Title
A Resolution of the City Commission accepting the recommendation to waive the Competitive Bid Process of the Procurement Code and contract with Allen Architectural Metals, Inc. for the restoration and replication of the Historic White Way Light Poles, Sections 2 and 3, along University Drive between Riviera Drive and Bird Road and along Riviera Drive between Anastasia Avenue and University Drive, pursuant to Section 2-691 of the Procurement Code as a continuation of the approval issued on Resolution 2021-50, at a total cost of $308,414.00 (Phase 2 - $189,460.00 for 34 poles and Phase 3 - $118,954.00 for 25 poles).
Body
On March 23, 2021, Resolution 2021-50 was approved via Bid Waiver to engage Allen Architectural Metals, Inc. to undertake the restoration and replication of the historic poles on the White Way Light corridor, along University Dr. between Ponce de Leon and Bird Road and along Riviera Dr. between Anastasia Ave and University Dr. The budget was initially approved only for Section 1 of the corridor (University Dr. between Ponce de Leon and Riviera Dr.) since funds were not available for Sections 2 and 3 at the time.
The budget is now available to proceed with Sections 2 and 3, along University Dr. between Riviera Dr. and Bird Rd and along Riviera Dr. between Anastasia Ave and University Dr. and this new Resolution will allow, the existing contractor, Allen Architectural Metals, Inc. to continue with the restoration and replication of the historic poles on those sections.
The original poles were designed in the 1920s by Phineas Paist, Coral Gables Supervising Architect, and Denman Fink, the Artistic Director for the City. Constructed of cast iron, the poles have highly decorative bases and were designated as Local Historic Landmarks in 1981. Because the pole locations are owned by FPL, as the poles have failed, they were replaced with their standard, inappropriate poles. The City is in the process of acquiring the pole locations for Sections 2 and 3 of the corridor, which will allow for the restoration of the remaining poles and also for the replication of the historic poles to return to their original locations. This will be done in phases and the infrastructure to rewire and ground the pole locations on Section 2 has already been completed. Allen Architectural Metals, Inc. provided the lowest proposal and has successfully performed the conservation work in Section 1 as inspected and approved by the Historic Resources Department.
Fiscal Impact
The White Way Lights are highly ornamental and designated historic. Their restoration and replication will impact positively the Quality of Life in the City Beautiful. If restoration is delayed, costs would increase due to escalations/inflation.