Mooring field stays afloat

Saying they had too much invested in the project already, a majority of city commissioners voted to continue on with the public mooring field in Sarasota Bay.

“I’m not willing to pull the plug on it,” said Commissioner Dick Clapp.

The city already has spent more than $800,000 on the plan to build 130 boat-storage spots off Bayfront Park.

If it had canceled construction, the city would have had to pay more than $300,000 in penalties.

Instead, up to $150,000 more will be paid to finish the project. Construction has been stalled for a year, because the contractor hired to evaluate the composition of the bay’s floor, Coastal Engineering Consultants, failed to complete its research properly.

As a result, the contractor hired to install the mooring field, Millmac Corp., was unable to secure the moors in the rock surface.

The city approved an $85,215 settlement with Millmac last month.

Commissioners Clapp, Suzanne Atwell and Terry Turner voted to find a new contractor to do the job. Mayor Kelly Kirschner and Vice Mayor Fredd Atkins dissented.

Contacat Robin Roy at [email protected].