TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. — The city of Treasure Island announced a proposed plan earlier this year to elevate the entire island. Project leaders met with contractors and engineers to discuss the proposal to change requirements for new developments.
Some contractors said this is going to be a huge expense, but the city said this is necessary, so the island doesn't go underwater.
To keep Treasure Island afloat, the city is proposing big changes.
“Changing how we develop private property, changing how we build roadways, changing how we design seawall, it's pretty much protecting us for the century moving forward,” Justin Keller with Advance Engineering and Design said.
Almost every seat in this meeting was filled with neighbors and architects like Hani Matta.
“It will take a lot of compromises between what they want and what reality can give you,” Matta said.
These changes are not required for current developments unless you are making major renovations. The city is proposing every new development use fill to elevate their base floor in some cases front yards of homes.
“That bottom floor you use for parking or storage that would be elevating to 7 point 6,” Keller said.
“When you have obstruction in one area, the water diverts to the neighboring and when you have the water diverging the water force increases on these houses which is already designed for certain water force,” structure engineer Koly Elkhouly said.
Developers also discussed issues for neighbors and their pockets.
“It will affect the cost of every building we are doing because if you have to raise the ground, the seawall and everything it will have a great effect,” Matta said.
“I think the cost when you compare it to how generally expensive it is to build in a coastal environment based on the current codes in place, we do not think this will keep development away from Treasure Island or make it less attractive,” Keller said.
The city said it does not expect there to be an increase in the millage rate for elevation projects. The city plans to apply for federal grants to help with the cost when it comes to elevating roads.
This project has not been approved by the city commission. Commissioners will begin reviewing the plan in August.