City officials expect work on Mendonsa Road will be complete by April 30, about five months later than originally planned.
Additional utility work by Verizon caused most of the delay, but now that that work has been completed, reconstruction of Mendonsa can recommence, City Manager Greg Horwedel told city commissioners at their Feb. 11 meeting.
Horwedel released a revised schedule, which notes the installation of a water line under the road is set for completion this week. Later this month, crews will connect existing water services and remove the old line. Beginning in March, workers will connect existing sewer lines and install new drainage systems, which will solve the flooding problems that caused Mendonsa to deteriorate.
Grading should begin March 13, with the completion date set for the end of April.
Horwedel said he hopes to have a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the project’s completion.
In June 2012, the City Commission accepted a bid from Marlon Dunn Contracting, of Plant City, for amount of $1,288,758.19. It originally was expected to be finished Nov. 28, 2012.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Hillsborough County Deputy County Administrator Lucia Garsys presented to the City Commission the county’s Economic Prosperity Stakeholder Committee’s Final Report.
The report details 30 recommendations the 21-member committee is proposing to help boost economic development within the county.
Garsys and Economic Development Director Ron Barton are presenting the report to Hillsborough municipalities and other organizations to solicit feedback before the Hillsborough County Commission considers adopting it.
Although Plant City commissioners applauded the county for its proactive efforts to stimulate the local economy, they questioned why the committee did not include representatives from Plant City. Garsys assured the commission that as the discussion progresses, the county would seek input from other municipalities.
“We want to be invited to the table; we want to contribute to the plan,” City Commissioner Rick Lott said. “We are looking forward to the day someone from our group can contribute to this plan. … We’re much stronger working together than apart.”
Lott noted Plant City currently has about 4,000 acres of land already planned and zoned for use.
City Commissioner Bill Dodson agreed and hopes the committee will consider the importance of agriculture and agri-business.
Mayor Mike Sparkman indicated the City Commission and city staff would respond with comments in a single letter.
Contact Michael Eng at meng@plantcityobserver.com.
IN OTHER BUSINESS
• City commissioners postponed until March public hearings to demolish the structures at 1107 W. Granfield St., 1109 W. Granfield St. and 503 S.W. Drane St. The Tampa Tribune failed to advertise the public hearings, so legally, they had to be rescheduled, Sparkman said.
• The commission rescheduled the second public hearing regarding amending the language regarding the C-1A zoning code designation. The amended language specifies more clearly what businesses are allowed under that code. The second hearing will be at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25, at the Sadye Gibbs Martin Auditorium at City Hall, 302 W. Reynolds St.
• Horwedel reported Palmer Street would be closed near the railroad crossing just east of downtown until Feb. 28. Crews are working to repair a gas line along the road. However, the road will be open for traffic during the Strawberry Classic Car Show Feb. 16.
