Ocoee approves change order for Lakefront Park project

Additional funds have been approved for Ocoee’s Lakefront Park project.

City leaders voted unanimously during the Sept. 17 commission meeting to approve a change order in the amount of $49,103 for the Lakefront Park improvement project phase 1. The change order was requested due to coordination complexity and public utility conflicts the city’s contractactor encounter during the lakefront park project. Due to these conflicts, the contractor experienced significant delays that caused them to demobilize and remobalize their equipment, Assistant City Manager Craig Shadrix said. 

“One of the subcontractors did a poor job with some of their work, and we had required it to be redone,” Shadrix said. “That caused a delay. … They (contractor) can’t keep their crew out there waiting for someone to finish or redo a job. They have to move their crew somewhere else, so that’s called demobilizing. When they have to do that and then remobilize, there’s a cost associated with it.

Shadrix added that the change order will be funded through recreation impact fees. Funding for phase 1 of the improvement project totals $2.841 million, according to the change order documents.

The Lakefront Park Improvement project is a major aspect of the city’s efforts to revitalize the downtown area, and the project is being conducted in three phases. Phase 1 of the project is currently underway and involves removing existing driveways, walkways and buildings; constructing new restrooms, a wedding garden, pedestrian pathways and also includes parking improvements. 

Phase 2 consists of constructing the new City Hall along with a splash pad, event plaza with restrooms and an event/performance pavilion. The total cost for phase 2 is estimated at about $3 million. Phase 3 consists of shoreline improvements of Starke Lake, adding native plants along the lake to improve water quality and adding landscaping and improved sidewalks and lighting. Enhanced waterfront features — such as a boardwalk, piers and docks — also are included in phase 3. The cost estimated for phase 3 is about $2 million, according to the city website.  

Commissioner Rosemary Wilsen was absent from the meeting.

In Other News

The commission proclaimed Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month.

City leaders proclaimed the week of Sept. 23 to 29 as Diaper Need Awareness Week.

Commissioners conducted the first reading of ordinances pertaining to the annexation and rezoning of three separate properties into the city. The first property is the Skipper property located at 1936 Adair St., and is approximately 1.01 acres. The second property is a 0.51 acre parcel located 1557 Blackwood Avenue, and is identified as the Crews/Smeller property. The third and final property is a 2.80 parcel located on 8815 Hackney Prairie Road.