It’s a modern aesthetic for a historic district.
The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency is getting ready to begin a new phase of its utility undergrounding project along Third, Fourth and Fifth streets south in the historic district.
The undergrounding project got underway with the CRA’s approval of Florida Power and Lights’ binding cost estimate of $195,853.
A binding cost estimate is a nonrefundable charge for the cost of providing underground electric facilities that exceeds the cost of equivalent overhead facilities.
The CRA began undergrounding work in 2018, when it approved the project to bury utilities along Bridge Street and some parts of Gulf Drive.
CRA members still have some frustrations over past work involving FPL, which failed to complete tasks on time and made accounting errors that left the city scrambling for funds.
City attorney Ricinda Perry, project manager for the undergrounding work, said she understood the frustration over the remaining FPL utility poles.
Perry said the CRA was put into “a very challenging situation” when FPL miscalculated cost estimates, leaving Bradenton Beach over budget on the past phases.
Commissioner Jan Vosburgh said there are 33 poles that FPL still needs to remove.
“In the beginning, they were supposed to come down in January, this is September,” Vosburgh said.
Commissioner Ralph Cole, CRA chair, stressed patience in dealing with FPL.
“I want to make sure that we get a good relationship with FPL. I’m sure as we get through the next stage, that they will get through the hurdles of what they have to do to remove those poles,” he said.
The next phase of undergrounding deals with FPL, Verizon and Spectrum utilities.
The projected cost is $741,000, to be paid for by general CRA funds.
Vosburgh moved to approve the binding cost estimate from FPL and pay the required $195,853. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Marilyn Maro and passed unanimously.
In other news, the CRA heard a monthly report from EZ park shuttle service owner Josh LaRose about maintenance of vehicles and an added tram car.
Also, the CRA approved three invoices: Easy Parking, $4,800; Easy Parking, $4,490; and Perry, $2,256.30.
The next CRA meeting will be at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 5, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.
About the CRA
The CRA district, bordered by Cortez Road, Sarasota Bay, Fifth Street South and the Gulf of Mexico, was deemed blighted in 1992, allowing for incremental tax revenue to promote restoration and growth, including tourism.
The CRA board includes the city commission, Mayor John Chappie and appointed members Ed Chiles and David Bell.