City says Lower Peninsula stormwater project near completion; $20 million in bond proceeds remain unused
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Summary
Staff told council the nearly finished Lower Peninsula stormwater and park project cost about $59 million with large grant support and is expected to close under budget; councilors pressed staff on why roughly $20.9 million in bond proceeds remain available and how the funds will be used.
City staff reported that the Lower Peninsula stormwater capital improvement project is in final closeout and has delivered new conveyance, pipe upsizes, a stormwater pond and park improvements — work staff said will reduce flooding and improve water quality for the neighborhood.
The project’s budget, schedule and funding mix drew praise and questions: staff described a roughly $59 million total program cost, a $55 million guaranteed‑maximum price for construction, and what they said was approximately $37.5 million in state and regional grant awards. Staff said design and construction proceeded through the pandemic with limited schedule slip and that the project is expected to be delivered under budget.
Why it matters: the project replaced aging infrastructure in a flood‑prone watershed and reopened a renovated park. Council members used the presentation to press staff for a clearer accounting of available bond proceeds, contingency use and future funding priorities.
What staff reported A stormwater/mobility staff member summarized major deliverables as stormwater conveyance upgrades, a detention/pond feature at MacDill 48 Park, water‑main upgrades, and repaved roads in the project area. The presentation listed a $3.5 million preconstruction/design allowance and noted that a single change order and contingency draws brought the total program near $59 million.
The presenter said the project had substantial grant support, and that two‑thirds of the funding came from state and regional agencies. The staff member said, “we anticipate this project will be delivered under budget.”
Questions about unused bond proceeds and contingency Council members pressed staff on contingency sizing and on why about $20.9 million in bond proceeds tied to the project remain unused. Albert Callaway of Contract Administration said typical contingencies on city projects range from 5–8 percent and that the Lower Peninsula contract had a 5 percent contingency. Dennis Rejero, the city chief financial officer, said the city expected to bring the unused bond proceeds forward as a funding source for the larger South Howard project and said staff delayed reallocation until closeout to avoid double‑counting or late‑emerging needs: “We anticipate bringing it to council as part of the larger South Howard project as a funding source for that.”
Council feedback and next steps Councilwoman Hertek asked for a regular practice of post‑completion accounting on major capital projects so council could see final balances and potential reuses. Presenters said the project team will prepare a formal closeout and apply lessons learned to future CIP delivery. Staff also identified a potential use for remaining funds — state‑required five‑year wetland monitoring — and said any formal reallocation would return to council for approval.
Provenance: presentation began when the mobility/stormwater team briefed council on the Lower Peninsula project and continued through council questions about contingency and bond proceeds.
