Council awards $857,862 contract for Stone Magnet Middle Safe Routes sidewalks

The Melbourne City Council on April 22 approved a federally funded Safe Routes to School sidewalk construction contract for the area around Stone Magnet Middle School and authorized city staff to proceed with the project.

Engineering staff said the project will build about 6,500 linear feet of new 6-foot concrete sidewalk on Lipscomb Street, Monroe Street and University Boulevard, add new crosswalks and install three rapid rectangular flashing beacons to improve pedestrian safety near the school. The council awarded the construction contract to WT Comp Inc. of Casselberry for $857,861.69, the low responsive bid from two bidders, staff said.

City engineering staff told the council the project is funded primarily through a Safe Routes to School federal grant administered by the Florida Department of Transportation. Staff said the council previously authorized related local agreements and that the city will be responsible for certain non-federal costs, including post-design services and contingencies. The staff presentation said the city’s total out‑of‑pocket commitment for the project is about $138,638, which includes non‑eligible federal costs, contingencies and previously approved CEI (construction engineering and inspection) funding.

The project also includes an 8-by-18-foot concrete bus pad on Lipscomb Street; the pad will be installed now and a bench and shelter added later in coordination with Space Coast Area Transit, staff said. The presentation said the project bid came in about 16% under the engineer’s estimate and that staff will return later with a supplemental agreement to adjust the federal allocation downward to match the lower bid.

During discussion, council members asked about schedule and public notification. Engineering staff said the city expects to issue a notice to proceed within three to four weeks, subject to contract bonds and paperwork, and described planned public information steps: posting materials to the city website, advance VMS signs and coordination with the city PIO. Staff said traffic impacts are expected to be limited because the work is primarily sidewalks, but acknowledged construction will be visible in the neighborhood.

Councilor Jenny Lam noted an additional rapid flashing beacon near Macedonia Church that is included in the final exhibit; staff confirmed the third beacon remains part of the project. Vice Mayor David Newman moved the contract award; Council member Bassett seconded. The motion passed by voice vote.

The city engineer’s presentation identified the project as City Project No. 85422 and listed the construction amount as $857,861.69 and the project design/CEI and contingency items in the budget. Staff said outreach materials and the project map would be added to the city website once the site migration is complete and provided to council members for distribution.

Construction start: staff estimate — notice to proceed within 3–4 weeks; exact start date not yet set. Funding: $1,023,610 in federal SRTS funds authorized earlier by council; lower bid will trigger a future supplemental agreement to reduce the federal allocation. Outcome: contract awarded to WT Comp Inc., construction to follow.

Provenance: Council discussion and staff presentation appear in the April 22 meeting transcript beginning at the item introduction and continuing through the vote.