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Committee selects Bridal Arbor to renovate Tuscarora entrance, approves programmable lighting and maintenance plan
Summary
After staff reviewed three bids for the Tuscarora entrance renovation, the committee voted to award the project to Bridal Arbor. The selection followed detailed discussion of plant palettes, a 32-light programmable FX Luminaire system and a one-year service plan included in the winning bid.
The Winter Springs committee voted to award the Tuscarora entrance renovation contract to Bridal Arbor, approving the company's proposal after discussion of plant choices, lighting, warranty and site work.
Staff presented three bids for the project: Baker Commercial Landscaping ($44,819.75), Bright Arbor (approximately $43,001.17) and Nature's Care (approximately $42,036.00). Committee members noted that Baker's submission did not include a required landscape schematic or the lighting information specified in the scope, while the other two bidders supplied renderings and plant lists. A motion to accept Bridal Arbor's bid carried on a roll call vote.
Why it matters: The project was the committee's top-priority project for the coming fiscal year and combines landscaping upgrades with programmable illumination at a key Winter Springs entrance. Committee members emphasized native plantings, year-round color and a lighting design that can support seasonal themes and community events.
Bridal Arbor's representative, Andrew Porqueira, told the committee the proposal met the committee's 50 percent native-plant goal and uses plants listed as Florida-friendly. He noted the firm chose a high-end, app-controlled lighting system (FX Luminaire) and framed it as a longer-lived investment: "They're a little bit pricier, but, as per as you could see in our warranties as well, they're extensive." The firm offered quarterly service visits for the first year as part of the package.
City landscape manager Kevin Maddox confirmed staff had reviewed feasibility of installing wiring under existing pavers and said the design calls for transformers placed out of sight and a satellite transformer to relay controls, allowing the system to function as a single, cohesive unit. Bridal Arbor described a 32-light layout with path lights to highlight median edges and programmable color and intensity for single-site or multi-site control.
Committee members raised routine maintenance and grading questions. Bridal Arbor said they will remove accumulated topsoil/mulch where needed, reestablish topsoil and include reasonable site prep and grading in their labor costs; any unusually extensive regrading would be quoted separately. On controls, Bridal Arbor said the system uses Bluetooth connectivity and can be programmed from the transformer or an app, and the company will provide training and hand over credentials to city staff.
The committee directed staff to coordinate next steps with the selected vendor, including finalizing contract details and timelines. Staff said they will circulate design plans and the contract award paperwork and that project work is expected to move forward this year.
Votes and next steps: The motion to award the contract to Bridal Arbor passed on a roll call; committee members congratulated the vendor and asked staff to proceed with contract coordination. The committee scheduled follow-up procurement and design reviews for the coming months.
