Drainage project tops SKA agenda

Topping the agenda at Thursday’s Siesta Key Association (SKA) monthly meeting will be an update by Sarasota County Project Manager Alex Boudreau on the Beach Road Drainage Improvements Project.

The drainage project has been delayed by up to a month due to September's heavy rainfall, which left portions of the construction site flooded. The county is exploring several options to drain the standing water and will likely settle on a plan to treat the water on site before pumping it into the Gulf of Mexico. The cost has yet to determined for the water removal, although Sarasota County Construction Services Manager Mike Elfers said the plan would likely cost "hundreds of thousands" of dollars.

Also up for discussion Thursday will be the controversial plan to dredge Big Pass for Lido Beach sand. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently publicly unveiled its plans at a Sarasota County Coastal Advisory Committee meeting. The Army’s plans, presented by Project Manager Milan Mora, include three controversial erosion control jetties, known as groins.

Residents and area lawmakers have raised concerns in the past about the unknown effects the groins may have on Siesta Beach.

The Siesta Key Association meeting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m., Oct. 3, at St. Boniface Church, 5615 Midnight Pass, Siesta Key.

Residents can call 364-4880 for more information.

Contact Nolan Peterson at [email protected]