The Administration recommends approval of the resolution.

Española Way was created in 1925 as an artist’s colony envisioned by Newton B.T. Roney, to duplicate a miniature Spanish Village. In March of 1986, the City of Miami Beach designated the entire length of Española Way, from Collins Avenue to Jefferson Avenue, as its first Historic Preservation District.

On July 23, 2014, the Mayor and City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2014-28664 approving and authorizing the permanent closure of the 400 Block of Española Way between Washington Avenue and Drexel Avenue to vehicular traffic.

After closure of the 400 Block, City Administration decided to improve the area and convert it to a pedestrian mall feature. The proposed conversion will eliminate the existing sidewalks and curbs and will convert the existing asphalt street to a paver walkway from wall to wall of buildings on the property, providing ADA accessibility throughout. The project will also include the replacement of an existing watermain and water service lines, lining of the existing sanitary sewer system, replacement of the drainage system, connection of all existing roof drains to the drainage system, replacement of the existing lighting, modification of the traffic signal at Washington Avenue and landscape and irrigation enhancements. These improvements will provide a safer and more dynamic pedestrian boulevard for residents and visitors.

On February 29, 2016, the City retained WADE TRIM, Inc. (Consultant), to provide design services, permitting and cost estimating and on April 12, 2016, the Historic Preservation Board (HPB) approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for Española Way.

During the design phase, it was identified that in order to preserve the historic intent of a miniature Spanish village, the scope required implementation of special hardscape materials, not contemplated in the original scope (granite paver stones, etc.). In addition, the use of root barriers and Silva Cells are being required by the HPB. The Silva Cell is an engineered rooting system that encourages proper root growth within paved areas. These additions were not considered in the original construction cost estimate. On May 5, 2016 the consultant submitted its 100% submittal cost estimate in the amount of $1,398,544. However, the estimate does not take into account the accelerated schedule and complex logistics of the construction sequencing that will reduce the impact to the businesses.

In the interest of time and to minimize high impact to the businesses along the project, construction must occur during the off-peak season, Summer/Fall. The City has elected to expedite this project and utilize the Indefinite Quantity Contract (IQC) process. The IQC process, which is used extensively by local, state and federal governmental agencies throughout the United States, expedites the delivery of construction projects. The City, as a governmental agency member, is authorized to utilize the IQC contract for construction services competitively awarded by the National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA) to the Gordian Group, the Managers of IQC.

Through the NJPA process, Metro Express, Inc. was identified as the contractor that has the qualifications and experience in performing the identified scope. On April 25, 2016, the City and the Gordian Group met with the contractor to review the scope of the project. On May 25, 2016, after negotiations, the Contractor submitted a revised bid proposal, utilizing the NJPA cooperative contract system (Exhibit A) in the amount of $1,691,134.67.

The IQC proposal received exceeds the $250,000 threshold limit approved by the City Commission for projects through the NJPA IQC contract award. Accordingly, approval is required from the City Commission in order to move forward and complete the project. The total contract amount to be approved is $1,691,134.67, plus 10 percent owner’s contingency in the amount of $169,113.47, for a total of $1,860,248.14.

The cost proposal was reviewed and analyzed by the consultant, CIP and the Gordian Group and was found to be fair and reasonable considering the accelerated schedule and complex logistics of construction.

On July 6, 2016, the Finance and Citywide Projects Committee unanimously voted in favor to advance, to this fiscal year, the funding needed to complete this project and requested to submit a capital budget amendment on July 20, 2016 Commission Meeting for approval.

The Administration recommends approval of the resolution.