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Front Page » Communities » Cost of Flagler Street beautification rises millions

Cost of Flagler Street beautification rises millions

Written by on October 5, 2021
  • www.miamitodayepaper.com
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Cost of Flagler Street beautification rises millions

A 30-month Flagler Street beautification downtown is on track but $5 million over budget, says Downtown Development Authority Chairman and City Commissioner Manolo Reyes. Work is now to cost $32 million. 

The plan is a curb-free, more pedestrian street with European style. But first work beneath the street must be done. Asphalt had to be removed and gas lines installed by TECO Gas Co. working with Lanzo Construction. They finished early, in only three days in August. 

But the project hit a bump in the road with the next step, Florida Power & Light laying cables for Flagler’s electricity.

“FP&L can’t use machinery to do their work because there are too many water lines and gas lines,” Mr. Reyes said. “I went and inspected it, and it has to be done by hand because of all the connections in the street. But they are working hard and fast. We are very much on top of it, and not letting it hold the Flagler businesses back.”

The FP&L mishap added $5 million to the original $27 million budget. “We are well covered, and we are going to have to use those funds as efficiently as we can,” he said. “I don’t want to waste money. The expenditures will be to benefit businesses and draw people into the area.”

A main concern is businesses on Flagler. On Oct. 1, the development authority gave $5,000 checks to affected small businesses. Workers are also ensuring access by keeping crosswalks open despite construction, Mr. Reyes said. 

“I hope we keep it moving as fast as they’re moving now. The contractors know that our main goal is to rebuild the street in the shortest time possible,” he said. “We don’t want another First Street fiasco. A couple years ago, Flagler and First Street Southeast took forever. It was so unfair. You didn’t see anyone work for days and days. Businesses went bankrupt, and I told contractors that if that happened, there would be consequences.”

One Response to Cost of Flagler Street beautification rises millions

  1. DC

    October 6, 2021 at 11:20 am

    And were there “consequences”? MT should reveal those “consequences” so the latest contractors know to watch out.

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