• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Videos
    • Featured Video
    • Foodie Friday
    • Monthly ReCap
  • Online E-Editions
    • This Week’s E-Editions
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
  • Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Advertising
  • Local Jobs
  • Puzzles & Games
  • Circulation Request

The Laker/Lutz News

       

Click to join our weekly e-newsletter

  • Home
  • News
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills/East Pasco
    • Business Digest
    • Senior Parks
    • Nature Notes
    • Featured Stories
    • Photos of the Week
    • Reasons To Smile
  • Sports
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills and East Pasco
    • Check This Out
  • Education
  • Pets/Wildlife
  • Health
    • Health Events
    • Health News
  • What’s Happening
  • Sponsored Content
    • Closer Look
  • Homes
  • Obits
  • Public Notices

Issues arise over contract for Zephyrhills project

August 18, 2020 By Kevin Weiss

Construction on the much-anticipated U.S. 301/Pretty Pond Road intersection project in Zephyrhills is in jeopardy of being delayed.

At issue is a contract the city approved for the project, which is considered to be an important improvement to spur commercial development in Zephyrhills.

The city chose BRW Contracting Inc., a Land O’ Lakes company that isn’t on the Florida Department of Transportation’s pre-qualified vendor list.

Florida statute requires contractors to be prequalified with FDOT in order to bid for the performance of road, bridge or public transportation construction contracts greater than $250,000.

Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe (File)

The intersection project is being funded via a $2.3 million appropriation included in this year’s state budget.

The Zephyrhills City Council last month unanimously awarded the project bid and construction agreement to BRW Contracting, in the amount of $2,161,884.40.

The pre-qualification dilemma was brought up by Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe during an Aug. 10 council meeting. He characterized the issue as “a little bit of a hiccup.”

Poe told council members he’s heard conflicting reports from state officials on whether or not the requirement can be exempted for this particular project. He is awaiting final word from state transportation officials.

Further exacerbating the issue, BRW Contracting has indicated it’s not interested in going through the pre-qualification application process at this point, Poe said.

One possible solution could have been to fast-track that process if the contractor had agreed, the city manager said.

If FDOT doesn’t waive the pre-qualification requirement, the city likely will need to re-bid the project.

Besides delaying the project’s start date, Poe said there’s “a pretty good chance” that the new bids would come in higher. He estimated the difference could be as much as $500,000 to $1 million more.

“I don’t know the science behind that (cost) increase, but we know if we go out to bid, it’s not going to be cheaper,” Poe told council members.

Council president Charlie Proctor echoed that point: “My major concern is that it’s going to cost us a lot more money if we have to go out to bid. There’s just no doubt about it.”

The scope of project calls for the relocation of an existing signalized intersection from the shopping plaza entrance to Pretty Pond Road, a signalized intersection at Medical Arts Court, and all other required roadway improvements.

The addition of signalized intersections at these locations is designed to improve the mobility and serve as an economic driver for the northeast and northwest corners of Pretty Pond.

The area is expected to be home to a Chick-fil-A, Aldi, and a national hotel chain, among other businesses.

Construction was anticipated to get underway sometime before Sept. 1, with completion targeted for spring 2021.

Meantime, Poe has reached out to the offices of state representatives Randy Maggard and Wilton Simpson, as well as FDOT District 7 secretary David Gwynn, for additional guidance and other available options on the matter.

With that, he’s informing state leaders that BRW Contracting is a company the city has worked with previously and has confidence in. The contractor helped build out Simons Road, among other projects.

Should the city be forced to bid the project out again, Zephyrhills City Attorney Matt Maggard said canceling its contract with BRW Contracting shouldn’t present a legality issue.

But, he added:  “We really don’t want that to happen.”

Published August 19, 2020

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Email
  • Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Uncontrolled growth says

    December 18, 2020 at 6:58 am

    If aldi’s) wants an intersection let them pay for it aldi is not publicly traded company German owned let the home developers pay for the road or use so called impact fees what zhills needs is more dollar china stores more foreign companies city of pure water owned by nestle an foreign multinational corporation I see how zhills has changed time for me to leave a city I once loved

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search

The Recap Presents…

Sponsored Content

ICI Homes Continues to Sell and Expand in Today’s Market

June 28, 2022 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

ICI Homes, one of Florida’s best-known and prestigious homebuilders, is continuing to sell and expand, as a large number … [Read More...] about ICI Homes Continues to Sell and Expand in Today’s Market

Toni Hedstrom Gets Creative for Buyers and Sellers

June 28, 2022 By Kelli Carmack

Toni Hedstrom, a Lutz resident for 13 years and real estate agent for Compass Realty, is always looking to be creative, … [Read More...] about Toni Hedstrom Gets Creative for Buyers and Sellers

