64.3 F
Ocala
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Ocala company seeks $2.9 million contract with Marion County to build sidewalks near two elementary schools

Marion County may soon enter into a one-year, $2.9 million contract with an Ocala-based company to construct over 4.5 miles of new sidewalks in the vicinity of two local elementary schools.

Hartman Civil Construction will look for approval of the contract during the Marion County Board of County Commissioners regular meeting on Tuesday, September 20.

Under the proposed contract, new sidewalks would be constructed near Legacy Elementary School (8496 Juniper Road in Ocala) and Saddlewood Elementary School (3700 SW 43rd Court in Ocala).

Within close proximity of Legacy Elementary, approximately 4.22 miles of new, 5-foot-wide sidewalks would be constructed.

FDOT proposed agreement looks to build new sidewalks at several Ocala elementary schools
The proposed locations for new sidewalks in the vicinity of Legacy Elementary School

Approximately 0.46 miles of new, 5-foot-wide sidewalks would also be added within close proximity of Saddlewood Elementary.

FDOT proposed agreement looks to build new sidewalks at several Ocala elementary schools 1
The proposed location for new sidewalks in the vicinity of Saddlewood Elementary School

In addition to constructing new sidewalks, the work would also include extending and constructing side drains along with end treatments, driveway aprons, and grading swales; establishing sod; and striping sidewalks and miscellaneous pavement markings, according to county records.

The contract states that substantial completion of all work would need to be completed within 365 calendar days of the project’s start date, and final completion would need to be achieved within 410 calendar days.

Marion County Procurement Services advertised a bid for the project, and a total of two bids were received. Hartman Civil Construction was the lowest bidder at $2,973,388.

The second bid was submitted by Ocala-based Art Walker Construction in the amount of $3,870,407.

County staff is recommending approval of the contract with Hartman Civil Construction since the company was the lowest responsive bidder. The commissioners will vote on whether to approve or deny the contract during their regularly scheduled meeting on September 20.

If approved by commissioners, just over $1.7 million of the total project cost ($2,973,388) will be funded by the Florida Department of Transportation via its Local Agency Program, according to county staff.

The Marion County Board of County Commissioners meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at the McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium (601 SE 25th Avenue) unless otherwise noted.