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 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 – 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
ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria has issued a request for proposals (RFP) seeking a tenant to lease and operate a takeout grill and bait shop on the new City Pier.
“The city of Anna Maria requests proposals for a tenant to operate a grill and bait shop located on the historic Anna Maria City Pier which shall have a family-friendly and simple takeout style food and beverage service, with fishing bait available,” the RFP says.
Mayor Dan Murphy presented a draft version of the RFP during Friday’s emergency city commission meeting. Additional input from commissioners and potential bidders Sherman Baldwin and Brian Seymour helped produce the revised RFP posted later that day at the city website.
The RFP pertains to the city-owned bait shop building on the left side of the pier’s T-end deck area, as viewed from shore. The RFP does not seek responses to operate a full-service restaurant in the larger city-owned building to the right.
The pier building on the left is being offered for lease as a grill and bait shop. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
On July 30, the city commission rejected by 3-2 vote the restaurant and bait shop lease proposal for both buildings presented by Ugly Grouper LLC. The pursuit of a full-service restaurant tenant is currently on hold and may or may not be pursued in the future.
A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting will take place at city hall on Thursday, Aug. 13 at 10:30 a.m. The pre-bid meeting will provide potential bidders the opportunity to pose questions and learn more about the available space. Monday, Aug. 17 is the deadline to submit written questions. Bid proposals must be submitted prior to the public bid openings at 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 21.
RFP details
According to the RFP, the grill and bait shop space is approximately 300 square feet, and that is the primary area being offered for lease. As discussed Friday, the RFP also references the possible use of some additional space inside the larger pier building for cold storage, including a walk-in cooler and/or freezer.
The areas shaded in blue are being offered for lease in the new RFP. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The RFP notes the common areas outside the bait shop can be used by the tenant’s customers on a first-come, first-served basis, but those tables and benches cannot be reserved. The common area may also be used for live entertainment subject to city approval.
The RFP states the common areas must be open to the public seven days a week from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. The grill and bait shop is expected to operate seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., but alternative hours could be considered.
During Friday’s meeting, Murphy and the commission agreed the entire pier will close at 10 p.m., or soon thereafter, and remain closed overnight – unlike the old City Pier that remained open around the clock. The commission also supported Commissioner Mark Short’s suggestion to limit the bait shop and grill tenant’s beverage sales to beer, wine and soft drinks.
The RFP offers an initial five-year lease with one five-year extension available at the tenant’s option.
The proposals will be evaluated and independently scored based in part upon the proposed annual rent; the estimated costs of tenant’s buildout and equipment; the limited food and beverage menu and prices, including bait shop offerings; the tenant’s small grill, restaurant and takeout experience; the estimated timeframe to become fully operational and references and verifiable information regarding the bidder’s financial ability to perform.
Regarding the interior buildout of the leased space, the city will provide drywall, flooring, a kitchen hood, a grease trap and interceptor, fire suppression and roughed-in electrical and plumbing, excluding fixtures.
The tenant will provide the fixtures, equipment, painting, finish work and other materials needed to complete the interior buildout – and bidders must provide the estimated cost of their improvements and equipment.
“The tenant is expected to have 45 days to complete the buildout of the grill and bait shop interiors and then open for business,” the RFP says.
The city will clean and maintain the exterior of the leased building and the common area around it. The city will also clean and maintain the public restrooms and maintain and repair the air conditioning and heating units that serve the leased area. In exchange, the tenant will reimburse the city for 10% of those actual cleaning and maintenance costs during the first year of the lease. That percentage will then be reevaluated and negotiated annually.
The tenant will also reimburse the city for 10% of the city’s actual costs to clean and maintain the rest of the pier’s common areas, including the pier platform, the approach area and the parking area. Should the city decide to employ a pier maintenance manager, the tenant may also be required to share up to 10% of the manager’s salary.
ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria City Commission has rejected Mario Schoenfelder’s final offer to lease the restaurant and bait shop buildings at the end of the new Anna Maria City Pier.
The commission reached this decision with a 5-0 vote at a special meeting on Friday, Jan. 10. A request for proposals (RFP) will now be issued seeking lease offers from other restaurant operators.
Schoenfelder participated in Friday’s meeting by telephone from Germany. He joined Mayor Dan Murphy and Commissioners Carol Carter, Jon Crane, Joe Muscatello, Mark Short and Amy Tripp in a 45-minute discussion about the written lease offer he submitted in late December. Crane also participated by phone.
Schoenfelder offered to pay $8,000 per month in initial base rent. He also offered to pay the $865,000 his architectural team estimated it would cost him to complete the interior buildouts and install the equipment needed to operate a restaurant and bait shop.
Schoenfelder proposed the first six months of the new 10-year lease be rent-free, with an annual Consumer Price Index-based increase starting after three years. Schoenfelder’s final offer was $4,000 per month less than the $12,000 he offered last fall, which also included $500,000 for the interior buildouts.
Schoenfelder previously rejected two lease options proposed by the city. One option proposed an initial base rent of $21,600 per month. The other proposed $18,900 per month, with an additional $250,000 up front.
When Schoenfelder rejected those options, the commission gave him until Dec. 31 to submit his final offer. The commission also authorized Murphy to prepare an RFP in case his final offer was rejected.
Signed in 2000 with an initial base rent of $5,000, Schoenfelder’s current lease expires on Dec. 15, 2020. The last rent payment he made before the old pier closed in 2017 was $11,898.
Friday’s discussion
Carter asked Schoenfelder why he offered $8,000 when he was paying approximately $12,000 before.
Schoenfelder said his previous $12,000 offer was based on contributing $500,000 for the buildouts. He said the $8,000 figure factored in the additional $365,000 for his buildout and equipment costs.
The City Pier project has an estimated total cost of approximately $5 million. Murphy said city taxpayers are responsible for $2.6 million of that and it would take 20 years to recoup those costs if the commission accepted Schoenfelder’s offer.
Addressing another concern Schoenfelder raised in his written offer, Murphy said the city would take out an insurance policy on the pier that would cover the improvements made by the pier tenant, minus any items that could be removed by the tenant. Murphy said the estimated $50,000 in annual insurance costs would add seven more years to the 20-year cost recovery timetable for Schoenfelder’s offer.
“I have a concern about how much obligation the citizens of Anna Maria are going to have if we accept this proposal,” Carter said.
Short said the city has already paid $1.1 million of its $2.6 million pier project obligations, which leaves approximately $1.4 million in remaining city obligations.
Short said it was right to give the current pier tenant the first opportunity to lease the new pier buildings, but he believes it’s now in the city’s best interest to see what other opportunities exist.
Crane said he supports issuing the RFP and receiving additional offers because there’s such a large discrepancy between what Schoenfelder and the city think the rent should be.
“The RFP process helps you find the rent number, besides finding the vendor,” Crane said.
He said he hoped Schoenfelder would participate in the RFP process.
“If I would take part in the RFP, my proposal would be the exact same thing. I wouldn’t change one number,” Schoenfelder said.
“I’d like to see more options,” Tripp said.
“Let the market set the rate. The market will tell us what the rent’s worth,” Muscatello said.
The current pier tenant’s time on the City Pier appears to be ending. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
During public comment, part-time Holmes Beach resident Maureen Myers said the pier restaurant needs to be economically accessible to a wide range of pier users. She also asked how the city calculated its proposed rent options.
Former Commissioner Doug Copeland encouraged the commission to issue the RFP.
“This offer is unacceptable, and I encourage you to reject it,” he said.
In response to Myers, Murphy said, “This is a plain and simple math problem. How much do you have invested and what’s the timeframe you want it paid back on?”
