Bayfront Park marina seawall to be rebuilt

Work is expected to soon begin in demolishing and replacing the seawall along the marina portion of Bayfront Park. 

During its the May 4 meeting, the Sarasota City Commission approved via consent agenda a contract with Earth Tech Enterprises to replace and raise to 4 feet above sea level approximately 1,500 linear feet of bulkhead. The goal of the project is to implement citywide resilience measures at Bayfront Park through a bulkhead replacement that raises the elevation of the bulkhead cap and surrounding upland areas.

Work includes, but is not limited to the bulkhead, bay walk sidewalk, potable water services, landscaping and irrigation and electrical systems services. The total cost of the project is $5.57 million, none of which is paid for with city tax dollars.

Courtesy image

The city has received a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Resilient Florida grant of $3.59 million and a West Coastal Inland Navigation District (WCIND) grant of $500,000 to apply toward the resilience initiatives.

Time, however, is of the essence. The WCIND grant deadline is Sept. 30, 2026, and must be applied to construction work invoices. The FDEP Resilient Florida Grant deadline for completion of the work is June 30, 2026, and requires an as-built survey to demonstrate the project is complete to be submitted prior to the FDEP prior to the deadline. Federal authorization for the seawall scope of work expires on July 27, 2026. 

Photo by Andrew Warfield

Hours of construction are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends and federal holidays 

Earth Tech Enterprises was the lowest bidder among eight contractors in two rounds of bids. Formal sealed bids were opened on Feb. 26, with Earth Tech Enterprises submitting the lowest bid of $6.02 million. After paring the project, Earth Tech remained the lowest bid.