Board approves short-term landscape cleanup pilot and Five Points Park tree-lighting contract

The Downtown Improvement District board on March 3 authorized two procurement steps intended to improve downtown appearance and safety: a short-term landscape cleanup pilot and replacement/maintenance of tree lighting at Five Points Park.

Julie, staff member, described a remaining $59,092 landscape maintenance line and recommended awarding a short-term purchase order not to exceed $15,683 to Plant Source Landscaping to clean landscape beds, prune, re-mulch and deliver a replanting proposal. A board motion to authorize the purchase order passed by voice vote.

Separately, Julie presented vendor pricing for tree-light removal, strand counts and replacement costs. The vendor—Sarasota Holiday Lighting—provided a lump-sum and per-strand pricing with a three-year maintenance warranty and weekly reports. The board directed staff to start with Five Points Park and approved a $34,110 purchase order for that area so the vendor can remove, replace and maintain the lights; staff will revisit additional areas and funding at a future meeting. A director asked the vendor to include contingency language for city-infrastructure issues and the contract includes routine maintenance and a warranty.

Board members said they intend to use the Five Points Park work as a demonstration of the vendor’s quality. The landscape pilot and lighting contract were described as initial, limited steps that can be expanded if results and budget allow.

The board’s next step is for staff to return in April with proposals and funding implications for broader tree-lighting work and for any longer-term landscaping contract decisions.