“Let’s let the market decide whether this should be a restaurant or not. Maybe it should be some sort of public conveyance. Parks don’t have a payback over 10 years. It could ultimately be that the pier is not the venue for a restaurant because it won’t pay for itself. Going the RFP route, the market will decide what’s in the best interest and what the payback will be,” Murphy said.
Murphy said it’s not yet known how the remaining months of Schoenfelder’s current lease will be addressed.
ANNA MARIA – Mario Schoenfelder now has until Dec. 31 to submit his final offer for the lease of the restaurant and bait shop buildings being built on the new Anna Maria City Pier.
During an emergency commission meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 26, the Anna Maria City Commission unanimously granted Schoenfelder’s written request for more time to prepare and submit his final lease offer, which was originally due Friday, Dec. 13.
Mayor Dan Murphy told the commission Schoenfelder needs time to analyze the information he receives from his own contractor regarding the estimated cost for the interior build-outs for the city-owned buildings he hopes to lease. Murphy said Schoenfelder expects to have that information by Dec. 8 and he expects to submit his final offer by Dec. 30.
Mason Martin Builders is building the exterior shells of the new restaurant and bait shop buildings but that firm’s contract with the city does not include the interior build-outs to be completed by the pier tenant.
“I would recommend that we give him this extension, but it is certainly up to each of you,” Murphy said to the commission regarding Schoenfelder’s request.
Participating by phone, Commissioner Mark Short referenced the commission’s recent decision to authorize Murphy to prepare and have ready a request for proposals that would allow other restaurateurs to submit lease proposals if the commission rejects Schoenfelder’s final offer.
Short asked if giving Schoenfelder more time would delay that RFP process. Murphy said it would not. Short asked if the RFP would be ready to present to the commission on Jan. 9, if needed. Murphy said it would.
Murphy recommended the commission not make any final decisions regarding Schoenfelder’s final offer or the issuance of an RFP until a full commission is seated on Jan. 9. That’s when the commission will appoint someone to fill the commission seat Dale Woodland vacates on Dec. 5 due to his failure to properly qualify for the 2019 city elections.
Murphy said Schoenfelder will not return to the United States until March and would like to discuss his final offer with the commission as a whole.
“March is too long to wait. We need to know, and he needs to know, where we stand on his final offer,” Murphy said of that timeline.
Murphy said the commission discussion with Schoenfelder could take place in January via Skype, telephone or some other means of electronic communication, but the commission first needs to see his final offer.
Previous offers
Schoenfelder’s current pier lease expires on Dec. 15, 2020. In October, Schoenfelder rejected two lease options Murphy presented him. One option proposed a base rent of $21,600 per month with a 3% annual increase. The second option proposed a base rent of $18,900 per month, a $250,000 up-front payment and the same annual increase. In an email to Murphy, Schoenfelder noted his own previous offer was $12,000 per month.
When the old pier closed in September 2017, Schoenfelder was paying $9,240 a month, according to his lease contract. His monthly rent was scheduled to increase to $10,080 in December 2018, but that increase never occurred because his lease payments were suspended after the pier was closed.
Other pier matters
On Nov. 26, the commission also authorized Murphy to sign a grant agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for the additional $285,000 the Florida Legislature approved for the pier project earlier this year.
On Tuesday, Nov. 26, this stack of Ipe hardwood decking awaited installation on the new pier walkway. – Joe Hendricks
Murphy said the $285,000 includes restrictions and auditing requirements that didn’t apply to the $750,000 state legislators approved for the pier project in 2018. The $285,000 can only be used for pier enhancements that include but are not limited to public restrooms, electrical wiring from the shore to the pier buildings, pedestrian lighting and pedestrian railings that extend from the pier entrance to the mean low tide level.
The commission approved Murphy’s related request to expand the annual financial auditing services the CS&L accounting firm provides the city to also include audits of the federal and state funds received and spent on the pier project. The pier-related audit reports will also be shared with county officials in appreciation of the county’s financial support of the pier project.
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