Apopka City Administrator Glenn Irby surprised the City Council at their Wednesday, March 21st meeting when he announced that the lowest bid to renovate and build a community center at Alonzo Williams Park was over $400,000 above the grant amount of $750,000, which puts the project in peril if action is not taken in 2018.
Irby went on to explain that the City is trying to understand why the bids were higher than the grant, and the timeline for action to keep the project going.
"We're trying to figure out why. We still have the grant, but we need to be under construction by the end of the year or we do stand a chance of losing it at that particular point in time. We're trying to actually value-engineer it where we can get the price lower. If that fails, then we can do a couple of things depending on what the Council wants to do. One of the things we could do is let it go, which I don't think the Council wants to do, the second would be at the budget session to try and come up with the additional $400,000-plus, and the third would be to take it from reserves."
After the new City Council is sworn in on April 24th, it will be up to them to deal with the Alonzo Williams Park issue, and they are unanimous in their support to keep the project moving forward.
Commissioner Diane Velazquez, the incumbent candidate in the Seat #2 runoff, is calling for patience in the process and letting the City staff continue the process.
"I have read the discussions on social media regarding the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) renovation of Alonzo Williams Park. From the very beginning, we knew we had to be precise and consistent during the application process. Initially, we did not make the first cut. Shortly thereafter, however, Governor Rick Scott caused some rules to change with the Department of Economic Opportunity that helped Apopka in the second round for consideration. In March of 2017, a seasoned professional Grant Writer was brought in to assist in the application process (the cost for the grant writer would be paid out of the grant). A bid specification packet was used to solicit bids. Three bids were received, each bid was $400,000 over the $750,000 grant. Staff recommended all the bids be rejected. This was to allow staff to revisit the grant and find out the reason behind the cost differences.
It is my understanding when applying for government grants, the process can sometimes be tedious and a long process. With persistence and perseverance, it eventually can become a reality. We are not quite there yet because the bids received were rejected. The city staff is diligently working and reviewing the line expenses of this project.
We would all like to see this project move ahead and start construction. The delays, not of the city’s doing, has pushed this project further from the target date to start building... I feel confident with the review by staff and re-advertising of the RFP (Request for Proposal), this project to rebuild Alonzo Williams Park will move forward. The incoming Mayor Elect Bryan Nelson will be charged with overseeing the success of this project."
Apopka City Commission Seat #2 candidate Alice Nolan
Alice Nolan, also a candidate in the City Commission Seat #2 runoff, is also in support of the project. In fact, she calls it a priority. But Nolan wants to see the state of the 2018-19 fiscal budget before making a definitive plan.
"I would like to see Alonzo Williams Park become a place that all can play and enjoy. At the moment it is worn down and not up to the standards that the citizens deserve. I would like to keep the grant for Alonzo Williams Park.
I would first want to get a clear picture of the budget, but I can foresee the overage being included into the 2018-19 fiscal budget, or being a part of the CRA budget, or possibly accepting donations from community partners. This is a very important project for me and it will be a priority. Every part of Apopka deserves a beautiful and safe park for their families to enjoy and play at."
Commissioner-Elect Alexander Smith will take over for six-term Commissioner Billie Dean on the City Commission (Seat #1). Dean actually followed Alonzo Williams on the City Commission. This project was a passion for him and Smith shares that passion for Alonzo Williams Park.
Seat #1 Commissioner-Elect Alexander Smith
"This is a concern of mine but I don't have an approach set in stone at this time. I have to do some more research, and study the budget more and look at options. I'm waiting to be briefed by staff as the incoming Commissioner. Therefore, I don't want to speak out of turn without all of the facts. But there is one thing for sure; returning the grant and not completing the Alonzo Williams Park renovation is not an option."
Commissioner Doug Bankson does not want to see the $750,000 grant sent back, especially since the City has already invested taxpayer money in this project. Bankson agrees this should be a priority for the next City Council.
"I believe we need to do what we can to save the Alonzo Williams community center project. It is an important piece of infrastructure for the park and for recreation programs, and after investing over $100,000 in the project it would be a waste to lose the $750,000 grant. We need to work on getting bids in order with the funding to keep the project alive and make sure our investment in Apopka is evenly based north to south. It should be a priority as we seek funding."
Commissioner Kyle Becker also agrees in a balance within the Apopka Parks and Recreation system. He is calling for an aggressive pace to guarantee the City does not lose the grant.
"Alonzo Williams Park needs to be treated and invested in just like we would the Northwest Recreation Facility, Kit Land Nelson, and every other park and recreation asset we have in our city, doing all we can to make them the best they can be and maintain them to that level. In recent months I have heard so many personal connections to Alonzo Williams Park, and it is definitely time to renew its glory for our residents.
I think there has been some confusion that since the first round of bids were rejected, Council has rejected the idea of proceeding, which is not where I stand. City staff worked hard to secure the $750,000 grant for a new community center at the park, which equates to roughly $136 a square foot in construction cost, where new construction for a building like this should run between $100-$150 a square foot on average. The initial bids received charge over $200 a square foot, and we need to understand why that is the case and determine if the RFP needs to be revised. Since we all have been informed the grant funds have a limited shelf life to use or lose, I fully support an aggressive discussion to allocate funds for this project to supplement our grant."
In November of 2016, the City announced winning the grant and at that time believed construction would begin in 2017.
The 5,500 square foot center is proposed to be twice as large as the current building.
Once a bid is accepted, the long-awaited project will demolish the existing structure at Alonzo Williams Park, 515 South Hawthorne Avenue, and construct a new community center in its place. The new building will be twice the size of the existing facility with more than 5,500 square feet and feature a large meeting area, offices, activity rooms and a covered entry with a vehicle driveway. It will also include paved parking along M.A. Board Street and future parking adjacent to the facility.
Alonzo Williams Park is a three-acre facility with multi-purpose fields, outdoor basketball courts, a softball field and a playground.
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