The Town of Fort Myers Beach selection advisory committee on Aug. 15 announced rankings of five firms that responded to a request for qualifications for the Newton Park facility reconstruction project, which the town said was destroyed during Hurricane Ian and will be rebuilt using HUD Community Development Block Grant — Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds.

The committee said it received five complete responses to RFQ 20 511A d, which the committee reported was issued and opened July 31, 2025. "I'd like to welcome you to the selection committee ranking for Newton Park facility reconstruction project. It's RFQ 20 511A d," said Jeff Hauge, community services director for the Town of Fort Myers Beach.

The ranking announced placed JR Evans Engineering first, Kimberly Horn Associates second and Chen Moore and Associates third; Bert Hill Architects and Plus followed. The committee said it will hold public meetings to interview the top three firms to confirm responsiveness and qualifications and then begin contract negotiations with the top-ranked firm. If negotiations with the top firm do not reach agreement, the town said it will move to the next most qualified firm.

JR Evans Engineering was listed with a total of 263 points, described in the meeting as "90 from Tracy, 90 from Frankie, 83 from Jeff." Kimberly Horn Associates totaled 256 points, listed as "89 from Tracy, 89 from Frankie, and 78 from Jeff." Chen Moore and Associates was listed with a total of 239 points; individual reviewer scores for Chen Moore were recorded in the meeting record but one reviewer entry was transcribed unclearly. Bert Hill Architects totaled 219 points and Plus totaled 215 points, as reported by the committee.

The RFQ covers engineering design, permitting and construction services for the Newton Park facility reconstruction. The meeting did not award a contract; the announced rankings start the next steps of public interviews and negotiations. No formal vote or contract award was recorded at the Aug. 15 meeting.

Speakers who spoke during the session included Deb Glavin, procurement and contract specialist for the town; Frank, community development planning director for the Town of Fort Myers Beach; Tracy Kohler, deputy town manager; and Jeff Hauge, community services director. The committee did not record public comment on the item during the meeting excerpt provided.

The use of HUD CDBG-DR funds means the project will proceed under the conditions and requirements attached to those disaster-recovery grant funds, the committee said; the meeting did not specify a total budget amount or a contract timeline. The town will notify the three top-ranked firms of public meeting dates to complete interviews and will then begin contract negotiations.