state funds. He noted the Pine Avenue plans were completed more than a year ago but the plans and public input process have not been completed for the Spring and Magnolia portions of the project.
Commission Chair Mark Short noted that $352,000 in city funds are also committed to the Spring and Magnolia portions which have a preliminary estimated cost of $1.76 million.
City funds will be used to install new streetlights throughout the expanded project area.
Murphy said the city will seek additional state funds over the next couple of years to complete the project.
Commissioner Kathleen Morgan said she’d love to see a wider multi-use path included in the project plans.
ONE-BLOCK PROTOTYPE
Murphy also provided an update on the previously discussed and commission-supported one-block project prototype along both sides of Pine Avenue between Gulf Drive and North Shore Drive.
The prototype area will include the sidewalk, crosswalk and streetlighting elements proposed for the rest of Pine Avenue. The unpaved meandering paths in the prototype area will be replaced by paver sidewalks that follow the same meandering footprint.
Murphy said FDOT approved the one-block prototype concept that project engineer Gerry Traverso estimated would cost $425,000-$450,000 to complete.
Murphy previously said the one-block prototype would provide the city and its yet-to-be-selected construction firm a better idea as to what unexpected challenges and obstacles might be encountered as the project later progresses down the rest of Pine Avenue.
Murphy will soon present the commission with three prototype options to consider. The first option is to not do the prototype area, an option he doesn’t support. The second option is to inquire whether the Infrastructure Solution Services (ISS) engineering firm that provides the city’s primary city engineering service is interested in partnering with the Sarasota-based Jon F. Smith Construction firm to construct the one-block prototype. The third option is for the city to issue a request for proposals (RFP) seeking bids from construction firms interested in completing the one-block project.
“Either way, let’s move forward. We need to do something with Pine Avenue,” Murphy said.
Commissioner Gary McMullen supports using ISS and Swift to complete the prototype area. He said issuing an RFP would further delay the project. Murphy said the RFP process would take at least 60 days.
Short noted the state funds previously approved for the initial Pine Avenue portion of the project are supposed to be spent by the end of the current calendar year.
ANNA MARIA – Vacation rental legislation, consolidation, the Gulf Island Ferry service, the Mote Marine outreach center, the Reimagining Pine Avenue planning process and the city’s 100th anniversary were among the city’s top stories of 2023.
Rental bills defeated
In April and May, Anna Maria officials, the city-owned Home Rule Florida website, Island residents and the city’s contracted lobbyist in Tallahassee played key roles in fighting off the Florida Legislature’s annual attempt to preempt vacation rental regulations to the state and strip city and county governments of their authority and ability to enact and enforce local vacation rental regulations. The Home Rule Florida website generated more than 40,000 emails and letters in opposition to the House and Senate vacation rental bills sent to state legislators.
Consolidation opposed
The mayor and city commission took, and continue to take, a non-adversarial approach with the city’s response to the OPPAGA consolidation study requested by state legislators Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton) and Rep. Will Robinson Jr. (R-Bradenton).
In September, Mayor Dan Murphy sent a letter to Boyd and Robinson that stated that he and the city commission would support consolidating some of the similar city services provided by all three Island cities, but he and the commission do not support consolidating the cities of Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach into one city.
On Nov. 7, Murphy and Commission Chair Mark Short met with OPPAGA representatives and learned that OPPAGA and the Florida Legislature are not required to share the consolidation study report with the three Island cities when the study is completed in 2024.
In mid-November, the city received from OPPAGA a request for information that asked the city to address the pros and cons of the three possible consolidation options: consolidating similar services only, consolidating the three cities into one new Island city or annexing and consolidating the three Island cities into the city of Bradenton.
Ferry stop modified
Manatee County’s proposed Gulf Island Ferry stop at the City Pier was a frequent topic of city commission discussion in 2023. In August, commissioners rejected the county’s proposal to install a floating finger dock and submerged pilings and create a gated and locked landing area at the T-end of the pier to be used exclusively by the ferries. In September, the commission approved the county’s plan to simply attach two non-submerged composite pilings to the existing boat landing instead.
