News

Dear MKA Member,

 

We’d like to update you on some important recent developments regarding the beach nourishment project. On September 10, the County Commissioners unanimously approved extending the beach nourishment project to include the homeowners just north of Blind Pass Park in the currently approved project. For those familiar with shoreline markers, the project will be extended from R175 to R173.5 with a taper to R173 so the overall project that previously 1.6 miles is expanded by 0.4 miles. R markers are 1000 feet apart.

 

The addition will add protection to the road at Middle Beach where it washed out with Irma.  Estimated cost is an additional $1.6 million. The addition from R-175 to 173.5 will be a 40 ft. beach berm. This is 10 feet less than the rest of the project to avoid the hardbottom impacts in that area to limit costs. This brings the projected costs of Sarasota County’s portion of the project to $10.2 million dollars with homeowners’ portion in the early estimates being 20% of the total. We continue to remind staff and Commissioners that cost was and is of upmost importance to homeowners. 

 

The homeowners’ portion of funding for the project through a Municipal Services Benefit Unit (MSBU) is still under development. Staff shared last week they anticipate it will take about two more months to provide details now that the scope of this project is defined. Our understanding is that only homes in the nourishment zone are included in this MSBU. We will continue to work with the County and share updates as they unfold.

 

The next important steps involve establishing the Erosion Control Lineand securing temporary construction easements from Gulf front owners. There will be a public workshop on Wednesday, October 9th at 5PM-6:15PM at the South County Administration building (4000 S Tamiami Trail, Venice) to discuss the Erosion Control Line for Sarasota County so mark your calendars. Those unable to attend can tune in using the project website link that will also be outlining the updates elaborated in this note. Go to: https://www.scgov.net/government/planning-and-development-services/manasota-key-beach-nourishment  You may have to copy and paste this link into your browser.

A notary will be present the evening of the meeting for anyone wishing to turn in their temporary construction easements on October 9th.

 

Meanwhile, the project now goes out for bid with an approval likely in November. As of this week, the engineer for the project now believes the project startis likely to be January 2020to allow for the additional permitting so please understand there are still many moving parts and this date is their best estimate. 

 

A second related but separate proposal requested by a second group of Gulf front homeowners to further explore a truck haul project that is targeted up to R169 was also approved. This is needed due to different permitting processes and time constraints. A project timeline for this portion is expected to take +/- 24 months. Staff and the consultant are directed to prepare new analysis of costs / challenges for the 30-foot addition recommended by the engineer as most practical to be presented to the Commissioners. Of particular interest was the news that this can be a revision to the joint project application, thus reducing some of the permitting and allowing the project to qualify for state and county funds. These otherwise seemingly carefree summer months were anything but relaxed.

 

Manasota Key Association