St. Pete Beach commissions $1.5 million sewer upgrades after storm damage

St. Pete Beach commissioners approved a plan on Tuesday to repair three sewage lift stations damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. The city will spend approximately $1.5 million on construction work intended to keep the wastewater system operating during future storms. The projects cover stations located in Belle Vista, near Corey Avenue, and in Pass-a-Grille.

Following Hurricane Milton, storm surge flooded electrical equipment at the city’s pumping stations. Residents were instructed to stop flushing toilets, showering, and washing dishes until crews could restore service. Then-Mayor Adrian Petrila stated at the time that the sewer system was at a complete standstill. Officials warned that continued water use could cause sewage to back up into homes, and it took more than a week to restore normal operations using temporary generators.

Public Services Director Camden Mills presented the rehabilitation plans to the commission. The design raises electrical controls above the base flood elevation at each site. The city will also install elevated platforms to support permanent backup generators. These structures will stand between 13 and 14 feet tall, including the generator units.

The specific costs for the construction are $514,000 for Lift Station 7 at Belle Vista Triangle Park, $541,000 for Lift Station 10 at Fisherman’s Park, and $500,000 for Lift Station 4 near Pass-a-Grille Marina. The work is funded through the city’s wastewater utility. Officials expect the projects to be completed by July 2027.

Residents in Belle Vista discussed the placement of the new structure near a residential entrance. Greg Premer, a local resident, told commissioners that the neighborhood was unhappy about the size of the addition. He described the structure as being the size of a large garage. Despite the local pushback, Premer acknowledged that the work benefits the broader community. City staff selected the current design to avoid $160,000 in additional underground utility relocation costs.

Commissioners debated whether to include neighborhood beautification requests, such as wood-look fencing and a monument sign. Mayor Scott Tate argued that the city’s savings allowed for some of these costs. Commissioner Jon Maldonado suggested that the amenities should be funded separately since they are not essential to the station's operation. The commission approved the Belle Vista project and agreed to revisit the beautification requests in June 2027.

At the Pass-a-Grille site, the new equipment sits in the public right of way at the end of 20th Avenue. This location is between The Wharf restaurant and Pass-a-Grille Marina. The marina uses a large mechanical boat lift in the area. City staff recommended removing fencing and adjusting the curb to reduce the risk of collision. Maldonado supported these changes to ensure the station remains safe and accessible to neighboring businesses.