The boat landing at the T-end of the City Pier is approved as a Gulf Island Ferry stop. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The anticipated Dec. 8 launch of the ferry service was delayed in part because the U.S. Coast Guard had not yet certified the two 49-passenger pontoon boats to be used for the ferry service between downtown Bradenton, Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach. Uncompleted docking modifications also contributed to the delay. A new anticipated launch date has not been provided.
Mote facility opens
In early May, the long-delayed Mote Marine Science, Education & Outreach Center opened to the public. Located in a city-owned building at the T-end of the City Pier and offering free admission, the outreach center features live and virtual marine life and marine habitat exhibits.
In November, City Commissioner Robert Kingan said that by the end of October, the marine outreach center had received approximately 70,000 visitors since it opened and was averaging about 460 visitors per day.
Reimagining pine avenue project expanded
After not receiving a satisfactory bid for the initial Reimagining Pine Avenue safety improvement project approved in 2022, the mayor and city commission decided to expand the project to include similar safety improvements along Spring Avenue and Magnolia Avenue in hopes of generating more interest from construction companies for an expanded project that has approximately $3.3 million in available state, federal and city funding.
The Reimagining Pine Avenue project will include a prototype test area between Gulf Drive and North Shore Drive. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
In November, the commission supported Mayor Dan Murphy’s suggestion to begin the expanded project in 2024 with a block prototype along Pine Avenue, between Gulf Drive and North Shore Drive. The one-block prototype will serve as a test area for the larger project and will include new paver sidewalks, new crosswalks and new streetlights.
Commission vacancies open
In January, Charlie Salem was appointed to serve the remainder of Carol Carter’s vacated commission term. In November, Salem and Commissioner Jon Crane earned additional two-year terms in office after running unopposed. City Commissioner Deanie Sebring vacated her city commission seat in September and Robert Kingan vacated his commission seat in early December.
The three remaining commissioners – Salem, Crane and Short – will appoint two new commissioners on Jan. 25.
Idalia causes flooding
In late August, the combined arrival of Hurricane Idalia and king tides produced flooding in Anna Maria and throughout Anna Maria Island and Cortez.
Hurricane Idalia and high tides produced significant street flooding in Anna Maria. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
In Anna Maria, some ground-level homeowners experience flood water intruding into their homes. The flooding and street flooding were particularly heavy in some areas along Magnolia Avenue, North Shore Drive and North Bay Boulevard.
City celebrates centennial, more
In late May, the city held the first of two centennial celebrations at City Pier Park. Taking place immediately after the city’s Patriotic Symphony Salute in recognition of Memorial Day, the centennial celebration included a historical presentation by longtime Island resident Tom Aposporos and music from the year 1923 performed by musicians from the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra. Before the celebration, the city purchased ceremonial centennial flags that were displayed along Pine Avenue and Gulf Drive.
In September, a second centennial celebration took place at the park featuring local non-profit organizations, food, beer and wine sales and live music.
In October, the city-hosted farmers’ market at City Pier Park returned for the season. In November, the city hosted its annual “Old Soldiers & Sailors” parade and veterans recognition ceremony. Also in November, the annual Thanks-Living community gathering and potluck dinner took place at City Pier Park.
Other happenings
In March, Sgt. Brett Getman returned to his duties as the leader of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office’s Anna Maria Unit after suffering a major heart attack while on duty in December 2022.
In October, the city commission discussed allowing dogs in City Pier Park, but no final decision has been made.
In November, the city closed on the $1 million purchase of a building previously leased to the city for use as a city annex for the building department. The building department will return to city hall and the Anna Maria Unit of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office is moving into the recently purchased building.
In November, German brewer and restaurateur Oliver “Oli” Lemke bought the Rod & Reel Pier and restaurant from Mario Schoenfelder.
