TO: Margate CRA Chair and Members of the Board
FROM: Cale Curtis, CRA Executive Director
DATE: March 13, 2024
Title
FPL UNDERGROUNDING PROJECT ON STATE ROAD 7
Body
BACKGROUND: With the litigation concluding, the MCRA is moving ahead with the development of the 50+ acres of MCRA and City owned properties located in the City’s downtown area.
FPL were contacted in April of 2023, to obtain estimated costs to move underground the overhead power lines along State Road 7 between Atlantic Boulevard and Coconut Creek Parkway in anticipation of the downtown development. A “ballpark” cost estimate provided by FPL indicated that this may be a feasible undertaking for the MCRA. The other known overhead utilities (AT&T and Comcast) were also contacted and provided similar, preliminary cost estimates which also supported feasibility. Communications continued between Staff and FPL to proceed with design and establish a guaranteed cost. In order to provide this, FPL requires a special purpose survey of the entire State Road 7 right of way in this section of corridor, along with some adjoining private property impacted by the undergrounding.
The MCRA has a Continuing Services Agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. (Kimley-Horn) for General Engineering Consulting Services and in November of 2023 they submitted a proposal for the survey and professional services to support this undertaking. The proposed Task Order amount is $40,425.00 in total which includes $24,600 for the special purpose survey and the balance for initial planning services and a conceptual opinion of probable cost for the project. It is Staff’s recommendation to retain Kimley-Horn to assist in this project as the State Road 7 work will involve multiple property owners and at least three different utility companies (FPL, Comcast and AT&T) in a highly congested, urban setting. FPL’s design documents can be highly schematic with limited details that don’t typically factor in actual site conditions or other utilities so their design will ultimately need to be augmented to obtain accurate bids for the work. Kimley-Horn has a department dedicated exclusively to undergrounding projects and has extensive experience, having undertaken major projects for other municipalities such as the City of Delray Beach, the Town of Palm Beach and others.
As stated in the MCRA’s Redevelopment Plan, Part 3|D.Public Facilities and Services/Goal I- Work with the City, Broward County, FDOT and other agencies as needed to ensure provision of the necessary public facilities at acceptable levels of service to accommodate existing needs, as well as meet new demands, as proposed development occurs with the Redevelopment Area, the MCRA shall endeavor to relocate overhead utility lines underground to areas outside of immediate visibility in conjunction with new development and redevelopment projects. In addition to the aesthetic benefits, underground utilities are safer, more reliable, and resilient than overhead in both normal operating conditions and especially during weather events.
RECOMMENDATION: For discussion purposes
FISCAL IMPACT: $40,425.00 for Task Order No. 1. This project is being funded under the approved Underground Utilities budget line of the Capital Improvements Program Fund; account number: 340-0510-512.69.20.
CONTACT PERSON: Cale Curtis, CRA Executive Director