Friends of the Hacienda approached staff, indicating they wish to raise funds to support the Hacienda restoration. Staff indicated the reopened and partially restored Bank Street entry would be a good project to complete by restoring the historic wall that once fronted the street.

In preparation of this project, staff worked with Bender and Associates to prepare the necessary engineering documents. Bender subsequently sent those drawing to the Division of Historic Resources. On June 2, 2017, the Division approved Bender's work.

The restoration will only involve construction of the wall and not the Mullet Stucco. Bender feels strongly that only one firm in the State of Florida, Old World Walls and Ceilings, which has been doing the stucco restoration, is capable of accurately replicating this unique feature. Therefore, the bids were considered without the Mullet Stucco line item cost.

Staff reached out to several contractors and received three bids.

• $60,388 Hennessy Construction Services
• $43,283 DL Porter Constructors, Inc.
• $18,658 Greg Henry, Inc.

Greg Henry, a local licensed contractor, was the low bid. DL Porter had included the cost of the Mullet Stucco as a line item at $11,700, therefore, the comparable bid amount would have been $31,583. Additionally, Porter indicated its bid was high due to the workload of its subcontractors. Hennessey's bid did not state the Mullet Stucco cost and appeared to be the most costly.

Staff reached out to Old World Design regarding the finish work. Old World indicated it would honor its estimate of $11,700 to complete the project once the wall is completed.