{"id":442624,"date":"2026-10-30T15:26:15","date_gmt":"2026-10-30T15:26:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/442624\/"},"modified":"2026-10-30T15:26:15","modified_gmt":"2026-10-30T15:26:15","slug":"miami-beach-anti-flooding-project-continues-despite-lawsuit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/442624\/","title":{"rendered":"Miami Beach anti-flooding project continues despite lawsuit"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"View<\/p>\n

View of workers and heavy construction machinery working on the West Avenue Phase II Neighborhood Improvements Project in Miami Beach on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Pedro Portal<\/p>\n

pportal@miamiherald.com<\/p>\n

Construction crews are continuing work on a major anti-flooding project in the West Avenue neighborhood of Miami Beach despite a lawsuit filed by the contractor, which wants to quit the project.<\/p>\n

Earlier this month, Ric-Man Construction Florida sued Miami Beach, saying delays caused by the city and other complications have cost the company nearly $21 million, according to a claim summary attached to the lawsuit. The company is hoping to recover millions from the city for its work and expenses so far for improvements to West Avenue north of 14th Street.<\/p>\n

While the city hasn\u2019t formally responded to the complaint, \u201cresidents can be assured that day\u2011to\u2011day construction work will continue without interruption,\u201d according to a statement<\/a> shared by city spokeswoman Melissa Berthier.<\/p>\n

The West Avenue project was designed to reduce long-term flooding risks in the neighborhood, which is among the lowest-lying areas in Miami Beach, the statement said.<\/p>\n

It was nearly a decade ago that Ric-Man agreed to install new storm drain systems, work on a filter and pump system to discharge the new systems into Biscayne Bay, and raise roads in the area, according to the complaint.<\/p>\n

Ric-Man was scheduled to start construction in December 2017, with a completion date in August 2019, its complaint says. However, the company says the city failed to coordinate with the property owners adjacent to the roadways being raised, and construction wasn\u2019t able to start on time.<\/p>\n

Now, the estimated completion date isn\u2019t until early 2029 \u2014 \u201ca result of some function or failure to act that is within the city\u2019s control and responsibility,\u201d the complaint said.<\/p>\n

City Attorney Ricardo J. Dopico told the Miami Herald that the city doesn\u2019t comment on pending litigation.<\/p>\n

\"View View of workers and heavy construction machinery working on the West Avenue Phase II Neighborhood Improvements Project in Miami Beach on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com <\/p>\n

One problem? A primary piece of the project involves Ric-Man replacing an old stormwater drainage system with a new one that empties into Biscayne Bay. But the company ran into unauthorized drainage pipes hooked up by local property owners, the complaint said.<\/p>\n

Ric-Man cannot connect the illegal pipes to the new system, and it also can\u2019t remove them without an alternative solution, the complaint says. If it did, residents\u2019 yards and homes would flood every time it rains heavily or the tides rise.<\/p>\n

The company accuses the city of dropping the ball, allowing construction to begin without checking for or dealing with the hidden connections and not providing a clear plan on how to resolve the issue.<\/p>\n

While the dispute is being worked out in court, Ric-Man is required to continue the work without interruptions, according to the city\u2019s statement.<\/p>\n

\"View View of workers and heavy construction machinery working on the West Avenue Phase II Neighborhood Improvements Project in Miami Beach on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com <\/p>\n

The next portion of the project was scheduled to begin Monday on Lincoln Court north of Lincoln Road. Workers and heavy construction machinery could be seen operating Tuesday on the neighborhood project.<\/p>\n


\n \"Profile
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