ITB-26-49 FDOT Pond Beautification Project

City of Winter Haven, FL - Economic Opportunity & Community Investment has issued invitation to bid.

The City has designed and coordinated with the FDOT for the plan to enhance the appeal and activate the current stormwater pond. It will serve to connect to adjacent retail and commercial spaces on multiple sides of the pond. Improvements to the pond are envisioned to include landscaping, pedestrian improvements, seating and other enhancements, transforming the area into an activated space within the downtown.

In the early 2000s, FDOT completed the “Cross Over”, realigning a portion of US 17 in the area of Avenue G SW (Andy’s Igloo). As part of these improvements, a retention pond was constructed on the southern side of Downtown. Over the past few years, several public and private improvements have continued the redevelopment patterns of the central downtown core towards the south. Some of the public improvements in this area include the Third Street SW and most recently Avenue C SW Complete Street projects. Private investment in the area has also enhanced the area including redevelopment of many properties along Third Street SW and Avenue C SW such as Grove Roots, Rain Dance and Breeze Apartments, Bowen Yard and others. With these trends of redevelopment in the downtown area of the City, the FDOT Pond Area and adjacent land are naturally following the redevelopment patterns for both public and private redevelopment. Most recently “Bowen Yard”, adjacent to the pond has opened and additional development continues to take place in this immediate area. The City applied for and received a Beautification Grant from the FDOT for this stormwater pond.

Responses are due October 1, 2026 at 2:00 PM EDT.

Questions must be submitted by September 22, 2026 at 2:00 PM EDT.

Commodity categories: Construction, Sidewalk and Driveway (Includes Pedestrian and Handicap Ramps); Construction, Street (Major and Residential)(Includes Reconstruction); Maintenance and Repair, Sewer and Storm Drain (Including Removal); Streetscaping Services; Erosion Control Services; Landscaping (Including Design, Fertilizing, Planting, etc., But Not Grounds Maintenance or Tree Trimming Services).

Contact: Angela Hibbard, CRA Manager (ahibbard@mywinterhaven.com, (863) 291-5600).

2 documents are attached to the notice: FDOT Pond Park - 100% Plans - 07-09-2026; FDOT_Pond_Agreement_fully_signed_&_Notice_to_Proceed.

The full solicitation document, addenda and the question-and-answer thread are on the agency's OpenGov portal at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/winterhavenfl/projects/283920. Responses are submitted electronically there, and a free vendor account is required before you can upload one.