Passings
Former Anna Maria Island Sun reporter and copy editor Pat Copeland passed away on June 13 at 76. Her life was celebrated with a ceremony that included a New Orleans-style second-line march down Pine Avenue. Copeland was also the co-founder of the Anna Maria Island Historical Society and Museum.
Pat Copeland left a lasting mark on Anna Maria Island with her reporting, her historical preservation and her dedication to family, friends and community. – Anna Hayden | Submitted
Former Anna Maria City Commissioner Gene Aubry passed away on Dec. 9 at 88. He lived in Palmetto at the time of his death. Aubry served as a commissioner from 2010-13. He moved to Anna Maria in 1985, where he continued to work as an architect after a long and successful career as an architect in Texas and elsewhere.
Former City Commissioner Gene Aubry unsuccessfully lobbied for City Pier railings in 2019. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy proposes creating a one-block Reimagining Pine Avenue test corridor along Pine Avenue, between Gulf Drive and North Shore Drive.
Murphy presented his one-block prototype idea to the City Commission on Nov. 16.
He noted the city already has a set of previously approved plans for the Pine Avenue portion of the expanded Reimagining Pine Avenue safety improvement project that now includes Spring and Magnolia avenues. The mayor and City Commission recently had a preliminary discussion on the potential safety improvements that could be made along Spring and Magnolia avenues. Those discussions remain ongoing.
The commission-approved Pine Avenue plans call for the installation of new brick paver sidewalks along the entire length of both sides of the street, new and improved crosswalks and new streetlights.
The city’s current 2023-24 fiscal year budget includes $3.3 million for the expanded Pine Avenue project, including $2.69 million in previously approved state appropriations and $283,412 in American Rescue Plan funds. To avoid being subjected to Florida Department of Transportation lighting standards, the city will self-fund the street light installation portion of the project.
Mayor Dan Murphy proposed his preliminary prototype concept to city commissioners on Nov. 16. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
When presenting his preliminary one-block prototype concept, Murphy said, “This is a much-needed improvement. Pine Avenue has got to be improved. It just can’t go on the way it is with dirt sidewalks and people in the street. We all know that, but we can at least get a start on Pine Avenue.”
He said the proposed prototype area contains all the various nuances and potential challenges that exist at various points along Pine Avenue.
“It has meandering sidewalks. It has straight sidewalks. It has a lack of lighting and it has a lack of crosswalks. All of those things are improvements that we wanted to make,” he said of the proposed prototype area and the safety improvement project as a whole.
Murphy said the prototype would serve as a “test drive” for the rest of the street and allow the public to share their likes and dislikes with the initial improvements made while disrupting a smaller portion of the street.
“We fix that one block, and you can take a look at it and our constituents can take a look at it. Everybody can see the possibility for the rest of the street,” Murphy said. “The downside of doing what I just suggested is it’s going to cost us a little bit more. I’d have to get FDOT’s approval to do this because they control the pile of money the state has given us.”
Murphy said he’d try to get FDOT approval before the commission’s Dec. 7 meeting. If the approval is granted, he’ll present his prototype plan. If approved by the commission, the city would then issue a request for proposals (RFP) seeking bids from construction companies interested in taking on the prototype project. If Murphy doesn’t obtain FDOT approval by Dec. 7, he’ll delay his prototype plan presentation.
Commissioner Robert Kingan asked Murphy if his plan would include cost estimates. Murphy said it would.
Commissioners Mark Short and Jon Crane support the mayor’s prototype approach. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Commissioner Jon Crane said the Reimagining Pine Avenue project designed by contracted project engineer Gerry Traverso may not have been designed the same way a construction firm would design it. Crane said he’d like prototype project bidders to be given the flexibility to propose alternative design methods if so desired.
“With this small block, we get an opportunity to see if their vision might be better than ours,” Crane said.
Murphy agreed that some additional insight might be beneficial.
