The Lee County Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to award a $258.5 million contract to Poole & Kent Company of Florida for a reconstruction of the Fort Myers Beach Water Reclamation Facility.
The contract for the new wastewater treatment center off island on Pine Ridge Road, will cover the demolition, reconstruction, and upgrades to improve capacity, efficiency, and resiliency of the facility, the county announced.
The project will include hazard mitigation and flood-proofing elements to make the facility more resilient to coastal flooding, ensuring continued and reliable wastewater treatment for the Town of Fort Myers Beach and nearby unincorporated areas of Lee County.
The commissioners authorized an additional $33.6 million for contingencies.
The Miami-based firm’s bid was far lower than the only other bid received by the county for the work. The other bid was supplied by a North Carolina firm at a cost of $347.8 million.
In 2024, the county awarded a $14.5 million design contract for the project to CDM Smith, Inc.
According to description of the project from the county, the construction contract will restore and enhance the Fort Myers Beach Water Reclamation Facility, expanding the capacity and making the facility more resilient to coastal flooding. The project includes the demolition of several buildings and rehabilitation of the facility, which is needed due to diminished treatment capacity, aging infrastructure and damage sustained during Hurricane Ian.
After Hurricane Ian, the water facility suffered severe damage due to flooding causing saltwater intrusion and submersion to many of the facility’s buildings, according to the county’s description of the work needed.
Resiliency upgrades will include elevating much of the equipment and buildings to reduce future flood damage. The upgraded facility will meet the requirements of advanced wastewater treatment standards required by the Clean Waterways Act of 2020.
Funding for the project includes a mix of federal and state grants and State Revolving Fund (SRF) loans. Construction is anticipated to begin in March with an estimated project completion in 2030.