WSP Outlines the City Stormwater Repair Process

Senior Project Engineer Greg Corning introduced his team responsible for designing our city stormwater repairs. The team highlighted their drainage projects currently progressing in the Florida Keys and in Monroe County.

Meeting participants emphasized that repairs focus upon common monthly water drainage rather than general climate change sea level change. “Can’t the city keep the water off the streets?”

Greg pointed out that the project should at least account for some amount of future sea level rise, and street height adjustments designed into the project can be flexible depending upon how much funding the city commits. I’d highlight that if sea level continues to rise, every street in our city will need new drainage designs.

Neighborhood president Kathy Garchow pointed out that salt water on the streets of some neighborhoods may be mitigated by the upgraded outfalls/new check valves to be installed later this year.

Everyone agreed that the monthly neighborhood flooding during rainstorms might be solved by identifying a “level of service” classified as the amount of rainfall expected to occur within a 5, 10, or a 25 year period. The higher the years/level of service, the bigger the pumps, and the higher the cost. We all asked to see WSP’s idea for a minimalistic concept to remove rain water. I specifically asked the Senior Engineer to examine the stormwater pump station on 3rd Avenue in Pass-a-grille as an example of a minimalistic but effective concept.

The general process over a 5-6 year timeline will include the collection of geologic data in each area of repair during July followed by an initial community engagement meeting at City Hall the last week of July, either the 28th or the 30th. The team will then narrow the scope of the design and reengage the community in October 2026. A 30% design will be ready by January 2027 so that federal and state grants can be submitted and a third round of community engagement will occur. By spring, the 30% design will be ready for contractor bids.

Some construction might begin in 2027, but most of next year will be about getting bids, choosing a contractor, finalizing city funding, and completing the final portion of the design. By 2028, we should be fully engaged in construction for a several year duration.

There are a number of city-wide locations where stormwater drainage has been implemented. For example, we are now repairing Boca Ciega Drive north of 75th Avenue up towards Blind Pass, including city road improvements and adding stormwater drains. Next year I expect we will repair the drainage in Pass-a-grille and eventually repair the seawall. Just like every city, we have funded these large projects of city roads and other assets through a combination of fees, taxes, grants, and debt (state loans and municipal bonds).

We are finally on our way to much better design to repair our flooded streets.