Highway projects would get $3.6 billion for roads, bridges, aviation, ports, rail

Florida Gov. Rick Scott's goal of investing state dollars in job creation as a means of lowering the cost of living for Florida families has resulted in a budget proposal that fully funds the Florida Department of Transportation's Work Program. That program includes investments in the state's highway, bridge, ports and other infrastructure improvements.

Scott's proposed FY 2014 budget includes a Work Program budget of $8.3 billion. The Florida governor

Rick Scott

noted the positives in the current economy. "The unemployment rate is declining, the housing market is improving, 

consumer confidence is rising and economic growth in our communities is continuing," said Scott. "This is the right time to fund much needed transportation improvements."

Included in the $8.3 budget proposal is $3.6 billion for construction of highway projects. Among that $3.6 billion is $114 million for county transportation programs, $525 million for resurfacing projects, $401 million for public transit development grants, $287 million for bridge construction, $169 million for aviation grants and more.

The funding also includes $288 million for seaport projects, which include basin deepening and widening of Port Canaveral West and includes the Port Miami Deep Dredge project for the deepening of South Fisherman's Channel. The budget also includes $160 million in funding for rail projects, including constructing and expanding 29 miles as part of the SunRail/Phase II project.

The budget would also include $287 million for bridge repairs and replacement of more than 30 bridges and $144 million for safety initiatives.

Proposal to provide increased Internet connectivity, cell phone coverage in parks

Internet connectivity in your tent? Cell phone coverage sitting around the campfire?

It could happen. The National Park Service has announced a pilot program that would enhance cell coverage and Internet connectivity in national parks. The pilot program will include five parks that could begin this summer. National Park Service officials note that there are up to a dozen parks on the short list for the services.

The Park Service is partnering with a trade association for the expanded services and acknowledges that it expects some critics. Park Services spokesperson Jeffrey Olson noted, "We're guessing that there will be interest from the public, and we will have formal input processes."

Proponents insist that today's population is a "wired" population that is used to being able to use technology - from cell phones to iPads - wherever they go. Park Service officials say they do not plan to have Internet and cell access everywhere in the nation's nearly 60 national parks, but instead at park entrances, lodges, visitor centers and traffic corridors.

Officials also say that by allowing more Internet access and cell service, park goers who are used to having information at their fingertips can even get park information at park visitor centers, instead of being offered paper fliers. And it also provides coverage for cell phones that could be used during an emergency situation.

"We're not wiring the backcountry," said Olson.

HISD to seek bids for professional services to build new schools

The Houston Independent School District, which last November passed a $1.89 billion bond election that focuses on building, is seeking professional services firms to participate in the construction and renovation program involving 40 schools in the district. Professional services contracts in 14 areas related to school construction will be awarded. Included in the bid are categories such as geotechnical services, environmental services, HVAC systems, hazardous materials consulting, cost estimating, code consultants, accessibility consultants, air-quality testing and monitoring, roofing inspections and enhanced commissioning. School officials say the goal is to find firms to deliver high-quality services as the schools are being built and ensure the district and its taxpayers get the best value. Firms interested in submitting qualifications for professional services consulting should attend a Feb. 12 pre-submittal conference. All proposals are due on Feb. 19. The district hopes to have approved contracts in place by mid-March.

Oklahoma school district seeks to pass $126.4 million bond for three new schools

The fate of three new schools will rest in the hands of voters in the Moore, Oklahoma, Public School District on Feb. 12. The largest school bond issue in the district's history, the bond issue would provide for construction of two new elementary schools and one new junior high. Bond proceeds also would be used for transportation equipment, band facilities, roofing projects and land purchases. The new schools are needed, officials say, to deal with increased student enrollment, including nearly 2,000 new students over the last five years. 

 

University of Missouri plans athletic department, stadium upgrades

Mike Alden

The University of Missouri athletics department is the beneficiary of an $8.3 million gift that will be used for improvements and expansions of athletics facilities. The money, donated by Don and Audrey Walsworth, both Mizzou graduates, will also be used to renovate Faurot Field and a new clubhouse for the men's and women's golf teams at The Club at Old Hawthorne. Athletics Director Mike Alden hailed the Walsworths for their donation, which brings their total in donations to the university to $14 million. Don Walsworth is also a former chair of the University of Missouri Board of Curators. "Our gift is also for the-student athletes, as we believe their education should come first - an ideal I know our family shares with the university," he said. The university is in the throes of a $200 million athletics department improvement program. The fundraising began last June with a $30 million donation from Kansas City Sports and a $6.4 million gift from an anonymous donor.

