The project will turn the former Pinecrest golf course into a regional stormwater facility.
LARGO, Fla. — With nearly a million dollars to spend, Largo is looking to invest in flood mitigation. It’s an issue that became catastrophic during 2024’s busy hurricane season.
The City of Largo said thanks to state funding, they can now launch their Pinecrest Stormwater Conservation Area Project which is meant to reduce flooding in the Medical Arts District and nearby neighborhoods.
“As we were targeting the issue, stormwater drainage came up time and time again. This particular project the Pinecrest stormwater project will solve a lot of this issues,” Rep. Berny Jacques said.
The project will turn the former Pinecrest golf course into a regional stormwater facility.
“The city bought it from a property owner with plans to build a passive park that also serves as stormwater capacity in that watershed,” Largo Mayor Woody Brown said.
Brown said this is the largest stormwater project that the city has ever undertaken.
“We never had as much rain as we did during Milton ever in the history of our city. Some of these homes are 20, 30 feet above sea level but there was just so much water so we will have a lot of capacity to hold that water if Taylor Lake ever floods in the future,” Brown said.
HCA Florida Largo hospital flooded during Hurricane Milton, along with a nearby neighborhood. McKay Creek runs between the two.
The city said this project will improve water quality in McKay Creek and reduce flooding in nearby neighborhoods which Daniel Ruffner is in favor of.
“This is not a flood zone and no we have never seen flooding like that before. I hope I never do again,” Ruffner said.
Brown said the state funding will support the design and permitting phase of the project, but the city is pursuing additional funding to complete the project. Residents will have a chance to weigh in later this year.