News

By Rich Pollack
    
    Highland Beach officials are hoping the third time will be a charm when it comes to finding a contractor to enclose two terraces at the public library.
    The town has $150,000 set aside for the project in its current budget, but the work has been stalled while commissioners grapple with the process of finding a professional to design the enclosures.
    During the summer the town issued a request for qualifications for an architect to develop plans and received several responses. A selection committee recommended contracting with the architectural firm of Bridges, Marsh & Associates at a negotiated a price of $16,000.
    Following concerns voiced by residents over whether an architect was necessary for such a small project, town commissioners rejected the staff recommendation.
    When informed by the town building official that the town code required an architect for the project, commissioners asked staff to issue a request for proposal for the design phase.
    “We received only one proposal and that was for more than $25,000,” said Town Manager Kathleen Weiser.
    Frustrated by the lack of other responses, commissioners rejected the bid and decided on yet a third approach.
    “We need to get this done,” Vice Mayor Ron Brown said.
    During discussions at a meeting last month, Commissioner Lou Stern said he was disappointed the project hadn’t moved forward.
    “I think it’s time the commission asks staff to find a solution,” he said. “We should hire a contractor who will work with an architect.”
    In coming weeks, town officials hope to put out a request for proposals for a firm that will handle both the design and building phases of the project.
    Weiser said a committee made up of town officials and interested residents has been working to put together the request for proposal for the design/build method.
    That proposal is expected to come before commissioners this month.
    Weiser said she is optimistic that staff will be able to make a recommendation to the commission on a contractor to handle the entire project by March and that construction could start soon thereafter.