Commissioner Charlie Salem suggested including language in the RFP that states bidders have some design flexibility. Salem noted the city only received one bid proposal from the same company for the first three RFPs previously issued for the Pine Avenue portion of the project. The commission rejected all three of those bid proposals before later deciding to expand the project to include Spring and Magnolia avenues in hopes of creating a larger, more lucrative project that garners more interest from construction companies.
Salem asked Murphy if he was confident the city would receive an acceptable bid proposal for the prototype block only.
“I don’t know,” Murphy replied.
The mayor said some potential bidders may feel a one-block area is too small to garner their interest while other bidders may feel doing the entire street at one time is too large of a project for them.
Commission Chair Mark Short said, “I see a lot of advantages to heading down that path. It’s not as disruptive. It gives the city a chance to feel out the contractor.”
Short said the biggest risks he sees with the prototype approach are the prototype project being too small to garner interest from construction companies and the prototype approach being more expensive.
ANNA MARIA – City commissioners got their first look at the preliminary plans for proposed safety improvements along Spring and Magnolia avenues as part of the expanded Reimagining Pine Avenue project.
The new plans complement the initial Pine Avenue plans the Anna Maria City Commission approved in 2022 but have not yet acted on. The commission later agreed to include Spring and Magnolia in an expanded Reimagining Pine Avenue project that will hopefully attract more interest from construction companies than the initial stand-alone Pine Avenue project did.
The current fiscal year budget includes $3.34 million for the expanded project, including $2.69 million in state appropriations and $283,412 in American Rescue Plan funds.
When presenting the “starting point” plans on Oct. 19, Project Engineer Gerry Traverso said, “The concept is the same. Provide sidewalks and pedestrian safety.”
The plans call for permeable paver sidewalks to be installed along both sides of the entire length of Spring Avenue and all but a few portions of Magnolia Avenue, including the area where The Center of Anna Maria Island parking spaces extend to the street. Portions of those streets currently have no sidewalks and/or sidewalks on just one side of the street. The permeable paver sidewalks are also expected to improve drainage.
The plans include several new crosswalks and the removal of existing landscaping that currently impedes motorists’ view of pedestrians and bicyclists.
The plans include $765,000 for street lighting, but Mayor Dan Murphy said the lighting improvements will be pursued as a separate, city-funded project. Using state funds subjects the city to the Florida Department of Transportation’s limited lighting options.
Minus lighting, the estimated cost is $1.95 million for Spring Avenue and $1.55 million for Magnolia Avenue. Murphy said he’ll need and seek additional state appropriations to help fund the expanded project.
Commission insights
Commissioner Charlie Salem questioned the exclusion of a sidewalk where The Center parking spaces abut Magnolia.
“That area’s not safe the way it is. People are walking in the road,” he said.
Providing an answer that didn’t fully satisfy Salem, Traverso said pedestrians would be directed to cross Magnolia before they reach The Center parking spaces.
Commissioner Robert Kingan inquired about installing a bike path along Magnolia or Spring. Traverso said there’s not enough city-owned right of way to do so and doing so would negatively impact the existing drainage trenches.
“It’s a tight corridor,” Traverso said.
“The only way to put in a bike path would be to make each of those streets one-way and then we would have the room,” Kingan suggested.
Traverso noted he and the commission received strong public opposition to the previously discussed and discarded concept of making Pine Avenue a one-way street, with either Spring or Magnolia serving as the corresponding one-way street for traffic traveling the other way.
Commissioner Mark Short said the Pine Avenue opposition was strong because the corresponding one-way traffic would have subjected a residential street to heavier traffic and more delivery trucks and commercial vehicles.
During public input, former commissioner Doug Copeland said making Spring and Magnolia one-way streets and eliminating one vehicular lane on each street would provide space for wider sidewalks and for bike paths constructed on the unused travel lanes.
Commissioner Jon Crane stressed the need for community outreach and generating as much public input as possible. Salem suggested mailing notices to Spring and Magnolia property owners. Murphy agreed and said public input will be solicited during future commission workshops.
