Some of the $15.9 million earmarked for former plans to build a new Punta Gorda City Hall building will most likely be reallocated to other capital improvement projects, such as health and public safety.
Punta Gorda Finance Director Kristin Simeone provided an update March 5 for bridge, street and sidewalk repairs and improvements, police and fire department structures, drainage and plans to address flooding in the downtown area.
At the start of the presentation, council member Greg Julian said that before “funds are scooped up from the Taj Mahal project,” referring to the previous Council’s plans for a new City Hall, he supported funds being redirected to health and safety projects.
At prior meetings, Council agreed to solicit bids to repair the historic City Hall building and start repairing the annex building built in 1978 and complete Americans with Disabilities Act changes that are currently underway.
Council member Janis Denton said the repair work would cost a “minor” portion of building a new, multistory annex addition as proposed by the former Council. In today’s market, the former plan would cost some $20 million, she said.
The city’s growth has led to police and fire department personnel outgrowing the building they share at 1410 Tamiami Trail. That building will be expanded and renovated for the fire department’s use. The current budget is $6.95 million and funded by the sales tax and Public Safety Input funds.
The budget will probably increase, as the city is looking for property to build a new police station.
An engineering study is in the procurement evaluation stage for phase three of the Downtown Flooding Improvement project. It is budgeted for $1.5 million from the General and Special Use funds, but more may be needed, Simeone said.
This year the ongoing swale regrading program will regrade approximately 38 properties at a cost of $300,000 that comes from the General Fund.
The annual Storm Sewer Reconstruction Project this year is targeting three locations for pipe repairs budgeted for $415,000 from the General Fund.
Pedestrian safety has been an ongoing issue in the city, and several projects addressing sidewalk crossings and signalization are in different stages of development.
The area of Henry Street, where pedestrians cross to get to and from Fishermen’s Village, History Park and other locations, is budgeted for $539,000 from the sales tax. Crosswalks, pedestrian signalization and the removal of pedestrian refuge islands, which pedestrians currently use before crossing to the other side of the street, are part of the project’s plans.
The city also budgeted $462,000 for additional sidewalks and repairs throughout the city.
Many of the CIP projects, such as City Hall and Bayfront Center, are due to damages from hurricanes Ian, Helene and Milton.
The Laishley fishing pier’s decking, pilings and sidewalk need to be repaired. Budgeted at $1.07 million from the Special Use funds, the city is submitting additional damage assessments to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for a 75% reimbursement.
As of March 5, a boat was still tipped on its side and leaning on the pier.
Other projects in the city’s CIP include dredging the basin and channel at the Punta Gorda Boat Club area, drainage improvements in the Corto Andra and Boca Grande area, improvements to Nature Park and the Laishley Park playground and interactive fountain.
The city will make numerous improvements and additions to the Henry Street property housing the Hounds on Henry dog park and the site where the new Peace River Wildlife Center will be constructed.
Planned are restroom facilities, parking, pathways and landscape.
The project is budgeted at $3.2 million from sales tax and impact fee funds, of which $1.2 million is unfunded.
