Riviera Beach board hears timeline for new water plant, well‑field rehab; staff to propose separate utility meeting day and public dashboard

RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. — Directors of the Riviera Beach Utility Special District on April 16 received progress updates on the new water treatment plant and an ongoing well‑field rehabilitation contract and heard staff commitments on scheduling and public transparency.

Consultants told the board phase‑one planning, design and permitting work is nearing completion and that major procurement and contracting steps will follow. Nigel Grace, the city’s owner’s representative for the new water treatment plant, said the joint‑venture design team expects to submit 90% design deliverables by April 25 and to shift into guaranteed‑maximum‑price (GMP) development, with several GMP packages anticipated to be brought to the board by October.

Why it matters: the new plant and well‑field work are central to Riviera Beach’s plan to stabilize raw‑water supply and raise finished‑water reliability. Board members pressed for clearer public information and for meeting scheduling that gives the utility work adequate time for discussion.

Design and procurement timeline

Nigel Grace, the owner’s representative, said phase 1 activities "is essentially winding now," and that the JV team will “immediately pivot into GMP development,” expecting multiple GMPs to complete the scope needed for construction and procurement. Grace said the last GMP in the series is expected in October and that “by…