As City Council may recall, this project is included in the City's current Capital Improvement Program approved by City Council during last year's budget process. Phase 1 design elements include the construction of landscaping improvements in selected center medians on US Hwy 19 within the City's Corporate Limits. The selected medians are at the northern City limits from Bellview Drive to Avery Road. The southern City Limits north of Trouble Creek Road and the median located south of Main Street. The remaining center medians improvements are included in the Phase 2 project which is anticipated to begin construction in the spring of 2017.
On Thursday, June 9, 2016 one competitive bid was submitted by Morelli Landscaping, Inc. The bid amount of $265,624.00 was $4,624.00 above the Architect's probable cost estimate of $261,000.00. Construction Management staff contacted the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to inquire if the City awarded a project to a lone bidder would it be allowed under the grant guidelines. FDOT staff expressed no objections to awarding the project to Morelli Landscaping, Inc. as they have worked with them on similar projects as well, and have found them to be reliable, honest and fully committed to the installation of exceptional landscapes. Construction Management staff contacted one of the landscaping companies that had picked up a copy of the Invitation to Bid (ITB) as well. The purpose of the contact was to inquire why they did not bid on the project. The company's response was the project was too small for them to commit staff; the return on investment wasn't there. Finally, in 2013 Morelli Landscaping, Inc. completed the 12/13 Downtown Tree Replacement Project for the City under budget and under the contract term limit.
The Landscape Architect has reviewed the bid documents, verified references, and has recommended the bid award of the project to Morelli Landscaping, Inc.