The City of Sarasota has officially mobilized crews to begin long-awaited infrastructure repairs at major waterfront parks, marking a critical new phase in the city’s recovery from the devastating one-two punch of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024.
Crucially, the absence of a major storm threat during the 2025 season has provided the City with a necessary reprieve. This fortunate pause in hurricane activity is allowing the City to focus its full resources and attention on restoration work, ensuring the community’s vital public assets are repaired and resilient ahead of the critical winter tourist season.
While local businesses and tourism have largely rebounded since the storms—with Sarasota once again welcoming visitors—the City emphasized that substantial repairs are still necessary for public facilities and coastal amenities, which bore the brunt of the Category 3 and 4 storms.
Milton, which made landfall near Siesta Key as a Category 3 storm on October 9, 2024, just 13 days after Hurricane Helene battered the coast with significant storm surge, left Sarasota County with an estimated $440 million in overall damages. The City’s own recovery costs are projected to reach $50 million, with over $12.45 million dedicated specifically to parks and piers.
Initial Construction Phase Begins at Key Parks
The City’s first major efforts are now underway, with crews mobilizing for the current construction phase at two critical waterfront locations:
- Whitaker Gateway Park: Crews mobilized this week to begin the $1.5 million restoration work, focusing on repairs to the seawall, sidewalks, and landscaping. The project, for which the City has approved permits and completed 100% of the design plans, is slated for a construction start in late 2025/early 2026.
- Bayfront Park: Next week, crews are expected to begin work on the $1.1 million project, focusing on sidewalk replacement, shoreline restoration, and street sign repairs. While the design plans are complete, the park’s larger, federally-funded reconstruction phase remains contingent on final pending federal and state permits, with major construction anticipated to begin in early 2026.
The Scope of Restoration and Remaining Challenges
These initial projects are part of the City’s extensive catalog of 14 active restoration projects. Key assets requiring significant, multi-million dollar restorations include Bird Key Park, Ken Thompson Park, Doc and Eloise Werlin Park, and the Tony Saprito Fishing Pier.
The length of the recovery process is tied to the need for safe, sustainable rebuilding practices and adherence to regulatory requirements. City officials noted that while a quieter 2025 hurricane season is a major benefit, the recovery timeline is still impacted by:
- FEMA Reimbursement Requirements, which necessitate a rigorous process of documentation, competitive bidding, and contract administration to secure crucial federal funding.
- Environmental Protections, as many projects are located near Sarasota Bay or other sensitive coastal areas, requiring careful permitting.
- Supply Chain Disruptions for specialized materials, such as marine-grade fixtures.
Despite the complexities, the current focus on restoration is a positive step. Permanent repairs for some of the hardest-hit coastal amenities are currently estimated to be completed in a phased approach, potentially extending into late 2025, early 2026, and even early 2027 for the most extensive projects. The city remains committed to leveraging the current calm period to advance these critical projects as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Residents seeking comprehensive information on the recovery efforts, including news about permitting, bidding, and construction progress for each of the active projects, can find updates on the city’s website. On-site signage with construction notices and contact information will be distributed prior to construction at each site.
