Town of Cutler Bay Town Council Workshop Focuses on Legacy Park Costs
Cutler Bay, FL, June 27, 2024 - The Town Council of Cutler Bay held a pivotal workshop on June 13, 2024, focusing on developing the 16-acre Legacy Park and Municipal Complex.
During the workshop, the Town Council reviewed detailed floor plans of the key facilities, including the Town Hall, Police Station, Community Center, and Pool. This review aimed to ensure that the layout and design meet the community's needs and align with the project’s goals.
The Town Council also received a presentation regarding the status of the Brownfield remediation efforts. The town’s Environmental Attorney, Michael Goldstein, provided updates on the site’s environmental conditions and the steps being taken to ensure public health and safety. The approved Site Management Plan was highlighted as a crucial milestone, paving the way for the town to pursue grants that could potentially save millions of dollars.
Following the environmental updates, the Town Council turned its attention to project costs. They discussed various cost management strategies with Kauffman Lynn Construction, including value engineering and the design-assist concept. This approach is designed to ensure that the project remains within budget while maintaining high quality.
Kauffman Lynn Construction, selected through a competitive bid process, will work side-by-side with the Design Team to provide a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) and Design/Assist Services. This collaboration is critical for managing costs and optimizing the project’s design and construction phases. This proactive approach allows for better cost control and efficient resource management throughout the construction process.
Mayor Tim Meerbott reiterated the importance of cost management for the project. He then deferred to Vice Mayor Callahan, who is a general contractor, to provide his expertise on the matter. "From the beginning, we have been acutely aware of our budget constraints," stated Vice Mayor Callahan. "Our goal is to ensure that the Legacy Park and Municipal Complex project remains within our financial means while still delivering a functional and valuable asset to our community."
Town Manager Rafael Casals reassured residents of the Council’s commitment to cost management. He mentioned that he met with individual members of the Council, and they expressed the same concerns about project costs. Casals stated, "We are exploring every option to ensure that the project is completed within budget. This includes potential direct purchases by the town to save on contractor markups and leveraging various grants to fund different aspects of the project." He also reiterated that the process the Town has created with the construction firm through the Design/Assist services secures a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP). Casals added, "At the end of the design phase, our selected construction firm will prepare a GMP to construct the Legacy Park and Municipal Complex, which will avoid any potential change orders since the construction firm was involved from the beginning of the design process."
The next steps for the project include finalizing the design, securing additional funding through grants, and beginning construction on the initial phases of the park and municipal buildings.
The Town of Cutler Bay looks forward to sharing more updates on this exciting project as it progresses. To stay updated, please sign up for our e-newsletter.
Watch full Town Council Workshop below:
Download the presentation slides here.
For more media inquiries, please email media@cutlerbay-fl.gov or call 305-234-4262.
