CRTPA approves consultant selection and agreement authorization for Tallahassee–Havana Trail PD&E

The Capital Region Transportation Planning Agency on June 16 approved the selection committee’s recommendation to hire a consultant to prepare the project development and environment (PD&E) study for the Leon County segment of the Tallahassee–Havana Trail and authorized staff to execute the agreement. Mr. Burke, who managed the procurement and will serve as project manager, told the board that the selection committee included representatives from Tallahassee‑Leon County planning, Leon County public works and parks and rec, and that Commissioner Minor served on the committee. The committee interviewed the top firms and recommended the highest‑ranked firm; the board approved the recommendation and authorized the CRTPA executive director to initiate an agreement and the CRTPA chair to sign it. The motion carried on a voice vote; no public comment was offered at the meeting. Greg (CRTPA executive director) and Mr. Burke reviewed prior steps: the CRTPA had previously received SunTrails funding for the Leon County segment and issued an RFSQ with city procurement to select a consultant. Staff said the awarded PD&E will focus on the Leon County portion of the trail project. Greg and other staff also described an open‑house public meeting held May 7 for the Tallahassee–Havana Trail. Staff reported that attendees overwhelmingly preferred an alternative that follows Iron Bridge Road to Ninth Avenue and through downtown Havana, and that the Gadsden County portion of the trail has design funding through the SunTrails application process. The board’s action authorizes the executive director to execute a professional services agreement for PD&E and for the chair to sign the contract document once negotiations are complete. Staff said they will proceed with contract negotiations and post selection and project information on the CRTPA project page.