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Pensacola News Journal,
September 4, 2008
Viewpoint:
And the answer is: Still no bike path
Dan Henderson
This is a pop-quiz for residents of Perdido Key who have lived in the
area since 2005: What construction project was approved by Escambia
County in November 2005, but to this day has not been completed?
If your memory is really good and you answered, "River Road
bike/pedestrian path," congratulations.
This contract was for an 8-foot-wide asphalt bike/pedestrian path the
length of River Road, with a negotiated cost of construction of
$293,483.19. The notice to proceed was issued Aug. 29, 2006, with an
estimated completion time of 90 to 120 days.
This 2.3-mile project was partially completed in 2007, then halted for
some unknown reason that never was fully explained by county officials.
The contractor was issued a payment in June 2007 of $125,000, for
constructing approximately 1.6 miles, and we were left with a partially
completed path. There was never any mention of "liquidated damages,"
which are charges to a contractor who does not complete a project in the
allotted time as described in the contract.
On June 30, 2008, there was an "invitation for bids" for a "River Road
Shared Path-Phase II," advertised in the Pensacola News Journal. The
county probably hopes you won't remember that the entire project was
originally described as an 8-foot-wide shared path the length of River
Road — not Phase I and Phase II.
I guess the time frame for completion was "as long as it takes, and
don't expect any explanation for the delay."
This project was controversial from the beginning regarding the
location, due to wetland bridging areas, although they now are going to
fill in portions of the wetlands. They seem to accept a less than
professional project where the cost is more important than the quality.
Include the lack of attention to details, such as permitting, quality
control of the construction, time allowed for construction, and you get
a substandard path that does nothing to enhance the neighborhood's
appearance.
Commissioner Gene Valentino has been telling us for months that the
project was to be completed at various times, but so far the last two
sections — the wetland areas and the small portion under the Baars
Bridge — are yet to be completed.
Is it any wonder that the general public is skeptical when the county is
involved in construction projects when it can't complete a 2.3-mile
asphalt bike/pedestrian path in more than two years?
Dan Henderson is a resident of Perdido Key.
In your voice
Pensacola News Journal, August 22, 2008
Perdido plot preserved
Escambia to restrict
area at Key from development
Jamie Page,
jepage@pnj.com
About 3 acres of open land on Perdido Key soon will be protected from
development forever.
The Escambia County Commission on Thursday voted unanimously to purchase
the land at 14700 River Road for conservation purposes.
The county expects the $548,000 in local sales tax it plans to spend on
the tract to be reimbursed by state and federal grants.
The land borders Perdido Key State Park, is across the street from
public beach access and near the bicycle path being installed along
River Road. A small part of the conservation land will be used for
parking for beachgoers and bicyclists, said Keith Wilkins, director of
Escambia Neighborhood and Environmental Services.
The purchase keeps the land from being developed and provides habitat
for the protected Perdido Key beach mouse, said Commission Chairman Gene
Valentino, who represents the district including the Key.
Ann Griffin, president of Perdido Key Association, is excited about the
deal.
"That's the kind of innovative and creative strategies that we like to
see them do," Griffin said. "We believe strongly that a good long-range
plan for the island includes conservation space, and their moving
forward to preserve some of that is commendable. The fact that they're
using creative sources of grant funding to help pay for it is excellent.
That's the right direction."
The property, on the south side of the Florencia condominium
development, is being purchased from Florencia Development Inc.
It has been appraised at more than $501,000, said County Attorney Alison
Rogers. In addition, there's $47,000 worth of other costs, such as a
$35,000 fee to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for
obtaining the grant, and $12,000 for closing costs, Rogers said.
The county has a $411,000 U.S. Fish and Wildlife reimbursement grant,
and it is expecting a $134,000 reimbursement grant next year from
Florida Communities Trust, to reimburse the county for most of the cost.
The Fish and Wildlife Commission is contributing $3,000 in in-kind
contributions, Wilkins said.
The more things change -
the more they
stay the same
Read Carl Wernike's 2003 Editorial regarding Caps and
Zoning on Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key. Our future was being
forecast.
Perdido in the
News
8-24-08:
Hatchling sea turtles need
help from humans to survive
7-02-08:
Update From Gene Valentino: SR # 292
Sorrento/Gulf Beach Hwy
6-21-08:
Letter to Editor: Key dwelling
'cap'
4-10-08:
Perdido Key Sea Turtle
Friendly Lighting Workshop
4-4-08:
A dangerous path to
Perdido: 'Everybody seems to be in a hurry out here'
3-19-08:
Perdido Key scheduled to get RV
park, marina
10-2-07:
SW Escambia Roads Presentation
9-6-07:
Supreme Court
knocks down taxing
precedent
8-11-07:
Hurricane lessons lost in county's Perdido Key plan
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Message
from the Commissioner Regarding River Road Bike Path
May 2, 2008
Dear Precinct Leaders & Friends:
Gene asked that I pass this on. Indeed, this is good news insofar as we
will finally look forward to the completion of the River Road Bicycle \
Walking Path. The matter will be brought to the BCC at the May 15th
Commission meeting by staff recommendation. Assuming that the item
passes, and there is no reason to assume otherwise, the County Engineer
will re-bid the job; takes about 45 days. Following that construction
will begin. So, we are hopefully looking to about 90 days from the time
that the BCC approves the staff recommendation. We will continue to keep
you apprised.
Thank you.
Dean Kirschner
Commissioner Aide, District 2
PH 850-595-4920
All BCC meetings are open to
the public and are held in Board Chambers, First Floor, Escambia County
Governmental Complex, 221 Palafox Place. You are encouraged to attend.
Please
contact the commissioners
with your views on this important issue.
Make yourself heard
- If you have a request or
problem with Escambia County there is a special place on their website to
make yourself heard.
LINK
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