Town receives groin bids

The town received four bid proposals this week to construct two permeable, adjustable-type groins that will be built behind The Islander Club to counteract a fast-eroding beach.

The lowest proposal — $899,898 — came from Punta Gorda-based Marine Contracting Group Inc.

Longboat Key Purchasing Manager Gerry Wilson was pleased with the low bid, especially because the town estimated the project would cost between $1.5 million and $1.8 million.

“It’s a good starting point to work with,” Wilson said.

The three other proposals came from Stuart-based Lucas Marine Construction ($2,347,752); Cleburne, Texas,-based Cayo Lp Marine Construction ($1,676,000); and Fort Myers-based Kelly Brothers Inc. ($1,387,300).

All four proposals include construction, mobilization and demobilization costs.

Wilson said Marine Contracting Group’s proposal is the lowest, because the company will not outsource any of the work to other contractors.

The proposals will be evaluated, and the companies will be researched before the Public Works Department and town beach engineer Coastal Planning & Engineering make their recommendation.

Wilson said he expects the recommendation by Monday, June 15, at which time he will review the selection and alert Town Manager Bruce St. Denis of the selection.

It’s the town’s intent to select a contractor as soon as possible because the unique timetable for the project will require the selected contractor to prepare for months in advance.

“Sea turtles nest on this beach in the summer, and we cannot do any construction from May 1 through Oct. 31 for that reason,” Public Works Director Juan Florensa said.

Once construction begins in November, Florensa said a best-case scenario for completion of the groins is May 2010, right before the following sea-turtle season begins.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].