The future Downtown Riverfront Walkway Project, which will connect Veteran’s Memorial and Gemini Parks, will be on the agenda next Tuesday, bringing the ambitious venture closer to fruition.
During the next meeting, City Council will vote to award the $998,000 project to local Titusville company Rush Marine, who also built the current pier at Veteran’s Memorial Park.
The genesis of the project traces back to July 17, 2020, when both the Community Redevelopment Agency and the City Council awarded a contract to Jacksonville-based Taylor Engineering. Tasked with conducting a feasibility study, the renowned firm was chosen for its expertise and commitment to community-oriented designs.
Progress accelerated on February 9, 2021, when Taylor Engineering introduced the initial project concept. Evidently impressed with their vision, city staff requested a proposal from the engineering firm for the final design of the anticipated pier connection.
This proposal secured the unanimous approval of both the City Council and the Community Redevelopment Agency on May 11, 2021, paving the way for the final design phase of the Downtown Riverfront Walkway Project.
More recently, on June 15, 2023, the city openly advertised the project to a host of prospective contractors. DemandStar, a popular platform for public procurement, saw downloads of the bid package by an impressive 1160 contractors, including 43 local entities. A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting was also held on June 27, 2023, with five interested vendors in attendance.
Following a competitive bidding process, three vendors submitted bids at the City’s official opening on July 20, 2023. The bid tabulation was as follows:
- Rush Marine, Titusville, FL: $998,656
- C&D Construction, Cocoa, FL: $1,458,705
- Granite Construction Co. of CA, Tampa, FL: $2,654,811
City staff have since recommended that the contract be awarded to Rush Marine of Titusville, FL, whose bid of $998,656 offers the most cost-effective solution. Alongside the contract approval, staff also urge the endorsement of an associated budget amendment and authorization for the Mayor to execute the contract.
The final decision on this critical project milestone is set to occur at the forthcoming City Council Meeting, currently scheduled for August 8th, 2023, at 6:30 pm at City Hall.
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Author: SpaceCoast Mike
Raised on the Space Coast, I want to keep North Brevard informed of what's happening. Send Tips / Story Ideas to TitusvilleMedia@gmail.com