The City of Margate plans to build a promenade along the new Amherst Avenue bulkhead now nearing completion.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
MARGATE – City engineer Ed Dennis Jr. Thursday, June 4 provided the Board of Commissioners and the public with an update on public projects completed over the last year and highlighted projects to come.
Dennis said the city received state grants to help offset the cost of the projects for taxpayers.
“Of the seven projects, the city utilized $600,000 in outside grant funds to offset the cost,” Dennis said.
Completed projects include painting the exterior of the Benson Avenue water tank at a cost of $705,320, which includes logos of Lucy the Elephant. It also upgraded Well #1. The city replaced utility lines and repaved Atlantic Avenue between Fredericksburg and Clermont avenues, and on Thurlow Avenue from Fulton Avenue to the bay. It installed a concrete paver island at Huntington and Fulton avenues, which, he said, improves the function and makes the roadway safer. The city continued with its ongoing effort to install cut-throughs at street ends that allow dune crossovers to become Americans With Disabilities Act compliant. The cut through is at Exeter Avenue.
Although it is not totally complete, work to replace the aged bulkhead along Amherst Avenue is winding down, Dennis said.
Looking forward, Dennis said there are 10 projects in the engineering and design phase. Construction is likely to start in fall.
The city plans to upgrade utilities and repave Bayshore Drive West, continue Atlantic Avenue utility and repaving between Clermont and Huntington avenues and complete a streetscape improvement project at Ventnor and Washington avenues in front of Historic City Hall. The city will redevelop Well #10, paint the inside of the Benson Avenue water tank and continue its bulkhead cut-through program at Argyle Avenue. It will be the 28th cut-through with only four street ends remaining, he said.
A curb and gutter replacement program will improve flood protection in various areas throughout the city.
The city will continue flood-proofing Firehouse #1 at 1 S. Washington Ave. and complete the Amherst Avenue bulkhead replacement project by installing a promenade that is currently being designed.
The city has received grant awards of $1.2 million to offset costs of future projects, Dennis said.
Additionally, infrastructure, including water, sewers and storm drains, throughout the city has been incorporated into a digital, interactive GIF database.
The city is formulating a working group of city staff to determine the system’s capabilities and how best to use the mapping system.
“The possibilities are vast,” Dennis said. “The working group will get into what applications we may be able to use this for. It’s an exciting proposition.”
Dennis also said the city will continue with a study to determine the effectiveness of a plan to restripe Atlantic Avenue with center turn lanes. The city is also pursuing grant funds to install a pump station on Adams Avenue that will clear storm drains in the Amherst Avenue business district.
“A lot is getting done,” Dennis said.
The city ceases construction projects during the summer months so residents and visitors can enjoy the summer season. The work will pick up again in fall.
In other business, the board approved a $98,800 contract with the Margate Business Association to assist in marketing the city and conduct community events.
It agreed to allow the public to bid on a piece of land on Union Avenue and the bay that is mostly under water. An adjoining property owner is interested in purchasing the land, which is no longer needed for public purposes, but the city is required by law to offer the property to other bidders. The minimum bid amount is $1,000.
The board also authorized the appointment of John Scott Abbott as municipal solicitor through June 20, 2021. Abbott will receive an $84,000 retainer and a contract amount including litigation and special projects not to exceed $125,000. His hourly rate for work outside the scope of the contract is $150 per hour.
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