The city of Lawtey in Bradford County is one of 21 Florida communities impacted by Hurricane Irma that will be getting more than $84 million from the state for infrastructure improvement projects. Lawtey’s share will be $867,600.
The funding comes from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s (DEO) Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program, which helps communities fund infrastructure restoration and improvement projects in areas impacted by disasters.
Governor Ron DeSantis made the announcement Thursday in the Florida Keys, which will be getting the bulk of the funding.
“The recovery of Florida communities remains a high priority for my administration, especially in the Florida Keys, which are still recovering from Hurricane Irma.” said DeSantis. “We have worked tirelessly to get recovery dollars to all areas impacted by Hurricane Irma and will continue to do so as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
Lawtey’s funding will go toward improving and updating a stormwater drainage system that flows into Alligator Creek.
The other infrastructure projects are:
- City of Key West ($1,781,450) – to repair a wastewater aerial crossing in the community.
- City of Marathon ($6,259,423) – to repair and elevate electronic components for wastewater remote vacuum pump stations and chemical storage areas in the community.
- Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority – ($30,678,750) – to fund the rehabilitation and improvement of the Stock Island Reverse Osmosis facility which provides a critical and reliable source of water for residents during an emergency.
- City of Bonita Springs ($11,021,919) – to repair a stormwater drainage system that experienced extensive flooding during Hurricane Irma.
- City of Edgewater ($1,821,734) – to repair damaged and restricted drainage canals in the Hart Avenue Draining Basin.
- City of Fellsmere ($825,000) – to repair a culvert drainage system in order to lessen the impacts of future flooding.
- City of Hawthorne ($1,165,000) – to expand an existing stormwater retention pond.
- City of Homestead ($4,519,000) – to improve potable water facilities in the Avocado Village Neighborhood.
- City of Riviera Beach ($1,900,800) – to repair and relocate critical wastewater infrastructure pipelines.
- City of Sarasota ($250,000) – to improve critical emergency power sources to lift stations.
- City of St. Cloud ($2,097,088) – to repair a damaged drainage pipe along Illinois Avenue.
- City of Tamarac ($353,000) – to provide critical emergency power sources to lift stations.
- City of West Melbourne ($2,266,191) – to improve and replace damaged curbs, culverts and driveway aprons in the Melbourne Estates neighborhood.
- Collier County ($591,374) – to improve a storm water drainage system to alleviate household flooding.
- Dade City ($3,418,599) – to repair the drainage and water storage system for the Dade Oaks neighborhood. This region experienced major flooding due to Hurricane Irma and subsequent major rain events.
- Everglades City ($295,949) – to repair damaged equipment at a municipal wastewater treatment facility.
- Hendry County ($4,297,112) – to repair the Four Corners storm water drainage system to alleviate flooding.
- Lee County ($7,119,293.14) – to remove debris in the area and conduct drainage repair and sidewalk replacement for the San Carlos Park community.
- Miami-Dade County ($2,100,000) – to relocate a damaged wastewater lift station to improve an existing sewer system.
- Town of Medley ($689,336) – to repair a failing seawall that is adjacent to a road at a retirement community.
“The Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program is just one avenue we have to help local communities rebuild and prepare for future storms,” said DEO Executive Director Ken Lawson. “With today's announcement, our team at DEO have awarded nearly $300 million to Florida homeowners and communities across the state.”
Lawson said the DEO has also awarded $31 million in awards to nearly 900 Florida homeowners through the Rebuild Florida Housing Repair and Replacement Program, made $140 million available for the construction of affordable workforce housing, and awarded more than $44 million to Hurricane Irma-impacted communities across the state to buy homes damaged by the storm in high risk flood areas through the Rebuild Florida Voluntary Homebuyer Program.
Brendan Rivers can be reached at brivers@wjct.org, 904-358-6396 or on Twitter at @BrendanRivers.
