St. Augustine’s capital project list is offering a clearer picture of where the city is directing public dollars over the next several years, with major work planned or underway on stormwater systems, seawalls, utilities, roads, sidewalks, public safety facilities and wastewater infrastructure. During a May 11 special meeting, city staff presented a mid-year Capital Improvement Plan update to the St. Augustine City Commission, outlining projects that are under construction, in design, in permitting or planned for future years. The discussion showed the city moving on multiple fronts at once, with some projects expected to wrap up this year and others stretching into 2027, 2028 and 2029. The projects vary in size and location, but many share a common goal: improving the city’s ability to handle flooding, sea-level rise, high tides, stormwater and aging infrastructure.
Avenida Menendez Seawall
One of the most visible projects is the Avenida Menendez seawall, where construction is underway along one of the city’s most recognizable waterfront corridors. Staff said rehabilitation of the existing wall is complete, including work related to spalling and cracking concrete, while construction continues south of the marina. The project is expected to be complete by the end of 2026, though work could extend into early 2027. The Avenida Menendez Seawall work is a FEMA-funded effort to protect the original 1800s seawall and surrounding historic downtown from erosion and storm surge. A related FDOT seawall replacement along State Road A1A, from the Bridge of Lions to Charlotte Street, is also scheduled to begin in mid-2026 after officials identified extensive deterioration in the existing wall. The scale and location of the work have made the seawall both an infrastructure project and a public-facing issue, with concerns from some residents about the project’s effect on the look of the historic bayfront.
Lake Maria Sanchez
Lake Maria Sanchez project is a comprehensive stormwater effort that includes pump stations, flood walls and drainage upgrades intended to reduce flooding from rain and tidal events. The area that would benefit includes roughly 200 acres of historic downtown. Staff said the city has divided the work into two phases. Phase one includes Bridge Street and the area north of it, including Cordova and Granada streets. Phase two includes the area south of Lake Maria Sanchez, with a pumping station and wall. Phase one is approximately 65 percent designed. Jacksonville Today previously reported that the lake has been on the city’s radar for more than a decade, with St. Augustine Chief Resilience Officer Jessica Beach explaining that water from a 200-acre area drains to Lake Maria Sanchez and has limited places to go.
King Street
The King Street Complete Street project remains in design, with staff reporting that the city is finalizing 60 percent design and expects final design to be complete in summer 2027. The project is a major redesign of one of downtown St. Augustine’s busiest corridors, with construction expected in 2028. The project is intended to improve safety, traffic flow and walkability, and it has drawn attention because King Street serves multiple users: drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, visitors, businesses and regional trail connections.
South Whitney and West King Stormwater Project
The South Whitney and West King Street stormwater project is under construction. Some work has already been completed to meet a Florida Department of Environmental Protection permit deadline. Remaining construction is expected to continue through 2028.
The proposed improvements consist of raising South Whitney St. and West King St. above the FEMA flood elevation of 7.0’ NAVD88, replacing the existing box culvert (40-inch by 56 inch) at South Whitney with a single box culvert (48-inch by 96-inch) that doubles the hydraulic capacity. The project also includes reconstruction of the existing storm sewer system and its outfall at the box culvert on South Whitney Street.
The project goal to eliminate flooding during the 100-year FEMA flood event for West King St. and South Whitney St. by raising both roads at, or above, the 100-year floodplain elevation. In addition to the surge-driven FEMA 100-year flood event, during significant storm events, the box culvert at South Whitney St. restricts the flow of stormwater, creating flooding on the upstream side of the box culvert on South Whitney St. This flooding results in stormwater overtopping South Whitney St. and a portion of West King St. where these streets intersect making these streets impassable.
Court Theophelia Stormwater and Utility Improvements
The Court Theophelia project is under construction and expected to be complete in July 2026. The project includes stormwater improvements, roadway pavement replacement, gravity sewer upgrades and potable water system upgrades. The neighborhood work is necessary because saltwater inundation has contributed to street deterioration, while older water and sewer utilities also need replacement. The project includes roadway pavement replacement, gravity sewer upgrades, potable water system upgrades and stormwater improvements.
South Davis Shores Stormwater Improvements
In South Davis Shores, the city is also moving forward with stormwater improvements. The project is about 75 percent designed and is currently in permitting with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the St. Johns River Water Management District. During the May 11 city commission meeting, staff explained that the South Davis Shores project is focused primarily on rainfall-driven flooding, though it also includes tidal flooding components. Neighborhood stormwater systems discharge to the river, which means tidal water can back up into inlets, culverts and streets during king tides and nor’easters. To address that, the city is evaluating tide check valves, which allow stormwater to drain out while reducing tidal backflow into the system.
The city’s broader tide check valve program is also ongoing. The valves are a tool to help prevent saltwater from backing up into stormwater drainage systems during high tides, reducing nuisance or “sunny day” flooding in vulnerable areas. Davis Shores has been identified in prior resiliency work as one of the city’s more vulnerable residential areas for tidally influenced flooding.
Inlet Drive Shoreline Resiliency
Inlet Drive, a shoreline resiliency project, is ahead of schedule and expected to be complete in July 2026. The project is an effort to protect the coastline from storms and sea-level rise, with planning that includes a living shoreline concept. Project information also includes improvements to the existing seawall and stormwater upgrades.
Lift Station Replacements
The city is planning replacement work for lift stations 8, 9 and 41. Design is scheduled, with construction estimated to begin in 2028. Lift Station 8 is one of the city’s older remaining dry-well can stations, using technology dating back several decades.
The projects may move together or be phased depending on funding and scheduling.
Septic-to-Sewer and Gravity Sewer Expansion
The city continues to fund septic-to-sewer connections and gravity sewer expansion in West Augustine and surrounding areas. The city sets aside $250,000 annually to connect existing homes to existing sewer. Larger capital projects are also used to extend gravity sewer into areas that do not currently have it. According to the May 11 update, the city has connected 181 homes to gravity sewer in West Augustine neighborhoods through those combined efforts.
The Pearl Street gravity sewer project is complete and connected 42 homes. The city has also completed a West Augustine master plan and hydraulic model, which is being used to identify future sewer projects. Lee and Irving streets have been identified as a priority project that could connect an estimated 136 existing homes to gravity sewer. Collier Heights has also been identified as a future project, though design has not yet begun.
Volusia Woods Extension is in design and approximately 30 percent complete. Staff said that project is estimated to connect 11 existing homes and 18 adjacent homes associated with a Habitat for Humanity project. Poinsettia Avenue is another newer utility project in design, with the city reviewing a consultant proposal.
Sidewalk and Street Improvements
The South Whitney, Anderson and South Dixie sidewalk project has reached 100 percent design for phase one, which includes the South Dixie portion. The city is working to obtain permanent and temporary easements needed for construction. The city’s annual pavement management program is also continuing, with $900,000 committed again this year. Paving is expected to begin this summer. The city uses pavement condition data and resident feedback to help determine which streets are included. Sidewalk and mobility improvements are also included in the capital plan.
Other Projects
The Tolomato parking lot project is in final design. The city is pursuing archaeological services because of the sensitivity of the area.
The city is also evaluating a Class I municipal injection well to comply with state requirements to eliminate non-beneficial surface water discharge from wastewater treatment operations by 2032.
The Sevilla Street brick roadway and utility improvement project is well into construction. Staff said the water main work is complete, stormwater work is wrapping up and the next step is installation of the new brick surface. The project is on schedule.
The Island Fire Station replacement is also moving forward. Staff said the project is 60 percent designed, with construction estimated to begin in 2027 and continue through 2029.
