Palafox streetscape on track for late May; CRA reauthorizes $25,000 for pier fountain and reallocates $95,000 to Alconies streetscape

City staff told the Community Redevelopment Agency that the Palafox streetscape project — started Jan. 5 — is moving rapidly through demolition, waterline and stormwater installation, and paver/hardscape phases and is still on track to meet an incentivized completion date in late May. Administrator Victoria and project lead Adrianne reviewed progress photos, landscaping plans and business-outreach efforts designed to keep downtown merchants informed while work continues.

Adrianne said the demolition and ECUA water-line phases are complete or nearly complete in many blocks, crews are installing pavers and ADA ramps, and the project team is trimming pavers for finish work. She also noted a small number of colonial-era artifacts were recorded by the University of West Florida Archaeology Institute and that staff will consider exhibit opportunities for the limited finds.

Separately the board considered and approved an encumbrance of $25,000 (of a previously allocated $120,000) to resurface and repair the Palafox Pier fountain after a marina manager offered to raise the pump above ground as part of a partnership. The board voted to reallocate the remaining $95,000 from the fountain project to fund design and construction steps for the South Alconies streetscape (Garden Street to Bayfront Parkway), including a crosswalk at IHMC; that reallocation passed on a 6–0 vote.

Staff said the $25,000 reserve is intended to cover resurfacing, tile repair and contingencies once the pump is exposed, and that the Alconies funds will support design work and move the corridor toward construction. Both measures were presented as budget reallocations and not as new program authorizations; each item will be processed for council reappropriation consistent with CRA procedures.