St. Petersburg Gives Green Light to $147,000 Study for Flood Gate System To Protect Multiple Neighborhoods

City officials backed a $147,451 deal with Jacobs Engineering Group on Sept. 24. The firm will study flood gate installations to shield neighborhoods from rising waters and storm surges.

Two gates might go up in Shore Acres: one at Canal #7 near 46th Avenue, another at Bayou Grande Boulevard Northeast. The system would shield areas east of 16th Street through connected waterways.

"This will bring relief to just a phenomenal amount of people," said Councilmember Mike Harting, according to St. Pete Catalyst.

Nine areas would get protection: Edgemoor, Placido Bayou, Euclid Heights, Harris Park, Allendale, Shore Acres, plus sections of Northeast Park, Magnolia Heights, and Snell Isle. These spots took hits from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Brejesh Prayman, who runs engineering improvements, pointed out a key benefit. "For each six inches of that waterbody, we're talking about 52 million gallons of storage capacity," he said.

Like New Orleans, the gates would use sensors or remote controls. When storms hit, they'd block surges while keeping drainage systems working.

The study will check two more spots for gates. The team needs to know if the new Overlook Bridge at Smacks Bayou could support a flood gate.

Councilmember Brandi Gabbard voiced local concerns about which areas get help first. "Water finds a way. Water is always going to have to dissipate somewhere else," she stated.

Prayman stressed this isn't set in stone. The team wants to avoid fixing one spot just to flood another. They'll study gate width needs and effects on water quality.

A new website will show findings through aerial shots, neighborhood input, and fix options. Claude Tankersley from Public Works thinks this "story map" should be ready in October.

Gabbard made it clear: approving the study doesn't mean gates will go up. "Because we are a coastal community, we are never going to keep all the water out of our city. We all have to learn to adapt and get really prepared for the future," she said.