Town staff says design talks nearly complete for Newton Beach Park; CDBG‑DR rules and HUD approvals slow progress

Town staff told an advisory board meeting that negotiations are under way to hire a design firm for Newton Beach Park and that the project will move forward only after town, county and HUD approvals required by the CDBG‑DR grant process.

At the April meeting, a staff member involved in project management said the town is negotiating with J.R. Evans and emphasized the strict recordkeeping, procurement and communication rules tied to the CDBG‑DR funds passed through Lee County from HUD. "Everything has to be recorded ... we can't just email or call them on a whim," the staff member said, adding that the town manager is leading contract talks.

Why it matters: The park project carries multi‑million‑dollar federal recovery funds and board members said delays on design and contracting are constraining parking and other visitor services the town needs now.

Staff described an extended schedule driven by procurement requirements and outside approvals. The staff member said prior procurement rounds required re‑bidding to meet CDBG‑DR procurement rules, which delayed the project by several months; he estimated roughly eight to nine months for design once a firm is under contract and about another year for construction. He also said the town has "money secured for Newton Beach Park" and estimated the package at "almost it's like three and a half million, I think." The advisory board was told the grant agreement timeline discussed included a May 31, 2028 completion target.

Board members repeatedly requested to see design plans; staff replied there are only conceptual plans available because a design contract has not been executed. "We don't have plans because we don't have the design company under contract," the staff member said, and added that engineering requirements for coastal and water‑retention work mean concept drawings will likely change.

Board members raised concerns about parking capacity, zoning and signage. One member described the park as "a money machine that's sitting there" and pressed for ways to open more parking; staff said parking revenues do not flow directly to the moundhouse and that the parking entity (and outstanding bridge‑loan obligations) determine how excess receipts are used. Staff agreed to explore improved signage facing Estero Boulevard to better inform visitors about public parking and restrooms.

Advisory role and next steps: Staff reiterated that the advisory board can vote to make recommendations but cannot approve contracts or construction; any recommendation would be forwarded to town council for a formal decision and then to Lee County and HUD for CDBG‑DR compliance. The town manager will continue contract negotiations with the design firm, and staff said they are holding weekly grant meetings with the county. Once a design contract is executed, staff estimated an 8–9 month design period followed by roughly a year of construction, subject to county and HUD approvals.

Provenance: The board discussion of Newton Beach Park began with staff project remarks and Q&A about contracting and design (timeline: meeting segments on design negotiations and CDBG‑DR requirements) and concluded with questions about parking and access. The advisory board did not take a final formal vote on a contract during the meeting.

What comes next: The town manager's negotiations with the design firm continue; the advisory board may make a formal recommendation to council once the design contract and plans are available and the council has had an opportunity to review the blue‑sheet submission.