The Beach Outfall Pipe Removal Project has been a topic of concern since the State of Florida instructed, they be removed as far back as fourteen years ago. The project was ignored for over a decade. A new Council in 2020 voted on a referendum of change took on the task, developing plans, design, and beginning work on the project's infrastructure.
Council has continued to improve the project and engaged with residents who had concerns with placement of the pump stations and generators at beach ends which would interfere with views of the gulf. After working with the residents’ new designs improve the beach vistas by 80% and as much as can be moved underground has been relocated.
A project that would have cost exponentially "less" if addressed more than a decade ago now comes with a bigger price tag, north of $80 million. City Council is not deterred and voted to proceed with the best plan rather than have the quality of the project be handcuffed by cost. They directed the City Manager to move forward and secure as many sources of federal, state, and county subsidies and grants as possible which could bring taxpayer cost down to just $12 Million.
Read More HERE:
https://www.newsbreak.com/news/3343929370174-city-leaders-decide-not-to-scale-back-on-critical-stormwater-management-project-in-naples