At the May 8, 2024, City Council Meeting, City Engineer Kim Clayback provided insight into ongoing work in one of the City’s oldest areas. Each Ward in our City faces unique challenges, and Ward 4, from a Public Works perspective, has the highest number of lift stations. Public Works engineers are currently identifying the most aged lift stations and addressing associated issues. Lift station 3, located on Riverside Drive East, is one of the oldest lift stations in the City.
Originally built in the 1930s as a septic system discharging into the Manatee River, it remained in close proximity to the river even after being plugged in the 1950s. Recognizing that current best practice is to locate lift stations off of the water, the City applied for resiliency grants from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) several years ago to help fund parts of a larger project to demolish lift station 3 and expand lift station 13 which is located approximately three blocks to the north off of 2nd Avenue East. The project, estimated at $6 million, is anticipated to increase due to rising construction costs.
The resiliency grants that the DEP awarded to the City will help fund approximately $3 million towards construction expenses. Currently, City engineers and staff are working on the first phase of the project, preparing a basis of design report and determining the engineering mechanics of the newly expanded lift station, force main, rerouting of sanitary services, and rebuilding of the collection system. The difficultly is exacerbated by the need to relocate lines located on private property due to their age. The City will work with residents to relocate those lines to the City right-of-way’s for easier access in the future. The important take away is that the engineering, design, and funding procurement components are all work that takes place behind the scenes, and residents should not expect construction to begin immediately. In fact, because construction is the last phase, it will not begin for another two years or so.
I am confident that City staff can continue to steadily progress this project, along with several others throughout the City, as we work towards updating our Public Works department and infrastructure, even if it is not as fast as we all would prefer. However, what can happen quickly is winning the lottery. The winning ticket of this weekend's lottery was purchased in Ward 4's very own Rivers Edge Publix. This serves as a reminder that there is always room for hope for a more prosperous tomorrow in Bradenton!
