ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Living near the water is one of the best parts of calling St. Petersburg home, but keeping that water from spilling into the streets is becoming a tougher challenge.
In response to rising sea levels and more frequent flooding, the city is launching a major new effort to check and fix its shoreline defenses. Officials are calling it the Seawall Master Plan, and they are asking residents to help shape it.
The city owns a massive system of seawalls designed to stop erosion and keep floodwaters at bay. This new plan is about taking a hard look at those walls to see which ones are holding up and which ones are failing. It isn’t just about pouring more concrete, though.
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The project aims to use “green” solutions, like natural drainage and plants, to help absorb water and protect the coast in a way that is good for the environment. The ultimate goal is to create a long-term schedule for repairs and figure out how to pay for the work before it is too late.
City leaders emphasize that this plan needs to reflect the people who actually live here. They are asking property owners and neighbors to share what they have seen and what they worry about most regarding local flooding. The feedback collected will help decide which projects get done first and how the shoreline will look in the future.
There are a few easy ways to get involved without leaving your house. The city is hosting two virtual meetings where you can learn more and ask questions.
The first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 6 p.m. If you can’t make that one, a second meeting will happen on Tuesday, Feb. 17, also at 6 p.m.
For those who prefer to give feedback on their own time, there is an online community survey and an interactive map available now. You can find the meeting links, the survey, and all the details at www.stpete.org/CitywideSeawallStudy.
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