Photo by Cameron Healy
Gulfport will reinforce approximately 180 feet of shoreline at Veterans Park with 110 oyster reef balls, six tons of recycled shell, and native wetland plants through a $92,889 environmental restoration project approved by City Council July 21.
The project will reduce wave energy approaching the park, stabilize sediment, improve water quality, and create wildlife habitat. The City accepted up to $46,429 from the Tampa Bay Environmental Restoration Fund and will provide a required $46,460 match through volunteer labor, donated services, and existing employee work.
Volunteers Will Limit City Expense
Gulfport expects the project to have little direct cost to the City because much of the required match will come from in-kind contributions.
Gulfport resident Priscilla Kidder helped develop the project and write the grant application. She said she designed the proposal to reduce Gulfport’s financial burden.
“When I wrote this grant, I was keeping in mind, ‘How can I make it so Gulfport doesn’t spend that much money?’ because we’re suffering right now,” Kidder said.
Tampa Bay Watch will oversee the creation of the oyster reef structures, while volunteers and students will help prepare and install project materials. Grant rules allow volunteer labor, donated services, and existing City employee time to count toward Gulfport’s match.
“The $46,000 match is an in-kind match,” Kidder said. “Almost all of it — like 95% — Tampa Bay Watch is handling.”
Kidder said Gulfport budgeted about $1,500 for permitting, while qualifying engineering expenses will be reimbursed through the grant.
“We’re not going to spend $46,000 on this,” Kidder said. “Not even close.”
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That’s not all that happened at the July 21 Gulfport City Council meeting. Read about the Casino Dock Project, Lions Club demolition, new welcome sign, planning support, proposed tax rate, utility billing system, and what we overheard.
Project Will Take Two Years
Gulfport will coordinate the project with Tampa Bay Watch, Geosyntec, and regulatory agencies.
The first phase will focus on design and permitting, with required deliverables due by June 30, 2027. The second phase will include installation and monitoring, with deliverables due by Dec. 31, 2028. The agreement expires March 31, 2029.
Installation Will Wait for Marina Docks
Construction of the shoreline improvements will not begin until Gulfport’s marina dock reconstruction provides boaters with another location to secure their dinghies.
Veterans Park currently serves as a shoreline access point for dinghies while the City rebuilds its marina docks. Mayor Karen Love said the City will avoid overlapping the shoreline project with the marina closure.
“We’re not going to do it until we have a place for you to park your dinghy,” Love said.
The City does not expect the Veterans Park installation and marina dock closure to overlap.
The Gulfport City Council’s next meeting is Aug. 4 at 6 p.m.
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