Work has started on Phase 1 of the long-awaited MalaCompra Basin Water Quality Enhancement project in northeastern Flagler County.
That project will accomplish two goals: ease flooding on the northern barrier island, and prevent untreated stormwater and septic tank effluent from making its way into the Intracoastal and ultimately places like Pellicer Creek headwaters – a pristine estuarine system.
The first step of the project is to clear some trees in the Hammock for the construction of a 60-inch drainage outfall pipe along Bay Drive and State Road A1A. This work will take about two weeks.
“We appreciate everyone’s patience with us as we work on this project,” said County Engineer Faith Alkhatib. “We will do our best to minimize the impact of the daily life of our residents.”
Masci Construction Inc., a Port Orange company, was hired for the Phase 1 work, which will take nearly a year to complete at a cost of $3.5 million. It is the “backbone system.”
Phase 2 will be paid through a grant that includes Bay Drive Park improvements and pond. It is out for construction bid.
The $6 million Phase 3, which includes the side street collection laterals, is almost fully funded through a Florida Department of Transportation grant for the 2019-20 fiscal year. It is currently under design.
“I understand there have been problems in this area for decades,” said Commission Chair Greg Hansen. “Getting this fixed is really a health and safety issue for our residents.”
Assisting, the St. Johns River Water Management District in 2016 awarded Flagler County a $500,000 grant as a Rural Economic Development Initiative cost-share program project. The District decades ago placed the project in its Northern Coastal Basin Surface Water Improvement Management plan.
The Flagler County Commission tracked the problems for many years, and in 2010 agreed to make the project a top legislative priority. The County has spent more than $6 million combined on the design and permitting – through the St. Johns River Water Management District and the Army Corps of Engineers, as well as the acquisition of property for the holding pond and outfall easements.
DoubleGator says
As a homeowner in Marineland Acres for over 25 years, this has been a long uphill march. Our thanks to the Commissioners and staff. With a salute to Administrator Coffee. This represents 10 years of work. Kudos for figuring a way to assemble funding. Former Commissioners Holland and Meeker and current Commissioner Hansen thanks!
mark101 says
Finally our special tax assessment (for marineland acres lot owners, which includes Sea Colony that are assessed from $30.00- up to $450.00 per lot ) will be put to use. Its about time;
Marineland Acres Res says
Agreed – long overdue.
The County has been studying this issue w/ engineer designs dating back to the late 90s. 2 important things to remember: The County approved/permitted the infill of the historic drainage canals w/out any compensating storage or conveyances. The County is also responsible for the poor maintenance of the existing drainage system. Our drainage issues are worse than ever now due in large part to these 2 issues. Now we the taxpayer pay for the poor planning.
And the big question we should have is why did the County turn down the ~ $10M CDBG – Disaster Recovery monies from Hurricane Matthew it was offered. Those monies could have been used in part to pay for a large part of this project so the special assessment did not.