Santa Rosa County Commissioners on Thursday are expected to approve soliciting bids for the Godwin Connector Project, a multiuse path connecting Madura Road and Soundside Drive, following the issuance of related state and federal permits.
The Godwin Connector Project is planned to be a 1,150 foot long by 10 foot wide multiuse path with 880 feet of raised pier section with the remaining 270 feet constructed of asphalt paving.
County records show the proposed path crosses protected wetlands, requiring both Corps of Engineers and Florida Department of Environmental Protection DEP permitting.
“Staff has received both permits and can now proceed with development of this project,” stated an April 22 memo from Santa Rosa County Assistant County Engineer Michael Schmidt.
According to the memo, as a requirement of the COE permit, 300 sweet bay magnolia trees must be planted and monitored weekly for the first month and monthly for the next eleven months. The cost to purchase the sweet bay trees is approximately $10,000, and $7500 to install with staff providing all monitoring.
Additionally, the COE also recommended a cultural Resources Assessment Survey, which was completed by Prentice Thomas & Assoc.
Estimated cost of construction for the multiuse path is approximately $500,000. So far the county has budgeted $610,857 for the project utilizing $145,857 from Area 3 and $465,000 from local option sales tax funds.
Commissioners are expected to approve advertising for bids for construction during their April 25 regular meeting.