 

Baltimore County schools looking at major security expenditures

Baltimore County schools are planning a $3.7 million initiative that will result in the installation of cameras that stream live video to police stations and patrol cars. It will also add new entry systems in all schools along with a state-of-the-art visitor identification system as part of the plan to improve security. The proposal was announced at a press conference that included county officials, the school superintendent and the chief of police.  

 

Texas A&M regents approve $36 million in building renovations

Texas A&M University Board of Regents recently approved plans to renovate three campus facilities at a total cost of about $36 million. The facility upgrades reflect the university's plan to restore existing facilities when feasible with adding new facilities as necessary at the campus in College Station, A&M officials said. Regents allotted $11.37 million to upgrade the four-story Jack K. Williams Building located at the entrance to the university. Plans call for the 68,000-square-foot building that houses the offices of the president, four vice presidents and associate offices to be completed in October 2014. Renovations to Scoates Hall, a three-story building with about 67,613 square feet of space, are expected to cost about $10.6 million and be completed in November 2013. The third project approved is to spend $15.45 million to complete the third phase of a plan to renovate 12 dormitories housing the Corps of Cadets. Current plans are to rebuild one of the dorms to accommodate 220 cadets along with an adjacent leadership learning center to replace a small, outdated lounge.

 

Jack Cagle

Harris County, Texas, officials recently began the final design stage for a new $20 million to $25 million road to connect State Highway 249 to westbound Sam Houston Tollway. The goal of the new connector road is to alleviate traffic from southbound SH249 to the Sam Houston Tollway, said Commissioner Jack Cagle, who represents precinct 4 in Harris County. Current plans are to seek bids for the connector road project in September and begin construction in late 2013 or 2014. "It's almost $20-25 million to put that direct connector in, but we're going to go ahead and do that because with the extra volume on State Highway 249 we got to be able to get them off quickly and safely," said Cagle. The Harris County Toll Authority is paying for the connector road project, which was added to its Capital Improvement Program during summer 2012.

Florida officials have signed off on spending $2.1 billion toward a project to expand I-4 by adding express toll lanes. Those lanes will be added along I-4 on a 25-mile stretch from State Road 434 in Longwood to Kirkman Road in Orlando. Tolls on the roadway will be based on volume of traffic at certain hours. For instance, drivers using the toll lanes during the morning rush hour might expect to pay a toll of nearly $8. The project also includes modifications on 13 bridges, rebuilding 15 major intersections, constructing 56 new bridges, replacing another 68 bridges and making modifications to another 13 bridges.

Clifford Rippetoe

A new request for proposals for construction of a convention hotel at the Kentucky Exposition Center has been approved by the Kentucky State Fair Board. The project calls for construction of a 600-room hotel that would connect to the South Wing of the Expo Center via an elevated walkway. Responses to the RFP are due March 4. The RFP was issued previously and drew only one response and was canceled. Officials say the new RFP is more favorable to hotel developers, allowing them to see the maximum amount of state tourism tax credits for such a project. That was not part of the previous RFP. The project is estimated to cost approximately $100 million. Clifford "Rip" Rippetoe said representatives of conventions and trade shows frequently inquire about blocks of hotel rooms and don't choose Louisville because those rooms are not available. Rippetoe said because of low interest rates, now is a good time to move forward with a hotel project. With plans to reopen the Kentucky Kingdom amusement park at the Expo Center, officials are confident there will be significant use of hotel rooms. Officials say they would love to have a new hotel in place when the amusement park reopens, but admit that might not be feasible.

Officials in Derby, Connecticut, are anticipating taking a bond issue to voters this spring for a variety of upgrades needed at the local wastewater treatment plant. Officials of the Derby Water Pollution Control Authority say they have been working for months prioritizing upgrades needed at the plant and on its equipment. That includes upgrades to nearly 50-year-old pump stations and boilers. Among the priorities are replacement of the Roosevelt Drive pump station at a cost of about $6.2 million, rehabilitation of the South Division Street pump station at a cost of about $750,000, $9 million in downtown sewage treatment plant upgrades and other improvements to two  more pump stations. Officials are looking at a bond program that will cover 20 years.

