Waterfront park to receive $3 million in hurricane repairs and resilience

Although a temporary pause in work to repair hurricane damage at multiple waterfront city parks remains in effect, the Sarasota City Commission on April 20 approved a $3.3 million contract for repair and resiliency work at Ken Thompson Park on City Island.

Multiple restoration projects were halted by recommendation of former interim City Manager Dave Bullock as the partial government shutdown affected FEMA review processes, which would ultimately impact whether the city is reimbursed for the expense. The Ken Thompson Park contract was extended to Tampa Bay Construction Services for both parts of the work there. 

Approving the contract with Tampa Bay Construction now positions the project to begin shortly after the pause is lifted.

The $2.9 million in repairs will be paid for out of the city’s general fund with the anticipation, but not a guarantee, of FEMA reimbursement. At $391,000, the shoreline resiliency improvements will be covered by Florida Department of Environmental Protection grant funding.

The scope of the FEMA portion of the work includes repair or replacement of the following three storm-damaged fishing piers; installation of suitable fill material and revetment to protect sidewalk and road repairs along Ken Thompson Parkway; topsoil for fill and sod; and repair and replace aluminum guide rails along the Ken Thompson Park seawall. Also, repairs will be made to irrigation systems, replacement of damaged signage, installation of embankment fill at the shoreline to bring to pre-storm conditions, and repair and install new boardwalk sections, railing and pilings along the south side of the park. 

With the FDEP grant, work will include installing permeable pavers; installing Shoremax transition mats to provide ADA beach access; installing resilient landscaping along the beach shoreline; and installing compacted gravel, sod and rip-rap. 

Current estimates for other city remaining storm-related repairs are:

• Eloise Werlin Park: $1,045,477 (bid amount)
• Bayfront Park: $1,011,932 (bid amount)
• Whitaker Park: $1,023,736 (bid amount)
• Whitaker Park Fishing Pier: $610,000 (estimate)
• West End of Cleveland Drive: $427,530 (bid amount)
• Saprito Pier: $1,667,471 (bid amount)
• Bird Key Park: $2,254,200.00 (estimate)
• Bay Island Park: $1,220,938 (bid amount)
• Indian Beach Park: $1,473,200 (estimate)
• Citywide Sidewalks: $18,865 (bid amount)
• David Cohen Park: $400,000 (rough estimate)
• Hart's Landing (no estimate available)