Bids for recreation center over budget
Change in contractors for renovation project spurs increase in city’s costs
By DAVE SHELTON
Article published on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008  |
LARGO – The $2.15 million renovation of the city’s Southwest Recreation Complex is more than $100,000 over budget before work has begun.
Parks, Recreation and Arts Director Joan Byrne reported to the city commission Aug. 5 that the overage was caused by the lowest bidder on the project withdrawing its proposal and by changes in the project’s plans.
Work is expected to begin this month, with closing of the complex’s main building. The City Commission approved a lease for a storefront in the nearby Barclay Square shopping center where the fitness room and other activities will be held until renovations are finished in the complex, scheduled for next April.
The City Commission also approved allocation of $107,000 from next year’s Penny for Pinellas funds to cover the overage.
A local contractor, Gilbert and Sons, withdrew its $1.78 million bid July 16, Byrne said, leaving the city to choose the next-highest bidder, Heart Construction LLC, St. Petersburg. That firm and five others all bid over the budget ceiling.
Heart Construction, she said, proposed doing the renovation for $2.04 million compared to Gilbert’s withdrawn bid of $1.78 million. She said that included addition of a new “program room,” a toilet in the building’s day care center and painting the existing building, $35,000, so it blends in with the new construction.
Byrne said an additional $35,000 bill from the city’s architect for last-minute plan changes and $175,000 for new furniture would bring the total budget over the top.
Commissioners voiced concern over the increased architect’s fees and painting of the old building. All said they were happy with the addition of 19 parking spaces to the facility where, they said, parking has always been a problem.
The commission voted unanimously to approve the budget changes, the architect’s fees and awarding the bid to Heart Construction.
In other action, the commission scrapped plans to compel developers to either incorporate public art in their projects of more than $2 million or contribute to a city public art fund.
The measure was opposed by the Largo Mid-Pinellas Chamber of Commerce. Chamber president Tom Morrissette said the requirement could deter builders “who are already having a hard time.”
“We should not be saying ‘yes we want you in Largo and here’s what it will cost you’,” added Commissioner Gigi Arntzen. “We need to encourage development.”
Commissioner Mary Gray Black agreed, adding that she didn’t want to force future City Commissions to include artwork in city projects as the code would require.
A lone vote in favor of the new codes was cast by Commissioner Woody Brown, who said he didn’t believe developers would include any public art unless it was required.
Mayor Pat Gerard said she was changing her vote to a “nay” because she learned other area cities listed by Byrne didn’t require the developers to contribute, but to allow the city to place public art on their land.
Commissioner Harriet Crozier said, “I don’t want to say no but I don’t have enough comfort feeling to say yes.” She said she was concerned with the proposed Public Art Advisory board’s creation.
“We don’t hear a public crying out for art,” added Commissioner Rodney Woods. “I have heard more for sidewalks.”
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Article published on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008
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