Dania Beach Breaks Ground

Addressing the street flooding challenge is a top priority for the City of Dania Beach. In recent times, the weather has thrown unexpected challenges, highlighting the vulnerability of stormwater drainage systems. Flash floods are no longer exclusive to tropical storms; they occur anytime extremely heavy rainfall and king tides overwhelm the existing Infrastructure.

With funding finally in place, the first phase of the historic Southeast Drainage Project commenced on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. with a groundbreaking ceremony at Southeast Third Street immediately west of Southeast Fifth Avenue, Dania Beach, Florida.

“This multi-million-dollar project is the largest public investment our city has ever made,” said Dania Beach Mayor A. J. Ryan IV. “We were able to secure funding from a multitude of sources and the approval from various local, county, state and federal agencies and tribes to finally get started.”

The first phase of the new project includes the installation of approximately 5,000 linear feet of solid drainage pipe, a new pump station, 12 injection wells, and swale improvements.

The current drainage system in the southeast area of the city, equipped with pumps, is designed to transfer rainwater from streets to nearby mangroves, and is actively engaged, but no longer effective. There are three pump stations in the southeast section that automatically activate depending on the water levels in the system.

“Due to the extent of flooding experienced this year, pumping water from the most affected streets to nearby areas is no longer effective, as the drainage system is interconnected, and water flows back into lower-elevation regions in the southeast neighborhood,” said Dincer Ozaydin, Deputy Director and City Engineer, Public Services Department.

The project is divided into two geographical phases (north and south). Phase one (north) is expected to be completed in 2026, and phase two (south) completion is yet determined. Phase one will include the following area: Southeast 3rd Street to Southeast 4th Street, Southeast 2nd Avenue to Southeast 5th Avenue. Phase two will include SE 4th Terrace to Southeast 7th Street. Southeast 2nd Avenue to Southeast 5th Avenue.

Overall, the project (two phases) cost is $32 million, and it includes funding sources from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection – Resilient Florida Grant in the amount of $3,480,000.00, Broward County – Transportation Surtax funding of $7,212,000.00, and City funding at $21,308.000.

The contractor, Ric-Man Construction will place signs and post notices door-to-door prior to any work affecting residents. Dania Beach Project Manager, John Quintero, asks for residents to remain patient during construction.

Dania Beach has completed and is working on many other stormwater Infrastructure projects throughout the city and is in the final phase of modeling a stormwater master plan.