- February 6, 2025
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After two hurricanes in one fiscal year, Matthew in October, 2016, and Irma in September, 2017, city officials are hoping for a quiet 2018 to help catch up on fixing damage.
“We’re hoping for no hurricanes,” said Public Works Director Gabriel Menendez.
The Quality of Life Advisory Board received an update on repairs to the fishing pier and boat launches at Cassen Park at their Feb. 1 meeting from Menendez and City Manager Joyce Shanahan.
The good news for those waiting to launch a boat from the park is that the boat ramps and adjacent docks are expected to be operational by the Feb. 10 weekend, barring weather delays.
The bad news for those who want walk out onto the fishing pier on the southern side of the Granada Bridge is that it won’t be open until the summer of 2019. It’s going to be done in conjunction with the construction of a new floating boat dock and a breakwater, located south of the pier.
The fishing pier on the north side, extending from Bailey Riverbridge Gardens, has been repaired. The southern fishing pier was older than the northern side, and not as securely installed, Shanahan told the board. It was destroyed by the surge caused by Hurricane Irma.
Many docks have not been repaired in the area because contractors have long waiting lists.
Originally proposed by Ormond MainStreet, the floating boat dock has been approved by the City Commission. Officials expect it to attract visiting boaters who will patronize city businesses. There will be no hookups and overnight stays will not be allowed.
Menendez said the city plans to request bids from contractors for the breakwater, floating boat dock and fishing pier repairs this October. He then expects construction would take six to eight months.
PROJECT COSTS
The cost of the new floating boat dock and breakwater, including design, is projected to be $1,322,000, with $254,000 coming from the Florida Inland Navigation District, $400,000 from reserves in Community Redevelopment Area business taxes and $668,000 from the city’s general reserve.
“We continue to politely pound them about payment.”
JOYCE SHANAHAN, on FEMA reimbursements
The purpose of the breakwater will be to provide a safe area for visiting boats at the planned floating dock. But it should also help protect the fishing pier and boat launches from rough water and surges during storms, Menendez said. Shanahan said the Ormond Beach Yacht Club, which extends into the river, was not damaged by water surge during Irma and some think it was because an oyster bed protected it.
The cost of rebuilding the fishing pier will be $1,135,000 and it will be reimbursed by FEMA, in addition to insurance payments.
However, FEMA reimbursement checks are not quick to arrive. Shanahan said the city is still waiting on $6 million from FEMA to pay for Hurricane Matthew damages. She said FEMA reviews payments on both the federal and state level, and they have had reports of FEMA staffers getting the flu this season.
“We call them every day,” she said. “We continue to politely pound them about payment.”
Also planned for Cassen Park is a redesign for the bait shop, which was flooded during Hurricane Irma. One idea has been to move both the bait shop and bathroom to higher ground. This would be a separate project from current repairs and FEMA funds would be sought.
