Manatee County beaches will soon receive a major renourishment with help from state and federal agencies.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, county commissioners approved using $6.18 million from the tourist development tax fund to start the renourishment project on Anna Maria Island Officials say the project will restore the islands\u2019 beaches to pre-storm conditions from before 2024\u2019s devastating hurricane season.<\/p>\n
Most of the funds will be reimbursed by state and federal officials, the county said.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring Idalia, Helene, Milton, Debby, we suffered tremendous losses of sand from our beaches,\u201d Director of Natural Resources Charlie Hunsicker said. \u201cThe federal government stands ready to help us in support of returning that sand to the beach.\u201d<\/p>\n
Construction is expected to begin in November and last through spring 2027. The renourishment will focus on the central beach segment from 79th Street North in Holmes Beach to Fifth Street South in Bradenton Beach. Areas of Cortez and Coquina beaches will also be restored.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe beach renourishment effort is part of Manatee County\u2019s ongoing commitment to protecting coastal infrastructure, supporting tourism, enhancing storm resilience and preserving the beaches that serve as both recreational destinations and natural barriers during coastal-storm events,\u201d a press release from the county said.<\/p>\n
Looking north from Bradenton Beach after Hurricane Helene on Oct. 2, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com Funding helps accelerate island renourishment project<\/p>\n
The county will immediately use the tourist development tax funds to coordinate construction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the State of Florida.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy advancing these funds now, Manatee County can coordinate beach-recovery efforts with our state and federal partners, reducing overall construction costs while accelerating restoration of some of our community\u2019s most valuable coastal assets,\u201d Hunsicker said in a press release.<\/p>\n
The renourishment combines two projects \u2014 the central beach segment, and the Cortez and Coquina beach areas that are supported by FEMA.<\/p>\n
Part of what commissioners approved Tuesday is an agreement between the county and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to combine the projects into one contract, which is expected to save the county at least $4 million in contractor costs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat allows us to not just renourish the beach, protect properties \u2026 but we have a lot of other great things coming up that will improve the beaches in the future,\u201d Commissioner Tal Siddique said.<\/p>\n
Commissioners unanimously approved the use of $6 million in tourist development tax funding while awaiting reimbursement from FEMA and other agencies, with Commissioner Jason Bearden absent.<\/p>\n
Tower 4 on Cortez Beach in Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island after Hurricane Milton on Oct. 11, 2024. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com <\/p>\n