$200K Mullet Creek Bridge project to begin soon
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A $200,000 capitol improvement project for the Mullet Creek Bridge near downtown Safety Harbor is set to begin soon following the City Commission’s recent approval of a contract with a local construction company.
On June 20, the commission awarded a contract to Midcoast Construction Enterprises, LLC in the amount of $198,000 to perform the work, which will include adding timber-style railings flanking a pedestrian walkway.
The contract includes a 12 percent contingency of $23,760, which could bring the total amount of the contract to $221,760.
The improvements to the bridge, which spans a short section of Philippe Parkway just north of Main Street, were designed to draw attention to that area, according to officials.
“I think the project is intended to enhance the aesthetics of the entrance to the downtown area,” Mayor Andy Steingold said prior to the approval of the contract.
“I agree the beautification is needed,” Commissioner Cliff Merz added.
The project was originally approved by the Community Redevelopment Agency back in November of 2014, but was delayed due to structural repairs that had to be made to the bridge.
That delay, as well as other factors, led to an increase in the original budget of $175,000, according to officials.
“There was a little bit of extra milling and resurfacing added to it on each side of the street imprint area,” City Engineer John Powell explained to the commission.
“And when we did the budget, it was in 2013. Costs have gone up somewhat in that time period,” he added. “Plus we only got two bids. Had we got more bids, I would’ve expected more of a range in costs.”
The backup materials for the agenda item show the other bid was for $286,233, nearly $90,000 higher than Midcoast’s.
In unanimously approving the contract, the commission okayed a budget adjustment for this year; $175,000 in CRA funds had already been earmarked for the project, while the rest will come from surplus CRA funds, according to City Manager Matt Spoor.
“There’s sufficient fund reserves in the current fiscal year for the transfer,” Spoor told the commission.
In addition to the improvement project, the bridge was recently repainted, and a sewer pipe repair was made.
Also, last month the Public Art Committee approved a proposal by local artist Heather Richardson to add colorful depictions of birds and nature to the bridge, which will help tie it in with artwork at nearby Mullet Creek Park. If approved by the city, that project would be scheduled sometime in FY 16/17.
Work on the bridge is expected to begin in the next week or so and will take approximately 6-8 weeks to complete.
Officials said motorists should expect minor, periodic delays while the work is taking place.
In related news, a proposed boutique resort planned for the property adjacent to the bridge has yet to materialize, despite receiving unanimous approval from the commission last August.
According to city officials, the applicant, John Mahan, recently submitted plans to secure a building permit for the project, which calls for a two-story, 5,400-sq.ft resort to be built on 3 acres near the southwest corner of the bridge.
If the permit were to be approved, Mahan would have at least one year to break ground on the project, although he could apply for an extension from the City Commission.
Safety Harbor Connect attempted to contact Mr. Mahan in regards to his plans to develop the property, but we did not receive a reply prior to the publication of this article.
Related content:
- With permit secured, Waterfront Park boardwalk project could begin soon
- Commission approves small resort near downtown Safety Harbor
- Permanent art sculpture commissioned for Mullet Creek Park