Terry John Calhoun

With no grant funds available for a proposed 3-million-gallon wastewater treatment plant which could handle growth in Rainbow City, Alabama, for the next 30 years, a proposed 5 mill ad valorem tax has been proposed to help fund the $14.8 million facility. The Rainbow City Council has agreed to pay half the cost of the plant, tripling the capacity of the city's lagoon wastewater treatment system. Mayor Terry John Calhoun said the city will use the millage increase to help defray the costs of the facility and any excess funds will be earmarked for future sewer expansions. Officials are hopeful that eventually sewer service can be expanded to all Rainbow City residents. The plant construction will be the result of two bond issues - one was held last year and another will be issued next month. The Utility Board and the city will combine efforts to build the plant. The board can realize its share of the costs through rate increases by the city of Gadsden for its customers and other cities and water authorities to which it sells. Rainbow City was the only city without an ad valorem tax. The new tax could be instituted by the City Council vote. It would have to be approved by May 1 and begin collections Oct. 1. The existing plant was built to handle about 740,000 gallons of waste per day and is instead currently handling about 1 million gallons per day. The plant, including design and construction, is expected to take two and one-half to three years to complete.

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Indianapolis airport's solar farm project includes 41,000 solar panels

Artist's rendering of the Indianapolis airport solar farm to be built starting in March.

Construction on the largest solar farm at any North American airport is scheduled to begin next month. The $35 million to $40 million project will be situated at the entrance to the Indianapolis International Airport. The project represents a public-private partnership that includes the Indianapolis Airport Authority, the city of Indianapolis and three private sector partners - Telamon

Robert Duncan

Corporation, Johnson Melloh Solutions and the Indianapolis Power & Light Company.

The proposed 75-acre farm will be built by two of the private partners and will be able to produce enough renewable energy to prevent some 10,700 tons of carbon dioxide from being released into the environment. That's like taking 2,000 cars off the roads of central Indiana.

The Federal Aviation Administration has approved the project and officials see no problems in obtaining drainage, structural, electrical and airport work permits. When completed, the solar farm will include more than 41,000 solar panels that will produce more than 15 million kilowatt hours of electric energy annually, enough to power more than 1,200 average American homes for a year. Planning and surveying is still under way, with final selections for engineering and contracting firms upcoming. Construction is expected to begin at the end of March.

"As the first airport in the U.S. to receive LEED certification for its entire campus, IND is the appropriate home to the largest airport-based solar farm in the country," said Robert Duncan, executive director for the IAA. "We believe the public-private partnership formed to build and manage this new solar farm is a natural fit to our commitment to both economic and environmental sustainability."

Canaveral Port Authority discussing possible development partner for project

The Canaveral Port Authority is looking into the possibility of bringing in a private sector partner to assist with the development of its planned 50,000 square feet of retail and office space. The development will be on 40 acres called The Cove.

 

Officials are expecting the consultant on the project to bring forward three development concepts at a March 14 meeting. These concepts include input from the community. The final plan is expected to go to the Canaveral Port Authority for a vote on March 27. Authority officials say the project could cost between $25 million and $30 million. They have not yet decided if they will bring on a private sector partner. Matt Taylor, national director of land use and market strategies at C&S Cos., said these types of projects almost always include the private sector participation to some degree. The project could include a boutique hotel, conference center, restaurant and entertainment facilities.

  

Cuomo proposes P3 activity as New York recovers from hurricane

Andrew Cuomo

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is proposing that private companies be allowed to finance public infrastructure projects to help speed storm damage recovery from Hurricane Sandy. Cuomo proposed a bill within his budget that would allow the private sector to play a role in financing state road construction, buildings and flood-control projects.

 

The private sector firms would pay the construction costs up-front, to be repaid by the state when it is reimbursed with federal funds.

 

Current law only allows design-build methods to be used by the Thruway Authority and the transportation, parks and recreation and environmental conservation departments. This new legislation would expand that ability to all state agencies, authorities and commissions that have at least one board member appointed by the governor.

 

New York is still recovering from the October superstorm that destroyed or damaged 300,000 homes and caused massive flooding of the New York subway system. Billions of dollars' worth of federal aid will be allocated to the area for storm recovery.

 

Illinois

• Black Hawk Community College in Moline, Rock Island County, is seeking bids for expansion of campus parking on its east campus in Galva, Illinois.
• Southeastern Illinois College in Harrisburg, Saline County, is seeking bids to replace bleachers and upgrade a gym floor.

