2702RFQ - Daytona Beach Replacement Pier Consultant

The City of Daytona Beach is hereby soliciting responses from qualified Consultants to provide professional services as hereinafter described, which may include architectural, marine/coastal engineering, civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, environmental, environmental engineering, surveying, geotechnical, grant writing and planning services. Services may also include project inspection, construction management, grant writing and planning services associated with design and operation.

The Daytona Beach Pier is the most recognizable landmark on Daytona Beach and has been the center of beach life since the beginning of the community.

The original pier, constructed of palm logs, was built before the turn of the 20th century and extended 600 feet into the ocean. It was built by Thomas Keating and was known as the Keating Pier. It was located at the end of Main Street, where the present pier is located.

On January 20, 1920 a fire destroyed the pavilion and most of the pier. In 1924, Keating sold the remains of the pier to Jeter McMillan who tore it down and began construction of a new pier. The new Pier Casino opened on June 11, 1925. The pier was 1,000 feet in length and featured a Victorian style building. Its ornate ballroom could accommodate 2,000 dancers and hosted some of the top bands of the day. In addition to dances, the Pier Casino was the scene of charity balls, weddings, beauty contest, social events as well as civic meetings.

During the years of beach racing, some of the pilings were removed to allow race cars to pass under the pier. The Pier Casino was also a popular location for photos of the famous racers who came to Daytona Beach. Those photos were seen worldwide and helped Daytona Beach to become known as "The World's Most Famous Beach." The pier has changed ownership several times since McMillan died in 1946. In 2004, it was acquired by the city of Daytona Beach who then leased it to a corporate operator. In 2009, the city took operational control of the pier, completely refurbished it and sought a long-term, quality tenant for the casino building.

On June 5, 2012, the Daytona Beach Pier reopened and the restaurant Joe's Crab Shack opened its doors and began serving its unique brand of seafood and casual entertainment.

Over the years, the pier has withstood the constant pounding of the Atlantic surf, fire and hurricanes, but it still stands, just as it was built in 1925. However, it currently is only about half as long as it was originally. The Pier has been known as the Ocean Pier, Keating Pier, Pier Casino, Main Street Pier and now the Daytona Beach Pier, but to most people it is simply known as "the pier" - the most recognizable landmark on Daytona Beach and source of many Daytona memories.

The Daytona Beach Pier is located at 1200 Main Street, Daytona Beach, FL 32118, the pier is a contributing property to the Daytona Beach Main Street National Registry Historic District, it is recorded in the Florida Master Site File, and has been certified by the United States National Park Services as a “Certified Historic Structure”. The City contracted WGI, Inc. (WGI) to evaluate the structural capacity of the current pier, perform a feasibility study for the construction of a new pier, and determine what modifications or improvements to the pier and surrounding area can be provided to enhance the Main Street Business and Entertainment District. WGI completed their scope of services in January 2023, the corresponding report will be included with this RFQ.

The existing pier is a timber framed structure that was constructed in 1925. The pier is constructed with a multitude of timber piles that over the years have been replaced or repaired. WGI performed an analysis of the existing pier and calculations showed the main structural components do not meet current design codes.

The City wishes to preserve the current location of the restaurant over the water and maintain the historical value of the building. Consequently, the new pier will be constructed independently of the restaurant. Based on the analysis of the existing structure, the restaurant’s substructure is not dependent on the adjacent pier components. However, phased under this Contract the CONSULTANT will be tasked with evaluating the restaurants substructure. If applicable, provide recommendations on strengthening the restaurants substructure or providing a monitoring plan of the substructure.

The City entered a lease agreement with the State of Florida Division of State Lands (DSL) on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund (TIITF) on May 25, 2001 as a result of the approval of House Bill 891 by the Governor of the State of Florida. The law required that the City acquire ownership of the existing pier and restaurant within five years of the effective date of the act. The City acquired the pier and restaurant in September 2003 and January 2004 respectively to fulfill the initial requirements of the lease. The term of the lease is 35 years meaning the expiration date is May 2036. The lease specifically outlines that non-water-dependent activities may be included as the lease is for the purpose of furthering the City’s downtown redevelopment initiative. This is a deviation from standard SSL leases not implemented through a legislative act. The lease also requires that any modifications to the lease would require a legislative act.