Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Pier Reconstruction topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
State contractor to salvage Safety Harbor pier; reconstruction plan shifts while city seeks outside funds
Summary
The state has assigned a contractor to salvage and demolish the damaged Safety Harbor pier; city staff said the state contractor work will limit local demolition costs and the city is pursuing state appropriations and other funding for reconstruction, which city staff estimate will take 12–18 months once construction begins.
The state has assigned a contractor to perform salvage and demolition of the storm‑damaged Safety Harbor pier, city staff told the commission on Jan. 21, and the city is pursuing state appropriations to support reconstruction after salvage is complete.
City staff reported they received notification that AshBritt (state‑assigned) will perform initial waterborne debris removal and demolition work. Public Works Director Renee Cooper said AshBritt had surveyed the site during a low‑tide window and planned staged crews: a first crew to remove waterborne debris and trim hanging material from pilings, followed by specialized crews to remove pilings and larger structures.
“We got notification today that the state will be assigned the salvage and demo of the pier to a third‑party contractor called AshBritt,” the city manager said. The commission was told the state contractor’s work would be provided without charge to the city, subject to an agreement to let the state seek reimbursement through its channels; previously the commission approved an MOU allowing state assistance in return for the state pursuing reimbursement rather than the city filing for FEMA reimbursement.
City staff reiterated the commission’s 2022 pier design approval remains the baseline: previously adopted engineering plans must be edited to reflect the salvage contractor’s detailed scope before the city can go back to bid for reconstruction. Staff estimated the reconstruction phase, once contracted, would take about 12–18 months.
City lobbyist Shoemaker & Associates notified staff the city’s appropriation request for reconstruction funds has sponsor support in the Legislature; staff said Senator Hooper and Representative Anderson had sponsored the request for the 2025 legislative cycle.
City staff and several commissioners framed a trade‑off: using the state‑provided salvage and pursuing state appropriations could reduce the city’s reconstruction bill but may extend the total timeline; contracting directly could be faster but cost the city materially more. Staff told the commission earlier vendor quotes for full demolition were as high as $4 million, which staff said was beyond the city’s budget.
Public commenters reiterated support for rebuilding the pier “as the community knew it” and urged the commission to balance speed with design preferences. The commission did not approve construction contracts at the meeting; instead, staff said they would update bid documents once AshBritt’s salvage scope is received and continue to seek external funds for reconstruction.
Ending: Staff will keep the commission informed about the salvage schedule and return with edited bid documents and a funding plan once salvage scope and legislative appropriations clarity are available.
