The Port Richey Community Redevelopment Agency on Nov. 25 approved engaging a design consultant to develop landscaping plans for medians along U.S. 19, using up to 10% of a $450,000 grant awarded by the Florida Department of Transportation.

City Manager Andrew Butterfield told the board the grant allows the city to spend roughly $45,000 on design work and that the city engaged Kimley‑Horn to provide the design. “We engaged Kimley‑Horn for design,” Butterfield said, noting staff weighed bids and selected the consultant based on experience and cost.

The decision followed board questions about cost, scope and maintenance. An unidentified board member asked whether the city would have input to avoid high‑maintenance plantings; Butterfield and staff said the city will direct the designer to prioritize medians and roadside edges, favor low‑water and low‑maintenance materials and hold workshops with the designer, staff and board members before finalizing plans.

Public comment emphasized safety and low maintenance. Devin Aaron of Bay Boulevard urged the board to choose plantings that preserve sightlines at driveways and recommended foxtail palms over cabbage palms, which he said can obstruct vision and require frequent upkeep. “Something that doesn’t obstruct the view so you can actually see what’s going on,” Aaron said.

Staff explained that four proposals were evaluated by a small committee and that Kimley‑Horn’s $45,000 proposal fit within the 10% design allowance. Staff also said another firm, Florida Design Consultants, bid roughly $37,000 while two other firms submitted proposals in the $79,000 and $100,000+ range. Butterfield emphasized the work is reimbursable under the grant and that the city will recoup design costs per the grant terms.

The board approved the engagement after staff confirmed the procurement process and described next steps: design workshops open to the public, return presentation of draft designs for board review and inclusion of a one‑year plant replacement provision in construction agreements so failed plantings are replaced during the first year.

The motion to proceed carried by voice vote. The board also asked staff to present bid documents or a summary of evaluation scoring in future procurement packages to increase transparency.

What’s next: staff will schedule the public workshop and bring draft designs back to the CRA board for review before any construction contract is awarded.