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In this newsletter, you will find information about current projects and work completed by BEI since the May 2009 Newsletter that will hopefully be of interest. The project updates are in the following order: • Town of Indian Shores, Florida Projects Town of Indian Shores, Florida Projects Beautification of Gulf Blvd. Since the completion of the undergrounding of all overhead utilities, installation of new streetlights, and reconstruction of the road by the Florida Department of Transportation, the Town of Indian Shores has been active through their BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE in implementing streetscape items along the new road. Brotherton Engineering, Inc. has been providing ideas and designs for the various streetscape elements. These include a new standard white CPVC mailbox that can be accessed from both the front and back for safety, landscape design for the new white bus stops, a new design for street signs to identify both Gulf Blvd. and City Streets along Gulf Blvd., new custom made concrete trash cans with removable liners and lids and made with custom art relief design, as well as new benches to be placed at bus stops that do not have a bus shelter, and new white bus shelters with custom lettering to identify the Town of Indian Shores with blue and yellow accent. Pictures of some items are shown below:
Recycle Center Design and Construction Since street improvements that were made on 193rd Ave. have been completed, including new public parking for Beach Access, Brotherton Engineering, Inc. designed a new foundation with 8 foot fence to totally enclose the recycle center dumpster system. The original facility did not have easy public access and parking provided. Dedicated parking is now provided for the new Recycle Center with easy access for citizens as well as an easy access gate for the transfer truck. The old enclosure is now used for a Town construction dumpster that is lower in height. The foundation of the new facility was designed with a steel reinforced footer and conduit sweeps that can allow this foundation to be used for a building in the future. Pictures of this new facility are shown below.
Public Services Parking and Drainage Improvements Since the Public Services Building is located adjacent to the Intercoastal Waterway with a seawall and boat docks for the Pinellas County Sheriff’s office, the pavement of the parking area, that was historically gravel, had to include drainage facilities and at the same time be aesthetically pleasing and minimize the loss of use of the parking area. Brotherton Engineering, Inc. prepared a design that called for the leveling of the old gravel area, leveling and final course of asphalt, two retention ponds, and controlled grade of the asphalt and brick pavers to provide drainage as well as make the building and dock area ADA accessible. Brick pavers were used to provide underground access to utilities along the seawall and improve the aesthetics of the marina facility.
Implementation of various requirements of the NPDES permit continued this year according to permit requirements. Several elements of the permit were completed this year including the recycling requirements, brochure requirements, sign requirements, and development of the new Stormwater Ordinance for the City. 197th and 193rd Ave. reconstruction including drainage and landscape improvements 197th and 193rd Ave. suffered from a deteriorated valley gutter and asphalt as well as improperly sloped asphalt. Parking facilities were added with handicap parking also added along with landscaped parking medians on 197th Ave. All work was done within budget and on schedule. The contractor (Acerbo, Inc.) has just moved their office to the Town of Indian Shores and has been the successful low bidder on several Town projects.
Landscaping of Gulf Blvd. with FDOT Grant The permit from FDOT with approval of design plans was received in September of 2009. Following the installation of Reclaimed Water in two of the 5 medians, the project will be bid which is anticipated by January of 2010. The project will include not only landscaping of the medians near the intersection with Park Blvd. but will also include palm trees on both sides of the road. A view of the new road and underground utilities is shown below before landscaping starts. Undergrounding of utilities opens up the sides of the road for tree additions to create a corridor effect.
Assistance to Town Attorney for property condemnation One property in the Town of Indian Shores has not been kept in proper condition and has been condemned by the Building Official. This property is in litigation with the property owner not wanting to demolish the building. This issue may be going to trial soon. Brotherton Engineering, Inc. provided assistance in investigating site issues. Misc. Work Items Brotherton Engineering, Inc. has provided assistance to the Town of Indian Shores over the last few months in their process of selecting Architects for the new Town Hall, completed a street sign inventory with cost quotes, and provided assistance to various condos in their efforts to beautify their property in coordination with the Gulf Blvd. beautifications efforts by the Town.
The City of Belleair Beach Projects SWFWMD Permit Modification Due to construction of the new Town Hall facility, old SWFWMD permits had been combined and overlapped. Brotherton Engineering, Inc. prepared a drawing and completed forms to designate the proper permit numbers with parcels that actually contain the proper drainage sub-basins. Drainage Structure Design Construction by a contractor on a waterfront home caused damage to a drainage structure in the City street. An inspection had to be made to determine if the contractor was at fault. The structure had failed due to improper construction many years ago and also the corrosion from the saltwater environment due to saltwater being in this pipe during high tide. Brotherton Engineering, Inc. then designed the repair for the structure and assisted the City in obtaining bids for repair. The City of Indian Rocks Beach In 2005, Brotherton Engineering, Inc. prepared a report and cost estimates on undergrounding the overhead utilities in the entire City including Gulf Blvd. The City Council at that time opted not to move forward with undergrounding. With current funding being provided by Pinellas County through the Penny-for-Pinellas tax funds; an opportunity exists for the City to obtain funding to underground part or all of Gulf Blvd. Brotherton Engineering, Inc. brought the new City Manager up to date on this report. Brotherton Engineering, Inc. will be providing assistance again to the City as they move forward with identifying the issues and costs associated with this overhead utility undergrounding project including a 12,000 volt power distribution line. Springwood I Condominium Brotherton Engineering, Inc. has a continuing contract with this development to assist them in certain infrastructure reconstruction and repairs. A request was made by the Board to investigate the retaining wall in the retention pond of this development. The investigation was completed with a report with certain recommendations on rip-rap placement and planting of cypress trees. The investigation also discovered an erosion problem on HWY 19 by a contractor working for the FDOT. Eroded material was entering the Springwood I retention pond due to failure of the contractor to properly maintain the construction work area. The repairs were made by the FDOT contractor after notification by Brotherton Engineering, Inc. Misc. Projects
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