Paperwork delays Palmetto's living shoreline project, new start date planned for late April

PALMETTO -- Securing a construction bond required by the state of Florida took a little longer than expected and delayed an anticipated start date of Palmetto's living shoreline project from two weeks ago to mid-April.

Project manager Bob Gause of Allison-Gause Inc., however, said the issue has been resolved and the bond secured.

"Reef Innovations is working with Quality Marine to finish the prep work and determining where the modules are going to go," he said. "They are trying to nail down the timing and have indicated an estimated start date of April 18, but the tides will control some of that. Once the prep work is completed, I anticipate the modules will begin being installed by the last week of April."

The Palmetto City Commission finalized a $311,526 contract in February with Sarasota-based Reef Innovations.

The project is being called the first of its kind involving construction of concrete balls to mimic a coral reef off Palmetto's shoreline of the Manatee River along Riverside Park West.

The modules are designed to attract marine wildlife and vegetation to create its own marine environment similar a coral reef ecosystem.

The living shoreline will eventually establish an environment about 10 feet off the newly repaired seawall, which Palmetto-

based Quality Marine Construction completed ahead of schedule in February.

The living shoreline project was expected to begin shortly thereafter in anticipation of a planned Florida Department of Transportation launch of a $10 million multimodal project from the Green Bridge. Phase 1 of the multimodal trail project is fully funded.

FDOT will resume the final five phases that will eventually connect all city parks in 2021.

Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant said FDOT plans to begin phase 1 construction May 29. The living shoreline project must be completed first, however, and Bryant said, "Hopefully it all comes together."

Gause said he is confident it will.

"The modules are already constructed and ready to go," he said. "If not for the bond issue, it would already be done. It won't take long once they start. I'm assuming no more than three weeks."

The living shoreline is expected to offer visitors a unique view once more planned improvements are done at Riverside Park West. Those plans, still in the design phase, are expected to include an above-ground deck over the mangrove shoreline that will offer a view to the living shoreline and the Manatee River.

According to the contract, the city will receive 50-percent matching funds from Southwest Florida Water Management District with the balance being funded through the Community Redevelopment Agency.

The living shoreline will be about 970 feet long and encompass 9,950 square feet. Bryant said the city plans to issue a press release once construction begins.

Mark Young, Herald urban affairs reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7041 or follow him on Twitter @urbanmark2014.

This story was originally published April 9, 2016 at 10:47 PM with the headline "Paperwork delays Palmetto's living shoreline project, new start date planned for late April ."