“We can fine-tune this and make it better. The object is to start the process,” Murphy said.
ANNA MARIA – Additional planning is underway for the expanded Reimagining Pine Avenue project which now also includes Spring and Magnolia avenues.
The long-discussed project includes the installation of permeable brick paver sidewalks along both sides of Pine Avenue, new and improved crosswalks and new streetlights along the commercial corridor. The sidewalks will meander in areas where the unpaved paths currently curve inward toward the businesses. The permeable pavers are expected to improve drainage along Pine Avenue.
The project is expected to improve drainage along Pine Avenue. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The expanded project will also include safety improvements along Spring and Magnolia avenues, both of which run parallel to Pine Avenue. Portions of Spring and Magnolia currently lack sidewalks and crosswalks.
The Pine Avenue corridor includes Spring and Magnolia avenues. – City of Anna Maria | Submitted
The purpose of the expanded project is to increase safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and others who use the three streets that comprise the Pine Avenue corridor. Commissioners discussed eliminating the parallel parking spaces along Pine Avenue, but did not vote to do so.
Pine Avenue runs through the middle of Anna Maria’s primary commercial district. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The city’s 2023-24 fiscal year budget includes $3.34 million in projected Reimagining Pine Avenue-related expenditures. The funding sources are $2.69 million in state appropriations, $283,412 in federal American Rescue Plan funds and $367,781 in impact fees, property tax revenues and funds carried over from the previous fiscal year budget.
On Sept. 21, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy provided the city commission with a project status update. He said in the coming weeks he’d be meeting with project engineer Gerry Traverso, of the George F. Young engineering firm, regarding the proposed safety improvements to be made along Spring and Magnolia avenues. The city commission-approved plans that Traverso created for the initial Pine Avenue safety improvements were completed more than a year ago.
Murphy said the engineering firm will provide a comprehensive view of the improvements that could be made along Spring and Magnolia and incorporate those improvements with the existing Pine Avenue plans.
Many forms of transportation travel down Pine Avenue. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
He said he will bring the commission a list of recommendations as to what can be done in the entire Pine Avenue corridor using the state, federal and city funds already earmarked for the project.
The intent is to make Pine Avenue safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and other users. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“By the end of October, you will have a list of plans and ideas of what we can do with Magnolia, Spring and how it ties into Pine,” he told the commission.
“This won’t be as complicated as Pine because you’re looking at two similar residential streets,” Murphy added, noting the Pine Avenue plans were more complex because Pine Avenue serves as Anna Maria’s primary commercial district.
In some areas, the unpaved paths meander toward the Pine Avenue businesses. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
As was the case with the original Pine Avenue planning process that began in 2021, the planning and decision-making process for the proposed Spring and Magnolia improvements will include public input being provided by residents and business owners before any final decisions are made.
“It’s the start of the finalized plan. Similar to how we did Pine Avenue,” Murphy said of the pending planning process.
Commissioner Charlie Salem asked if it’s possible to ask the engineering firm to look at the alleyway that runs parallel to Pine Avenue, behind the businesses on the west side of the street.
Regarding the city-owned alley that already contains stormwater and drainage elements, Murphy said, “That’s one of the things I asked him to look at, that swale behind the stores there. What are the possibilities of using that for some mode of transportation?”
After the expanded project plans are completed, the city will issue a new request for proposals (RFP) seeking bids from construction firms interested in installing the safety improvements.
In the past year or so, the city issued three RFPs for the Reimagining Pine Avenue project. Each of those RFPs generated one bid proposal from the same construction firm. Because only one firm bid on those RFPs, and because the quoted prices were higher than the city hoped for, all three of those bids were rejected. The mayor and commission hope expanding the project to include Spring and Magnolia avenues will make the project more attractive and lucrative to more construction firms, which could generate more bid proposals for the expanded project.
