City receives 3 bids to dredge, reconfigure south marina basin

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm

Reporter - News Analyst

October 30, 2018 11:35 a.m.

Existing configuration of docks in south basin

On October 19, 2018 representatives of the city of Fernandina Beach opened envelopes containing the three bids received in response to ITB 18-23.  Through this bid the city sought firms who were interested in reconfiguring the south basin of the City Marina to remove most of the existing docks and replace them with a long dock that parallels the south attenuator, which is being replaced under a separate contract already awarded.

New dock configuration proposed for south basin

The scope of work for this project involves three major elements:

• Demolition & Removal (South Basin Floating Docks): Remove floating docks in the Southern Basin including utilities and anchor piling as indicated in the Drawings. The existing gangways will be removed, refurbished, and be re-installed.
• Demolition & Removal (“Vuturo” Building): Remove and properly dispose of overwater building, known as the “Vuturo” Building, including its foundation piling. Dredging & Disposal: Remove and dispose of material that has accumulated in the south basin of the marina to the elevations indicated on the Bid Drawings. Exact disposal design/methodology shall be the responsibility of the Contractor and shall be submitted with their Work Plan for review and approval prior to initiation. Contractor shall be responsible for adhering to conditions of all applicable permits.
• Floating Docks: Design and install a new side-tie floating dock (Dock 6) as indicated in the Bid Drawings. This includes the installation of the complete floating dock system, a new gangway, anchor piles, and all engineering to support the selected manufacturer’s proprietary system. The Contractor may elect to construct the new floating side-tie dock using existing Bellingham Marine concrete pontoons that have been cleaned, inspected, and refurbished as directed in the Specifications.

Additionally, the selected contractor will be asked refurbish existing dinghy docks and fit them with utilities.  Another task will be to install new marina utilities to include marine electrical, potable water and a dry fire standpipe system.

The following bids were received:

City representatives and the city’s marina consultant will review the details of the bids and make a recommendation to the Fernandina Beach City Commission at their November 7, 2018 Regular Meeting.  Note that this meeting, usually held on Tuesday, has been moved to Wednesday due to Election Day on November 6.

Editor's Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne's many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.