2 years after Helene, Pinellas set to weigh $10.4M contract to repair 6 coastal sites

Pinellas County Commissioners are set to vote Tuesday on a contract worth up to $10.4 million to repair six public sites damaged by Hurricane Helene more than two years ago. The county would award the work to Central Florida Contractors Inc., which submitted the lowest of six bids at about $10.4 million. The repairs are intended to return the damaged facilities to their pre-storm condition. The six projects are spread along Pinellas County’s coast, including sites in Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, Madeira Beach and Redington Shores, as well as Sand Key Park and Fort De Soto Park. County maps show much of the work involves beach access points and parking areas damaged during the September 2024 storm. The repairs are part of a recovery that has stretched on for more than two years. Helene’s storm surge hit Pinellas’ barrier islands especially hard, and Florida Politics reported in December 2024 that Fort De Soto and Sand Key were still closed months later as crews continued cleaning up damage from Helene and Hurricane Milton. Pinellas will use General Fund reserves to cover the work, but staff expects the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the state to reimburse nearly 88% of the cost. Both agencies have already found the repairs generally eligible, though the final amount will depend on further review. Central Florida Contractors’ $10.4 million bid came in about $828,000 below the next-lowest offer from Ajax Paving Industries of Florida. The other bids ranged from about $11.5 million to $16.2 million. Under the proposed agreement, the contractor would have to begin work within 15 days of receiving the county’s notice to proceed and would have 540 days to complete the repairs. The contract is on the Oct. 13 consent agenda. The post 2 years after Helene, Pinellas set to weigh $10.4M contract to repair 6 coastal sites appeared first on Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government..