City breaks ground on LaSalle Street Pump Station
Jacksonville city leaders joined representatives from Haskell and A&E Engineering in a ground breaking ceremony for the much-anticipated LaSalle Street pump station in San Marco on Wednesday, May 17.
“This Lasalle pump station will be an important tool in addressing the chronic flooding in this community and protecting these citizens and their property,” said City of Jacksonville Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Dr. Charles Moreland during the ceremony.
Once complete, the pump station will actively pump flood water in the area back out to the St. Johns River.
Funding for the pump station was provided in part by a $20 million grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protections Resilient Florida Grant Program and another $20 million matched by the City of Jacksonville. Moreland said the funds provided by the city derived from revenues from the local gas tax option and the Jobs for Jax program.
The duplex that once stood at 936 LaSalle Street has since been demolished after a February city council meeting approved the $900,000 right-of-way acquisition of the property in preparation for the pump station.
According to Haskell Water Division Leader Bryan Bedell, final pricing is currently under review for final approval by city council. This would be the overall project’s “guaranteed maximum price.” Once that is complete, the Haskell team will mobilize to begin excavation for the pump station, which will be built roughly 25 feet into the ground.
“The team will…[be] making sure we’re good neighbors to the adjacent property owners and try to work during working hours to make sure that’s not an impact to their lives,” he added.
The project is expected to take 18 months. With hurricane season approaching, Bedell added that steps are being taken to prepare the area as best as possible before the pump station is functional, including inspecting and clearing out sand and other debris and aggregate from the existing stormwater pipes.
The City issued a press release following the ceremony, stating the LaSalle Street pump station “will significantly reduce adverse flood impacts, which will result in cost-savings and allow residents and businesses within the basin to bounce back more quickly after storm events.”
By Michelle Leivas
Resident Community News
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