Kansas

• The El Dorado Correctional Facility in El Dorado, Kansas, is seeking bids for a metal roof refit for the administration building.
• The Kansas Department of Transportation Smith Center is seeking bids for a cone dome reroof.

Florida

• The Florida Department of Corrections is seeking bids for contractual services for the operation of work release centers in Department of Corrections-owned facilities.
• The Florida Prepaid College Board is requesting responses to an Invitation to Negotiate, ITN #13-01, from qualified firms to provide banking and lockbox services for the Stanley G. Tate Florida Prepaid College Program and the Florida 529 Savings Plan.

Pennsylvania

• The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections is seeking bids for removal of the existing roof at the Camp Hill State Correctional Institution in Cumberland County and replacement with a new TPO roof system.
• The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry is seeking bids for evaluation and cost analysis of current HVAC for the Labor Industry Building Conference Room 100 in Harrisburg, Dauphin County.

Ohio

• The Ohio Department of Administrative Services is seeking bids for cost-per-copy services for all state agencies and properly registered counties, townships, municipal corporations, regional transit authorities, regional airport authorities, port authorities, school districts, conservancy districts, township park districts and park districts.
• The Ohio Department of Health is seeking quotes for delivery and installation of a walk-in cooler to store vaccines and other biological commodities.

Cassandra Deck-Brown (top left), interim chief and internal candidate who has been with the Raleigh, North Carolina, Police Department since 1987 and had worked her way up to deputy chief, has been chosen to become the city's next police chief. Sylvia Mathews Burwell (top center), president of the Walmart Foundation and a veteran of the Clinton White House budget and Treasury operations, is expected to be tapped by President Barack Obama as the next director of the Office of Management and Budget. Jere W. Morehead (top right), senior vice president for academic affairs and provost at the University of Georgia, has been named the sole finalist to succeed Michael F. Adams as the institution's president. The Georgetown, Texas, Fire Department has selected John Sullivan, former assistant fire chief of the Golder Ranch Fire District near Tucson, Arizona, as its new chief. Logan (West Virginia) County's Board of Education has selected Phyllis Doty, director for curriculum, as its new superintendent to replace Wilma Zigmond, who is retiring. Jeff Palen, formerly Columbia, South Carolina, treasurer, has been selected as the new chief financial officer of the city. Horatio Porter (middle right), who has served as budget officer for the City of Fort Worth since 2009, has been named the city's chief financial officer and will oversee both the Budget Office and the Financial Management Services department. Helen E. Dragas (middle center) has been reappointed for a second four-year term as leader of the University of Virginia's Board of Visitors. Tennessee Tech University recently announced J. Reid Christenberry (middle left), former CIO at Georgia Perimeter College, as its new chief information officer to direct strategic planning in Information Technology Services for the university. Craig County Schools in Virginia has chosen Kelly B. Whitmore, former Director of Student Services at the Fluvanna County Schools, as the new leader of the schools. Kirk Bednar, who has served as assistant city manager for the city of Brentwood, Tennessee, since 2000, will take over as city manager in Streator, replacing retiring city manager Mike Walker. Springfield, Massachusetts, Superintendent Daniel J. Warwick has promoted Patrick A. Roach to the interim chief financial officer position, replacing Timothy J. Plante, and named Anthony W. Soto as acting budget director. Martha Pollack (bottom left), vice provost for academic and budgetary affairs and former dean of the University of Michigan's school of information, has been appointed provost of the university, replacing Provost Philip Hanlon, who will become president of Dartmouth College. Thomas Bonfield (bottom center), city manager in Pensacola, Florida, and former city manager of Temple Terrace, Florida, is the new city manager of the city of Durham, North Carolina. Domenico Grasso (bottom right), vice president for research and dean of the Graduate College of the University of Vermont, will become the next provost of the University of Delaware, effective Aug. 15. Robert Jonsen, a 26-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, has been named the new police chief of Menlo Park, succeeding Lee Violett, who has been serving as interim chief. Dave Osberg, city administrator for Hastings, Minnesota, has been chosen the next administrator in Eagan, replacing retiring administrator Tom Hedges. Scott French will be named Director of Fire Services for the City of Manhattan, Kansas, effective March 1, replacing Jerry Snyder, who is retiring at the end of this month.