The critical failure of aging stormwater infrastructure on St. Armands Key is posing a devastating, region-wide threat to emergency preparedness and the economic health of Sarasota County.
The immediate solution hinges on securing a $24.5 million federal grant for the St. Armands Resiliency & Flood Mitigation initiative, which the Sarasota County Commission will consider on December 16th.
The city’s system repeatedly fails, leaving St. Armands streets impassable even after storms pass. The St. Armands Residents Association (SARA) is warning that this recurring failure impacts far more than just island residents, arguing the crisis is a county-wide concern.
Why This Investment is a Regional Necessity
SARA President Chris Goglia is urging an unprecedented show of public support, stating that community leaders and residents must “scream from the mountaintops” to dispel the myth that this is a localized project. Key arguments supporting the full funding request include:
• Federal, Not Local, Money: The project is not subsidized by taxpayers in Venice, North Port, or unincorporated Sarasota County. The funds are federal dollars (CDBG-DR) intended “to repair, replace and enhance public infrastructure to mitigate future disaster risks.”
• County Responsibility: Sarasota County is bound by an interlocal agreement to maintain the city’s stormwater system, yet SARA stresses the system “repeatedly fails to remove floodwater from our streets.”
• The Evacuation Route Crisis: St. Armands is the only direct link (SR 789) between the mainland and Longboat Key, serving as the official hurricane evacuation route. Last year, flooded St. Armands streets rendered the route useless, forcing Longboat Key residents to evacuate via Manatee County—a critical failure of regional infrastructure.
• Economic Engine at Risk: The barrier islands are a major economic engine for the entire county. People from all over Sarasota County rely on the islands for work (service providers, contractors, delivery drivers) and recreation (Lido Beach, dining, arts, and tourism).
• Resiliency Over Recovery: SARA is not asking the county to stop hurricanes, but to invest in RESILIENCY so the community can “bounce back faster.” They warn that until these issues are addressed, home buyers and businesses will be hesitant to invest across the entire barrier island chain.
Critical Funding Hangs in the Balance
The $24.5 million project — designed to provide 100 years of flood protection and safeguard the 140 businesses in St. Armands Circle — is considered all-or-nothing. Goglia warns that “partial funding is unlikely to solve our resiliency problem.”
The Sarasota County Commission is scheduled to consider the grant applications at its meeting on December 16 at 9 a.m. All regional stakeholders are being urged to attend to ensure this vital project, which impacts county-wide safety and commerce, is fully funded.
