Hollywood CRA approves $26.5M amendment and seeks up to $28M state grant for A1A resiliency and streetscape work

The Hollywood Community Redevelopment Agency on July 3 authorized staff to pursue a state environmental protection grant of up to $28 million for resiliency and flood‑management work along the A1A corridor and unanimously approved a $26.5 million amendment to the Burkhart construction contract to advance Phase 4 of the city’s streetscape and undergrounding program.

Sarita Schama, senior project manager for the CRA, told the board the second amendment covers work south of Hollywood Boulevard and brings the Phase 4 component to $76.1 million in the CRA’s approved capital improvement plan. “We have an allowance for police camera infrastructure and the undergrounding and landscape components that complete the vision of the 1997 CRA redevelopment plan,” Schama said during the presentation.

Consultant Eric Regatta of Kimley‑Horn described key elements: undergrounding of franchise utilities, widened medians that add roughly 22% more pervious area to the corridor, pavement rehabilitation, ADA curb ramp upgrades and “turtle‑friendly” amber LED street lighting. “The utility undergrounding component of the project is the heaviest and most beneficial element,” Regatta said. A lighting representative summarized a Florida Fish and Wildlife condition that required amber fixtures to reduce disturbance to sea turtles.

The board also heard from FDOT representatives and members who urged attention to pedestrian crossings and continuity of sidewalks and medians. Citizen Bob Glickman and other public commenters asked that the Central Beach segment be made to match the appearance and pedestrian access of the northern corridor and requested more hybrid pedestrian crossings where appropriate.

Members pressed staff for financial detail. Commissioners asked for a breakdown of how a $17.7 million guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for the A1A construction is allocated and for clarification about the FDOT Triple R reimbursement, which staff said is expected to be about $3.4 million. Schama committed to sharing a more detailed line‑item breakdown with the board.

The meeting also flagged dependencies: seawall condition and private owner willingness to participate in a matching grant program, and a series of pumps and backflow valves that must operate in tandem with the corridor improvements to address sunny‑day flooding. Commissioner Shuham urged that a seawall incentive program be ready in coordination with the pump and outfall work. Staff said public seawalls will be restored where required and that they are exploring grant options to stimulate private seawall rehabilitation.

The resolution authorizing pursuit of the state grant and the Burkhart amendment both passed unanimously; staff said they will return with a more detailed cost breakdown and an update on pump/outfall and seawall coordination at the September meeting.