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County Administrator's Report 11. 8.
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| BCC Regular Meeting |
Technical/Public Service Consent |
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| RECOMMENDATION: |
Recommendation Concerning the Eastern Federal Lands Access Program - Quietwater Beach Ferry Landing Site - Joy D. Blackmon, P.E., Public Works Department Director
That the Board take the following action concerning the Eastern Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) Project Grant Application for the Quietwater Beach Ferry Landing Site:
A. Authorize the County Administrator or his designee to submit a request for FLAP Funds to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division (EFLHD) to request Grant funding for the Quietwater Beach Ferry Landing Site; and
B. Authorize the Chairman and/or the County Administrator, or designee, to sign any other documents related to the request for FLAP Funds, subject to Legal sign-off, and without further action of the Board.
[Funding source: No County funds will be required. The 20% match will be funded by FDOT toll revenue credits] |
| BACKGROUND: |
A project application for the Eastern Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) is being submitted by Escambia County for the design and construction of docking facilities and land-side improvements for the Pensacola Bay passenger ferry service at Quietwater Beach Pier. This project grant application is supported by the National Park Service (NPS), Gulf Islands National Seashore (see attached letter of support), the Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA) (approved during the February 25, 2015, Special SRIA Board Meeting), the Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization (TPO), and local stakeholders. The county is currently working on the design and construction of Phase I, the landing dock, using $979,439.00 in funds awarded under the FLAP in 2015.
Understanding that the FLAP Grant Program has a current 4-year cycle with approximately $5M available each cycle statewide, the parties involved have constructed the grant proposal into a “multi-phased” or “priority” approach. The breakdown of the three phases and related costs are attached herein.
The first priority includes all waterside and accessibility improvements less the widening of the existing Quietwater Pier dock; the second priority is widening the Quietwater Pier dock, and the third priority will be the land-side improvements, which includes the construction of a shade structure and seating upgrades at the existing Boardwalk Amphitheatre. The FLAP Grant Program requires a 20% local match; however, the county will utilize FDOT toll revenue credits to cover the local match contribution leaving no budgetary impact to the county.
The estimated total cost for all water-side and land-side improvements is approximately $3,485,436.25, of which $697,087.25 would constitute the county’s local match requirement (see attached Quietwater Beach Ferry Landing Site Cost Information).
As proposed, the project would construct the necessary docking facilities and land-side improvements for the Pensacola Bay passenger ferry service at Quietwater Beach Pier. The attached FLAP Grant Application details the phased approach for the Quietwater Beach area improvements as agreed upon by all involved parties. Priority 1/Phase 1, which included all water-side improvements plus ticket kiosk and accessibility upgrades less existing pier widening, has been awarded FLAP funds and is currently in design with construction anticipated in early 2017. Priority 2/Phase 2 includes widening of the existing pier, and Priority 3/Phase 3 includes all land-side improvements, including the shade structure.
This ferry service will meet significant transportation needs for the City of Pensacola, Pensacola Beach, and the Fort Pickens area of Gulf Islands National Seashore as identified in the Seashore’s new General Management Plan. The National Park Service completed an Alternative Transportation Study for Gulf Islands National Seashore in 2009 that validated the need of the ferry service, and completed a Ferry and Shuttle Transportation Feasibility Study in 2014 that confirmed operational details and the economic viability of the ferry service. The Seashore has constructed a ferry pier and associated handicapped accessible ramp, walkway, and passenger pavilion at Fort Pickens with Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks program funding.
Recently, early recovery efforts to mitigate impacts associated with the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill have created an opportunity to provide funding to Gulf Islands National Seashore for acquisition of two passenger ferry vessels. This Early Restoration project funding, over $4 million, has been received, and the Seashore has contracted with All American Marine for the design and construction of these passenger ferry boats.
The ferry service will be operated by the National Park Service under a concessions contract. The Pensacola Bay passenger ferry service is scheduled to begin May 2017. |
| BUDGETARY IMPACT: |
| No county funds will be required. The 20% match will be funded by FDOT toll revenue credits. |
| LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS/SIGN-OFF: |
| N/A |
| PERSONNEL: |
| No new personnel will be required. |
| POLICY/REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD ACTION: |
| Board policy requires Board approval of all grant applications. |
| IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION: |
| Escambia County Transportation & Traffic Operations (TTO) staff will coordinate with Santa Rosa Island Authority, City of Pensacola, Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization (TPO), and the National Park Service (NPS). Upon approval of the recommendation, TTO staff will submit the grant application to the Eastern Federal Lands Access Division of the Federal Highway Administration. |
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