The Pensacola City Council on Aug. 14 approved acceptance of a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission grant amendment that adds $197,665 to the Sanders Beach kayak and fishing-trail access upgrades project and authorized a supplemental budget appropriation. The amended grant brings the project total to $1,488,875.

Separately, the council awarded bid number 205-2024 for the Sanders Beach kayak fishing trail access upgrades to Loftus Marine LLC, the lowest responsive bidder. The base bid was $534,025.05 with a bid alternate of $439,670, producing a combined bid of $973,695.05. Council authorized a 15% contingency of $146,054.25 for a total contract award of $1,119,749.30 and authorized the mayor to execute and administer the contract.

Mayor D.C. Reeves said the project includes restroom upgrades, lighting and picnic-area work at Sanders Beach and thanked Councilman Cassel Wiggins for his partnership on the effort. Parks and Recreation staff and the city engineer were present for technical questions.

The grant amendment and the bid award passed unanimously, 6-0. The council also adopted the supplemental budget resolution to appropriate the grant funds.

The administration said the project will move forward to contracting and construction following final contract execution and standard permitting; the city authorized contingency funds to cover change orders or unforeseen conditions.