On November 2, 2004, a bond referendum was passed by the voters of Palm Beach County (the “County), Florida, for the issuance of general obligation bonds in the principal amount of $50 million for the purpose of financing the acquisition, construction, and/or improvements of waterfront access in the County through the issuance of the $50 million Waterfront Access Bond.
The City applied to the County for funding under $50 million Waterfront Access Bond to construct additional docks, boat slips and upgrade restrooms and laundry facilities; to install new fuel tanks; and to upgrade and expand the parking area at the Riviera Beach Marina. In 2007, the City and the County entered into an Interlocal Agreement providing the City with $5 million in funding for the Marina expansion project.
Phase I of the Marina expansion project began in earnest during FY 2008 and was completed during FY 2014. The Phase I improvements consisted of bulkhead replacement, community and water taxi docks, replacement piers A, A2, B, C, D and D1, a promenade dock and a fueling station. The total number of slips post construction was 111. Total cost of Phase I was approximately $17 million with $16.2 million in funding being provided by the County, various grants from FIND, BIGP and FBIP and a $1 million contribution from the Riviera Beach CRA.
Beginning in 2018, the City began implementing the next phase of the expansion project. The Riviera Beach Marina project includes the widening, strengthening of the southern-most existing fixed concrete Dock F, expanding, and installing concrete wave attenuating dock. Additionally, Floating Dock G, Phase II will be provided approximately 300 feet of marginal dockage for large boats. Dock A will have 6 additional new slips with boat lifts. Included are all utilities including water and electrical sewage pump out. The next phase includes Piers E, F and G. Pier G will also include mechanical boat lifts. The City has been awarded $3,007,500 towards this phase.
On May 15, 2019, the City awarded The Vance Construction Company (Vance) a contract in the amount of $1,389,173.35 for the installation of the docks for Piers E, F and G. Docks have been constructed and delivered to the Riviera Beach Marina for installation pending permit approval. As installation is imminent, staff has identified that the contract awarded through Resolution 42-19, did not provide the City Manager with the authority to execute change orders up to 10% of the contract. Staff is seeking this authority on behalf of the City Manager to eliminate installation delays should a change order be required.