Zephyr Park Project Update
By JOE POTTER
The Zephyrhills City Council selected Reeves Young LLC as the firm that City staff would negotiate regarding a possible contract for the Atlanta-based firm to oversee the Zephyr Park Rehabilitation and Improvement project.
The decision to award Reeves Young Request for Quotes (RFQ) for the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) was made during a special meeting held on Nov. 17.
Although she didn’t have a vote on the matter, Mayor Melonie Bahr Monson expressed her opinion regarding the City Council’s choice. “This is our biggest project that we have going on at parks. It’s going to max out at $20 million by the time we’re done. This is not something to take very lightly,” Monson said.
She also said she didn’t think enough questions were asked before Reeves Young was awarded the RFQ for the Zephyr Park project. And she added she thought money would be going out of state for local projects if Reeves Young does reach a contract with the City.
City Council would need to make a decision on whether to approve a contract if it is successfully negotiated between the City and Reeves Young. If Reeves Young were the contractor, then it would go out for competitive bids amongst pre-qualified subcontractors. Reeves Young would then meet with city officials and open the bids together.
Two of the Council members said before the vote was taken that they would select Reeves Young because of the overwhelming score that city staff had given that company.
Councilman Steve Spina asked before the vote was taken if negotiations could begin with another firm if “a workable, agreeable, financial picture” couldn’t be reached with Reeves Young. “Then we go to the next one?” Spina asked. It was confirmed that would be the case and then the decision to select Reeves Young passed 4-0.
Zephyr Park is a 50-acre community landmark envisioned to become a premier recreational destination for residents and visitors. The scope of the rehabilitation and redevelopment of Zephyr Park would include new restrooms, a splash pad, trails, pavilions, playgrounds, landscaping, and related infrastructure improvements designed to modernize and expand the park’s amenities according to City records.
In other business, Council members approved:
Purchasing property at 7251 16th Street in Alpha Village for $183,800 so a pond could be constructed thus creating additional stormwater capacity. This was done because of flooding that occurred in Alpha Village during Hurricane Milton. The funds would come out of Penny for Pasco contingency funds.
And the purchase of three vehicles for the Water Division of the Utilities Department.