More Posts from this Category

What’s Happening

07/01/2022 – Pottery for beginners

The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will  host “Pottery Making for Beginners” on July 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., for ages 16 and older. Participants can learn the basics of throwing pottery on a wheel. Appointments are available for two-hour time slots: 10 a.m. to noon, and noon to 2 p.m. Safety and liability waivers must be completed prior to the class. Register at PascoLibraries.org. … [Read More...] about 07/01/2022 – Pottery for beginners

07/01/2022 – Recycled collages

The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host a workshop on creating recycle collages on July 1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., for ages 9 and older. Registration is online at PascoLibraries.org. … [Read More...] about 07/01/2022 – Recycled collages

07/02/2022 – Frog storytimes

The Land O’ Lakes Library will present “Oceans of Possibilities Storytimes: Frogs” on July 2, at 9:30 a.m. and at 10:30 a.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway, in Activity Rooms 1 and 2, for children and their caregivers. Register online at PascoLibraries.org. … [Read More...] about 07/02/2022 – Frog storytimes

07/02/2022 – Sponsor invitation

Father & Son Love Free Food Pantry, 21418 Carson Drive in Land O’ Lakes, is seeking corporate sponsorship to keep this food service running — it has served over 4 million meals since June 2018. The pantry will host a “Sip & Save” on July 2 from noon to 3 p.m., to showcase its operations. Guests can sip merlot and enjoy a full hot dog bar with all the trimmings. … [Read More...] about 07/02/2022 – Sponsor invitation

07/02/2022 – Zephyrhills Summerfest

The seventh annual Zephyrhills Summerfest, an Independence Day Celebration, will take place on July 2 from noon to 9:30 p.m., at Zephyr Park, 38116 Fifth Ave. The event includes a vendor market; pony rides/petting zoo; food trucks; bounce houses; water slides; games and giveaways; DJ Express, noon to 7 p.m.; Draw 4, 7:30 p.m. until dark; and fireworks at dark. Guests can bring lawn chairs or blankets. The park is pet-friendly. No alcohol will be served at the festival and cannot be brought to the park. Admission and parking are free. For information, call 727-674-1464. … [Read More...] about 07/02/2022 – Zephyrhills Summerfest

07/04/2022 – 4th of July celebration

Avalon Park’s 4th of July Celebration will take place on July 4 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., in Wesley Chapel. There will be a patriotic bake-off, a bike parade, bounce houses, food trucks, community performances, vendors, and fireworks at 9 p.m. Visit AvalonParkWesleyChapel.com, or call 813-783-1515 for more information. … [Read More...] about 07/04/2022 – 4th of July celebration

More of What's Happening

Follow us on Twitter

The Laker/Lutz News Follow

Your home for weekly news that impacts your life and community. Serving Land O' Lakes, Lutz, New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills and Dade City.

LakerLutzNews
lakerlutznews The Laker/Lutz News @lakerlutznews ·
8h

LCOAL UPDATE: Mike Carballa is Pasco County’s new interim administrator, effective July 30. He has been selected to replace Dan Biles as the county’s new administrator, when Biles’ contract lapses on Oct. 1. Full story: https://lakerlutznews.com/lln/2022/06/103096/

Reply on Twitter 1542894556789833730 Retweet on Twitter 1542894556789833730 Like on Twitter 1542894556789833730 Twitter 1542894556789833730
Retweet on Twitter The Laker/Lutz News Retweeted
mositampa MOSI @mositampa ·
13h

We continue to celebrate MOSI’s 60th Anniversary through our Social Media Contest. In July, we are asking our friends to submit a funny Science meme or photo. Submissions accepted July 1- July 31. Winning submission gets one free MOSI Pioneer Membership. https://conta.cc/39JPT09

Reply on Twitter 1542817813831745537 Retweet on Twitter 1542817813831745537 3 Like on Twitter 1542817813831745537 7 Twitter 1542817813831745537
Retweet on Twitter The Laker/Lutz News Retweeted
pascocountypio Pasco County PIO @pascocountypio ·
30 Jun

#HurricaneSeason 2022 TIP: High winds can whip up with or without warning - having the same effect as a strong thunderstorm or tornado. Older homes can be more at risk. To minimize damage, keep up with home repairs. More info http://MyPasco.net #PascoCounty #PascoPrepares

Reply on Twitter 1542568660304142338 Retweet on Twitter 1542568660304142338 2 Like on Twitter 1542568660304142338 Twitter 1542568660304142338
Load More

Archives

 

 

Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News

Copyright © 2022 Community News Publications Inc.

    Doc
%d bloggers like this: