The CRB/CRA/CC approved funding in the amount of $405,000 for the Riverwalk Deck Replacement Project in the CRA Budget in FY 2019. The project limit is from Riverwalk Stage to NW Dixie Highway (see attached deck replacement map).
The decking and side rail material for the Downtown Riverwalk was last replaced after the 2004 hurricanes. Over the last 15 years this material has been exposed to the outdoor elements and has deteriorated to the point where there is extensive checking (cracking), splintering, and rotting. Therefore, the City is proposing to remove and replace the existing decking and side rail material from the festival deck to NW Dixie Hwy. The invitation to bid included two different materials for replacement. The base bid proposed replacement with pressure treated wood, which is the same material located west of the festival deck and the bid alternate proposed replacement with IPE wood, which is the same material located east of the festival deck. The City received bids from 10 contractors. The base bids (pressure treated wood) ranged from $236,382.00 to $490,547.40 and the bid alternatives (IPE wood) ranged from $523,060.00 to $877,097.00. See attached bid tabulation.
The City’s preference would be to replace the existing decking and side rail with IPE wood. IPE wood is resistant to mildew, insect damage, and fire (Class A fire rating – same class as steel and concrete). IPE wood is 2.5 times more expensive than pressure treated wood; however, it can last up to 5 times longer than pressure treated wood. In addition, the dense surface of IPE wood requires little to no maintenance. The IPE portion of the Riverwalk (east of the festival deck) was installed in 2015 and the City has not had to repair or replace any IPE material. Pressure treated wood requires a lot of maintenance in order to keep it from splintering, checking (cracking), and rotting. The average cost per year for the City to maintain the pressure treated portion of the Riverwalk (west of the festival deck) is approximately $24,000. In addition, in 2015 it cost the City $15,000 to have a contractor pressure wash and stain the pressure treated portion of the Riverwalk. Based on low maintenance and durability, the preferred IPE wood will have significant cost savings over time.
Community Redevelopment Board:
On June 4, 2019, the Community Redevelopment Board recommended approval to allocate additional funding to install IPE wood.
Attachments:
- Resolution No. 06-2019 CRA Budget Amendment
- Location Map
- Bid Tabulation
- Pressure Treated vs. IPE Wood Comparison
- Additional photos of IPE Wood (east of festival deck)
- Additional photos of Pressure Treated Wood (west of festival deck)