Subject:
Title
Second Resolution determining the necessity to construct bridge and drainage improvements to Beckett Bridge and Riverside Drive and directing the condemnation of the necessary properties and property rights required for construction.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the Second Resolution determining the necessity to construct bridge and drainage improvements to Beckett Bridge and Riverside Drive and directing the condemnation of the necessary properties and property rights required for construction.
• Second Resolution includes easements that have changed since Resolution 22-25 was approved by the Board of County Commissioners on April 12, 2022.
• Second Resolution does not replace Resolution 22-25. It includes only easements for parcels that were modified since the first resolution was adopted.
• The modifications reduce easements to resolve conflicts with a couple of existing structures and correct a tree area location.
• Resolution of Necessity will maintain the County’s eligibility for federal funding opportunities.
• Second Resolution authorizes the Board to acquire specified interests in numerous properties described in Exhibits A-G, attached to the resolution, to construct the project.
• Funding source for the land acquisition is the Infrastructure Sales Tax (Penny for Pinellas): Roads, Bridges, and Trails - Bridge Rehabilitation and Replacement.
PID 001037A Beckett Bridge replacement and PID 001037B Riverside Drive and Spring Boulevard drainage improvements; Total estimated funds to acquire necessary properties is $491,500.00; Authorize the Clerk of the Circuit Court to record the resolution in the public records of Pinellas County.
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Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.5 Enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety
Foster Continual Economic Growth and Vitality
4.4 Invest in infrastructure to meet current and future needs
4.5 Provide safe and effective transportation systems to support the efficient flow of motorists, commerce, and regional connectivity
4.6 Support a vibrant community with recreation, arts, and culture to attract residents and visitors
Summary:
Summary
The Second Resolution is for the purpose of determining necessity of right of way acquisition for the construction of bridge and drainage improvements for the Beckett Bridge, Riverside Drive and Spring Boulevard project, directing the condemnation of the necessary properties and property rights required for construction. The Second Resolution does not replace Resolution 22-25 approved by the Board on April 12, 2022. It includes easements for parcels which have been modified since the approval of the first resolution.
The associated Right of Way Needs Memorandum, included with the Resolution, informs the Board of the project purpose and chronology; evidence and presentations the Board considered in determining the project scope, design and analysis of alternatives, safety concerns, environmental concerns, costs of the project and long-range planning.
This project includes replacement of the functionally obsolete and structurally deficient Beckett Bascule Bridge over Whitcomb Bayou in Tarpon Springs, with a new bascule bridge on the same alignment of the existing bridge. In addition, the project includes improvements to stormwater drainage to the east and west along Riverside Drive and Spring Boulevard. Riverside Drive and Spring Boulevard lead to Beckett Bridge from the west and east respectively and connect to fully developed residential and commercial areas in Tarpon Springs.
Functional obsolescence and structural deterioration of the Bridge have led to the need to limit the loading of the Bridge by vehicles, resulting in school buses and other large vehicles prevented from traversing the Bridge, disrupting traffic flow, and leading to increased transportation cost and additional traffic load in other areas. The replacement of the Bridge will result in safety improvements including a better load rating for traffic, improved bridge railing, guardrails, sidewalk, transition, and end treatments to meet current safety standards, as well as improvements for pedestrian and bicycle safety.
All efforts will be pursued to obtain the properties through voluntary acquisition. However, the County Attorney will be authorized and directed to acquire necessary parcels by negotiation, or failing voluntary sale by the owners, condemnation.
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Background Information:
The Board of County Commissioners (Board) is empowered under Chapters 73, 74 and 127 of the Florida Statutes to exercise eminent domain and acquire such property and property rights as deemed necessary for the public purpose of construction and future maintenance of the project.
The Board approved the first Resolution of Necessity on April 12, 2022. Since this approval, minor modifications were required to parcels originally identified as P706 Part A, P706 Part B, P706 Part C and P706 Part D. The modifications include addressing one impacted tree area that was mislocated on the survey, and reduction of the size of easements to avoid impact to a concrete pad for an air conditioning unit and a carport for a mobile home. The Second Resolution only includes easements that have been modified since the original Resolution of Necessity was approved. The Board approved the recommended alternative to replace the existing Bridge with a new movable bridge on October 22, 2013. The Forward Pinellas 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan adopted on November 13, 2019, has identified replacement of the Bridge by 2045.
The Board has previously considered engineering analysis and workshop presentations on prior occasions, as reflected in the Right of Way Needs Memorandum, and has determined the necessity of acquiring certain properties and property rights only after considering alternative designs, safety factors, environmental considerations, costs of the project, and long-range area planning.
Fiscal Impact:
The funding source for land acquisition is the Infrastructure Sales Tax (Penny for Pinellas): Roads, Bridges & Trails - Bridge Rehabilitation & Replacement. Total estimated funds to acquire necessary properties is $491,500.00.
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
N/A
Attachments:
Resolution 22-XX including Right of Way Needs Memorandum and Exhibits A-G
Resolution 22-25 including Exhibits A-T
Permits Status Memorandum
Easement Location Map
Right of Way Map
Project Location Map