by Bradley Parsons
Staff Writer
In an effort to keep the new County Courthouse construction on schedule, the City has agreed to pay up front what it claims is BellSouth’s fair share for relocating underground utility lines.
According to a memorandum of understanding the City will “initially incur all costs and expenses” to move thousands of feet of communication lines, reserving the right to seek BellSouth’s reimbursement.
Courthouse project director Chris Boruch said the agreement cleared the way for City-hired contractors to begin a $3 million utility relocation. The two-month project will transfer a network of utility and communication lines from underneath Adams Street to trenches dug under surrounding sidewalks.
The City will share the project’s cost with JEA and private utility firms including Comcast, MCI Worldcom and Epic Communications. Boruch said the firms are required by City ordinance to pay for their lines’ relocation. However, BellSouth has so far balked at sharing the expense.
In a March 28 letter to Public Works Director Lynn Westbrook, BellSouth compared its case to a Pinellas County suit said that the County violated the utility’s property rights by requiring payment.The City countered with an ordinance, which states specifically that a City permit does not create a property right.
Boruch said protracted negotiations with BellSouth would have delayed the project, possibly pushing downtown street closures past the summer’s end.
“If we waited until this thing got settled, negotiated and litigated; it probably would have delayed the project,” Boruch said. “We want to settle this thing as amicably as possible, but we have a schedule to keep, and it’s unfortunate they’re interpreting the provision different than the city attorney.”
Boruch said work should begin in mid-to-late July and run through the summer.