Punta Gorda to discuss proposal of new downtown and historic district flooding study

Reporter: Camila Pereira Writer: Nicholas Karsen
Published: Updated:

Punta Gorda has been known to be susceptible to the impacts of hurricanes, dealing with several storms in the span of three years. All of which have caused severe flooding damage to multiple businesses and neighborhoods.

Punta Gorda’s city council is expected to discuss the proposal for a new flooding study during its Tuesday workshop meeting.

The downtown and historic district has always been caught in the crosshairs of heavy rain events.

Most recently, hurricanes Ian, Idalia, Helene and Milton, even tropical storm Debby, have all brought inches of flooding due to high tides and rain, and caused several feet of storm surge, crippling the downtown and historic district well after their initial impacts along the Gulf coast.

The city’s Department of Public Works’ proposed plan is to conduct a new survey to check on the downtown drainage system and understand the causes of the flooding to ultimately find solutions to the issue.

In the map provided below, the department outlined the area proposed for this project study. Focusing on Charlotte Harbor and the Peace River to Railroad Corridor and Tidal Ditch, and from Cooper Street near Marion and Olympia avenues to Maud Street.

City of Punta Gorda Downtown area may soon be studied for its flooding problems (From: City of Punta Gorda).

According to the department’s presentation, it states the project will be split into three phases.

First, it plans to conduct that study to compile and evaluate the data. Second comes engineering the designs to get permits and then get bidding assistance. Lastly, it plans to engineer the record services during construction to get those improvements moving.

The city council workshop meeting is expected to start at 5:30 p.m.

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