Advertisement

St. Pete Beach commits millions to infrastructure improvement projects

 
Published Sept. 27, 2017

ST. PETE BEACH — If residents here did not know it before, this month has proven it is not cheap to run a city, particularly one that hugs the shores of the Gulf of Mexico.

The City Commission this month approved its $20 million 2017-18 operating budget and left its property tax rate unchanged. Tuesday, it unanimously authorized spending $34.4 million dollars for specific projects ranging from liability insurance to law enforcement, seawall repairs, paving and drainage.

None of this spending was directed to specific cleanup costs of the city's near-miss with Hurricane Irma, which are still ongoing.

Many of the approved projects have been on the city's wish list for years. Others are newer and some are partly supported by grants and cost sharing with Pinellas County.

The most expensive on the list — and perhaps the most impactful both during construction and after completion — is the second and final phase of roadway and drainage improvements along Pass-a-Grille Way on the city's southern tip.

The $10.2 million project will improve Pass-a-Grille Way between First and 19th avenues and is expected to take about a year and a half to complete.

Nearly half the cost of the project will be covered by grants and cost-sharing from Pinellas County and the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

The effort to improve the roadway, which hugs the bay side of the island city, began two years ago and is now within months of completion.

The first phase, which extends from 19th Avenue to Cabrillo Avenue just south of The Don CeSar hotel, also is costing more than $10 million.

During past, present and future construction, the city's potable water lines, sanitary sewer lines, storm drainage system, reclaimed water lines and electrical and telephone lines are being repaired and in some cases rebuilt.

The projects call for complete reconstruction of the roadway subsurface, and installation of new curbs and top surface pavement.

For people living and working in the area, the project has meant long traffic delays, awkward detours, and temporarily blocked driveways.

Pass-a-Grille way is the only roadway to reach the northern parts of the city and points beyond.

During the second phase of the project, Beach Trolley buses will be unable to access the Pass-a-Grille area, according to City Manager Wayne Saunders.

A plan is being studied to provide a shuttle service for residents, workers and visitors transportation to the area under construction.

"I know that some businesses will be hurt, but this is exciting," said Commissioner Melinda Pletcher, who represents the Pass-a-Grille area.

Keep up with Tampa Bay’s top headlines

Subscribe to our free DayStarter newsletter

We’ll deliver the latest news and information you need to know every morning.

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

Explore all your options

When both projects are completed, the historic southern section of the city will have a brand new street less prone to flooding, new sidewalks and paver-designated crosswalks, new lighting and landscaping.

Meanwhile, the city is also beginning planning for burying utility lines along sections of Gulf Boulevard, a project that is funded by nearly $6 million in sales tax money collected by Pinellas County.

The commission approved a $538,900 engineering contract Tuesday that will design how electric, telephone and cable lines will be placed in underground conduits on Gulf Boulevard between 75th Avenue and the Pinellas Bayway.

Similarly, the commission approved a $64,670 contract to design and permit repairs to some of the city's seawalls identified as most in need of replacement or repair.

Another large ticket item approved by the commission was a $2.3 million contract with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office for law enforcement services in the coming year.

The 5 percent increase covers normal cost increases as well as paying for an extra deputy who will serve as a community policing officer.

"It will be a good benefit to have that extra body," said Saunders. "The priority will be on neighborhood issues and supervising law enforcement coverage on the public beaches. We think it is justifiable."