Commissioners Greenlight Channel Clearing Project
Madeira Beach officials have moved forward with plans to address the problematic sand buildup in John's Pass by approving a dredging contract worth approximately $1.29 million.
The city secured state funding of about $1.5 million in 2023 specifically for this initiative. According to project documents, the accumulation has created multiple hazards, including damage to infrastructure, risks to public safety, and negative impacts on tourism revenue.
Public Works director Megan Wepfer explained during the November 25 meeting that the original proposal involved expensive transportation of dredged material to the county landfill. Instead, city staff developed an alternative approach.
"After we acquired the property and after doing inspections at the new property, (Community Development director) Marci (Forbes) had a great idea that we would take the sand to that property and we would grade the property properly, because right now it's not graded very well," Wepfer said.
The alternative plan involves using a recently acquired 4.5-acre parcel at 555 150th Avenue as a disposal site. This sand, while unsuitable for beach nourishment due to shell content, works perfectly for site elevation projects.
This innovative solution resulted in significant savings, with the alternate bid coming in nearly $1.7 million lower than the original proposal. After covering construction engineering and inspection services, the city expects to have remaining funds from the state appropriation.
Mayor Anne-Marie Brooks commended the staff's approach to this long-term project, stating, "Good job, because this has taken forever through no fault of yours, so I'm happy to see it coming to an end."
Local Business Concerns
Business representatives attending the meeting expressed growing concerns about the channel conditions. The sand accumulation has narrowed the waterway, increasing current strength and creating dangers for both recreational and commercial vessels.
Dylan Hubbard, vice president and co-owner of Hubbard's Marina, emphasized the urgency during public comments, saying, "I just fully support moving forward on this as soon as we can to get the relief that John's Pass desperately needs from that sand buildup underneath the bridge."
He noted that external projects have accelerated the problem, explaining, "Right now, we're seeing the sand buildup at an exponential rate due to that beach renourishment project. ... The sooner this project can get rolling, the less sand will be there."
Project Timeline and Permits
The dredging operation will focus on removing sand from the north side of John's Pass inlet and the northern shoal area, restoring proper water depth and flow.
Work is scheduled to begin in January, though the exact start date depends on completion of Pinellas County's ongoing dredging project near the channel, expected to finish by December's end.
City officials have already obtained primary permits from both the Army Corps of Engineers and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Final steps include securing permit modifications and obtaining county approval for the new sand disposal location.
