City News

Hurricane Season 2024 Recovery Updates

After a busy Hurricane season in 2024, the City of Safety Harbor’s recovery efforts continue. City Staff are working diligently both internally and with State and Federal agencies to return our City to normal.

Below, you can find details on the various recovery efforts:

Pier

  • Working with State of Florida on demolition/salvage scope and schedule.
  • Planning to edit construction bid documents once demo/salvage plan is finalized.
  • Once the demo/salvage plan is finalized, and the construction bid documents are ready, bids will go out for a time certain.
  • Once the bid process is complete, they will be evaluated, and a contractor will be selected and brought to City Commission for approval.
  • Project timeline for the construction of a new pier will be 12-18 months from the time construction starts.
  • Edits to the already approved design plans could add to the reconstruction timeline, prohibit FEMA reimbursement opportunities, and be limited due to the space available within Old Tampa Bay.

Boardwalk

  • The boardwalk has been evaluated by a third-party engineer assigned by the City’s insurance carrier.
  • Staff is awaiting that engineers report so we can then put together a repair plan for the boardwalk, if needed.
  • Staff is also waiting to receive a scope and estimate cost of work needed for project completion. 

Marina

  • Working with State of Florida on demolition/salvage scope and schedule. Awaiting final confirmation that this scope will be included in the scope for the State contractor.
  • Planning to edit construction bid documents once demo/salvage plan is finalized.
  • Once the demo/salvage plan is finalized, and the construction bid documents are ready, bids will go out for a time certain.
  •  Once the bid process is complete, they will be evaluated, and a contractor will be selected and brought to City Commission for approval.
  • Project timeline for the construction of a new pier will be 12-18 months from the time construction starts.

Marshall Street Playground Swings Replacement

  • The three bays of wings were damaged due to a fallen pine tree. A contractor has provided the cost to replace and is currently going through the permitting process. Once proper permits are attained, the replacement will be scheduled for completion. Time frame is currently undetermined.

Daisy Douglas Playground Repairs

  • Staff is working with contractors to obtain a price to repair the stairs on the larger play feature and damaged bench due to a very large, downed oak tree. Time frame is currently undetermined.

Insurance Update

  • The City meets with insurance reps frequently.
  • A list of all damaged facilities was completed.
  • An adjuster has made several on-site visits.
  • Staff is awaiting feedback from our insurance carrier on next steps.

FEMA Update

  • Currently working on reimbursement requests for five names storms: Ian, Idalia, Debby, Helene, and Milton.
  • Finance has started to meet periodically with our reimbursement reps at the State and Federal levels.
  • The City has started working with the State’s consultant, Deloitte, for reimbursement requests and processing for Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. The consultant is on-site a minimum once per week. The City must continue working on Hurricane Debby.
  • The City Commission has approved agreements to pursue FEMA reimbursement.
  • The City is finalizing the receipt of FEMA reimbursement money for expenses incurred during Hurricane Ian in 2022.

Sidewalk Removal/Replacement

  • The City has contracted for removal and replacement of damaged sections of sidewalk due to Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. Damages occurred due to falling trees, uprooted trees, and washouts due to flooding. The damages have been City-wide with the contractor currently working on completing the list of repairs.

Debris Removal

  • The first week in January, the City successfully disposed of all materials that were stored at the Public Works Yard. This material included vegetative debris, C&D, and white goods. Public Works staff hauled away the debris to final disposal sites. This concluded the use of the Public Works Yard as a temporary disaster debris site. Staff are awaiting final inspection of the cleared site by FDEP for proper permit closure.

North Bay Hills Blvd.

  • The northbound roadway at North Bay Hills Blvd., north of Mandarin Terrace, eroded during Hurricane Milton. This was caused by high water in the creek and the velocity of water flow. The water destroyed the existing headwall, sidewalk, curb, guardrail, and roadway at the stormwater culvert location.  
  • City Commission approved the emergency culvert repair on Nov. 4, 2024, for $724,330.  
  • Work is complete.

Swan Lake Weir Structure

  • The weir structure at the east end of Swan Lake (North Bay Hills Subdivision) failed during Hurricane Milton. The storm destroyed the weir, compromised water and sewer utilities, as well as draining the lake.   
  • The City is working with USACOE, FDEP, and FEMA on the replacement of this weir structure. The City discovered that the weir structure was previously designated as a dam in the State of Florida dam registry, thus the reason for involvement of the Army Corps of Engineers. The City hired Kimley-Horn to develop emergency repair plans. Plans are not yet completed for agency approval. Estimated cost, over $1M.

Mullet Creek at Meldrum St.

  • Mullet Creek at Meldrum St. is a County owned parcel. The creek embankment failed during Hurricane Milton with the concrete mats sliding into the creek flow line as well as sediment building up around the failed concrete mats. This failure resulted in roadway and guardrail erosion toward the east end of Meldrum St.  Pinellas County does not have any plans on creek improvements or repairs at this time.
  • The City is working with the County to permit a Coty emergency repair to the section of creek that is eroding the roadway and compromising the City’s utilities. Estimated cost, $500,000. Meldrum St. is a dead-end roadway, so the City must protect the access for property owners and emergency services.

North Bayshore Dr./Grand Central Ave. Wetland Restoration

  • The wetland located at the intersection of North Bayshore Dr. and Grand Central Ave. was destroyed by the back-to-back hurricanes. The City received a permit exemption from FDEP for the restoration of this wetland. A contractor has removed the invasive and/or damaged plants from this right-of-way. They are awaiting delivery of the approved plants as shown on the City’s FDEP submittal.

Country Villas Pond Restoration

  • Country Villas Pond outfall/headwall was eroded during Hurricane Milton due to the volume and velocity of water moving through the system. The pond, headwall, and associated erosion has been repaired. This project is complete.

Are we missing something? Do you still have questions? Please, email communications@cityofsafetyharbor.com.