CDBG-DR - Consulting Services, Bus Shelters (HRP) - HS018

Escambia County desires to hire a qualified and experienced consulting firm for Programming, Construction Administration, Davis Bacon Compliance, Section 3 Compliance, Inspection, and Reporting Services for improvement of Escambia County Area Transit streetscapes and the addition of solar-powered lighting throughout LMI areas.

Escambia County looks to improve streetscapes and add solar-powered lighting throughout LMI areas by updating up to 32 of ECAT’s current bus shelters as well as installing up to 80 new bus shelters at stops which do not have a bus shelter. New bus shelters will allow Escambia County to bring the bus shelters to current ADA compliance. The bus shelters will provide necessary refuge during inclement weather for those connecting to employment, educational opportunities, and other services as well as provide the necessary lighting to feel safe and secure, especially when traveling before sunrise or after sunset.

On September 16, 2020, Hurricane Sally (DR-4564) swept over the Florida panhandle as a Category 2 hurricane, bringing heavy rainfall and flooding. The impacts of Hurricane Sally further demonstrated the need for an effective, comprehensive long-term recovery plan that would address and meet the remaining needs of Floridians following this catastrophic event. In the wake of this natural disaster, Florida came together to recover and rebuild, but significant unmet needs remain.

Recognizing this, Congress appropriated, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allocated a total of $113 million in funding to support long-term recovery efforts following Hurricane Sally through the Florida Department of Commerce (Commerce) Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Program.

Escambia County, Florida was awarded funding for the Hometown Revitalization Program Business Façade and Building Improvement (HRP projects). These projects will assist business owners and patrons in low‐ and moderate‐income (LMI) areas in their ongoing recovery process. The façade and lighting improvement projects will encourage physical improvements to the identified streetscapes throughout Escambia County. The addition and improvements of bus shelters will enhance the image and overall economic viability of the neighborhood business districts by improving the function and appearance of individual building façades. They will also spur new private investment in commercial properties in the surrounding location and along adjacent commercial districts and manifest readily observable outcomes that positively affect the community.

New bus shelters would allow Escambia County to bring the bus shelters to current ADA compliance while also providing the opportunity for local business advertisements to be updated or created. The bus shelters will provide necessary refuge during inclement weather for those connecting to employment, educational opportunities, and other services as well as provide the necessary lighting to feel safe and secure, especially when traveling before sunrise or after sunset. Environmental studies are required at these sites.

The appearance of streetscapes has a significant influence on the County’s economic success. By improving the physical appearance, the County will have a much greater potential for attracting and retaining businesses. These much‐needed repairs and improvements will signal positive change and stimulate similar improvements in neighboring buildings. The condition of individual buildings, storefronts, signs, bus shelters, and window displays all contribute to the visual character of the County’s appearance and play a major role in the success of the business district. Supporting the recovery of LMI areas is essential to ensuring that commercial tenants, customers, and jobs are restored with safe, affordable accessibility to public transportation.